Mar II

JONATHAN MALABANAN M.D.

Surgery Resident

Ospital Ng Maynila Medical Center

MEDICAL ANECDOTAL REPORT

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The Virtue of Readiness

(March 2007)

Narration

I had a Sunday-off two weeks ago and was in a relaxed mood. It was a nice change for I was not required to wake up at 5:30 in the morning for the early bird endorsement. I had allotted the time to visit my grandmother and other members of my family. At the same time, have the occasion to fulfill the assignments piling over my head. I texted my batch mate who was in the hospital for the purpose of inquiring over my patient’s progress. She informed me that I had to go on duty. Somebody took a leave of absence. My initial reaction was of incredulity. I had been looking forward to the sabbatical and did not expect it to be taken away so abruptly.

Hard as it was, I dragged myself from Laguna to OMMC. I was still sulking from the turn of events. But I told myself, you want to be a surgeon right? Then act like one! I took a deep breath and got ready for the day that awaited me…

I was checking on patients and making my ward rounds when my senior resident approached me. “Nakapag-appendectomy ka na ba?” he asked. I have not. “Get ready. You’re doing one tonight.” he said. This is what I have been waiting and preparing for since the year begun. Although I have memorized the basic step by step procedure, I was still in awe. My palms were sweaty and my heart was racing. No matter how I tried preparing myself for the eventual course of this training, I am still terrified of it. But I also felt excitement. I am about to climb a step from the ladder of my residency training. I am about to feel how every surgeon feels when operating.

On top of the mixed emotions, I have another problem. The patient could not be classified. Therefore, operation needs would not be supplied by the hospital. I exhausted every option available in the hospital to acquire what was needed for the appendectomy. It was futile since the stocks have been depleted. It was impossible for them to purchase the materials either. Through experience, I have prepared an “emergency” kit of operation needs for cases like this. I was able to perform the appendectomy.

Insight (Physical, Psychosocial, Ethical) (Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcement)

Residency training is hard. No matter how we sugar-coat it, the fact still remains true. Most of the time, we have to sacrifice our time and pleasure.

One never knows when one will be called in. This is especially factual in the training to becoming a surgeon. Thus, the implication of preparation and readiness is extremely important – physically, mentally and emotionally. I have learned that I have to step up to what is required and expected of me at a moment’s notice. Hesitation may indicate weakness, lost of interest or deficiency of appropriate knowledge.

In our profession, it is mandatory that we be ready for any challenges that stream in daily. Faltering over a decision may mean the difference between life and death for a patient. Readiness is a virtue we must all learn to develop, because it is not only a reflection of our persona, but also our commitment to becoming the best that we can be.

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