The Compliment

5 days of hospital attachment w Miss Q. And I had a good time. I wasn’t really planning to go because I’m a homebody like that, rather watching the television and reading books, being a bore, but because she made the effort to pick me up at home, I was like, well why not.

Plus it’s not like she's just anyone – she is my dad's friend's daughter.

That day, I had a patient tell me I was one of the best doctors he'd had so far. Hahaha He didn't know I am still a student.

Mr S was a patient who'd been in the ward for 5 weeks. He was young, smart and articulate.

He was also HIV positive (don't worry, I am far from infection ;p) , and they were treating him for complications of the disease. At the moment, he'd succumbed to the infection and was only recently blind. I couldn't help but pity him - like you know, just imagine a young man with many years ahead of him, only to have his vision taken away in the peak of his life.

I always enjoyed talking to him during my morning rounds, and I could tell by the way his ears picked up that surprisingly he was listening of the clack of my shoes against the hospital floor. I had fun trying to walk softer so I could surprise him and we always got a laugh out of it.

It wasn't difficult to listen to his thoughts or concerns. It wasn't that difficult to relate to the fears he was going through, and yet, somehow, masyaAllah this young man managed to maintain a positive face throughout. He never failed to tug at my heart strings.

It meant a lot to me that he thought I was good. Hahaha

I am not even into the medicine line yet. So like I am far from a good doctor - but my only advantage is the fact that I take time out to listen to them. I am lucky that I have had the opportunity to watch some truly fantastic doctors working together - I have had some truly inspirational specialists and medical officers who have been amazing, and I am thankful I've had that sort of exposure.

I am not good, but I am learning.

Thanks Mr S.

You made my day.