26/11/2025
DAY OFF
In one of my home visits, I was called for an emergency to a nearby block. I was supposed to be there only to vaccinate a child but ended up answering an emergency. To my surprise, someone committed su***de. He took an overdose of medicines.
No heart rate, no breathing, I rendered CPR with the frantic mother. Finally, I felt a pulse but breathing was abnormal.
I attempted to carry him to no avail as I felt my spine cracked. I forgot, I have been too used to attending to children. This is a full grown adult.
Eventually, we called the guard on duty. I drove the patient to the nearest ER while advising the mother to breathe for the patient since his respiration was depressed.
At the ER, I left the family at the hands of the doctor on duty. I later called the ER and was informed that he was admitted at the ICU, thankfully alive.
Later that day, my back was in severe pain. I took the day off. I was worried for my back but it was an unlikely break I badly needed. Some of my reflections were:
1. I am getting too old for this, and I probably need to hit the gym if I want to do more. But any day, the Lord might just call me to attend to an emergency.
2. Call for help. Sometimes burdens are best carried with the help of others. There is a limit in our capacity to carry weight and workloads.
3. I have remained anonymous to the man / family but deep down I scanned through their house while doing CPR. It occurred to me that this man somehow forgot to take care of himself....How ironic, that's how we usually are as healthcare providers. Others come first, saying no to a patient and resting is not an option.
4. While Jesus was very accommodating He set boundaries, took a rest and prayed. To my dear patients, cut-offs, long waiting time and appointment cancellations are inconvenient but sometimes doctors just need to rest.
5. To the mothers, fathers and adolescents, myself included, let's reach out if we need help and value our day off :)
6. Saying no and a day off is acknowledging that saving lives and our precious life is God's work and not ours to claim.