"I’ve missed milestones and celebrations, and been away from loved ones for extended periods of time due to being at work. Being away from family is draining; emotionally, physically & mentally."
November, 2021
“Responsibility towards my patients has been the cause of many sacrifices I made as a doctor….sacrifices that often left me questioning my choices, and wondering, ‘is this job really worth it?’ 🤷🏼♂️
I’ve missed milestones and celebrations, and been away from loved ones for extended periods of time due to being at work. Being away from family is draining; emotionally, physically & mentally.
There have been grim days- days when I would have to turn a patient down, merely because they could not afford treatment. Here I was, knowing how to cure their illness, but forced to turn them down….only for their suffering to increase. Instances such as these have been severely devastating for me.
But, as they say, dark clouds bring with them rainbows!
I cherish the countless delightful moments in my career, like when a woman I’d treated during my residency came back to the hospital 2 years later, as the relative of a patient and immediately recognised me. She expressed her gratitude for the care that she had received. This was a deeply fulfilling incident for me. It made me realise that no other profession could have brought better recognition, satisfaction or happiness to me. 💕
It is the little jiffs of mundane things like- arriving at the hospital, putting on my scrubs & discharging recovered patients that bring me the most joy. Moments like these are affirmations, that despite the difficulties, being a doctor is so worth it!”
