We visited a home care center last Friday. Left in the morning. We were all divided into groups and were told to go around and talk to the occupants and to have a look at their medical case files.
There was this one occupant (or patient. I don't really know how to classify) who has been in a semi-vegetative state for nearly 20 years due to a severe motorbike accident. His left occipital region had to be removed and he went through a tracheotomy. He's currently deaf, mute and is totally dependent for care. He couldn't talk. He couldn't do anything.
It made me realize that even as doctors there are and will always be limitations as to what we can do to help. We can help save lives but we can't always bring them back to how they used to be.
It was so, so very sad to see that man in such a condition. Sensing our presence, he was responding in his own way by moving his head and making noises. Said a silent prayer before leaving his bed side and moved on to meet the other occupants.
I have to commend the caretakers on doing such a wonderful job with these people. They're very attentive and very patient and they're doing the best they can to keep them well.
We met an elderly lady of 90 years who has been at the center for over 6 years. She was perfectly healthy but couldn't walk due to a fall. We listened to her talk about the war when the Japanese and British had taken over and she spoke of her husband, an aircraft engineer who was posted to Australia and had died (as she was expecting her second child) due to a bad fall. She had tears in her eyes as she told us all her stories and I couldn't help but to choke up. We sat with her for nearly an hour, keeping her company, asking her questions and listening to her speak. We even managed to get a picture with her (of which I will not disclose due to confidentiality reasons). Before leaving we gave her a hug each and I just couldn't stop tearing.
Bloody emotions I tell you.
I think this is why some doctors are so hard hearted. So that they won't have any emotional attachment to their patients which makes it easier for them to deal with any losses if any :/
One of the nurses at the center.
Group shot we took before we left just after noon.
I can't begin to describe to you how moved I was by meeting and talking to all these people. So many of them don't want to be where they are but have no choice because their family have no room for them or can't take care of them.
I gave dad a call as soon as I got out. And then I called mom.
I've decided not to make any plans to leave so that I can take care of the both of them. Work can wait. Family always, always comes first.
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