OPINION 23
ausdoc . com . au 11 OCTOBER 2024
OPINION 23
Insight
Heartsink and sailing ships
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patient admitted she was “ just a bit |
Good luck : The bug was resist- |
myeloma , he reconnected with a |
can and another can , using your |
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sniffly ” and had been exposed to |
ant to five antibiotics . |
childhood friend , who reminisced |
dad ’ s post hole digger to bury it |
Dr Pam Rachootin GP in Adelaide , SA . |
respiratory syncytial virus through her grandchildren .
She had also recently returned
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Of the other three drugs available for treatment , one has to be given intravenously , one is saved |
about past pleasures . “ If I ever experienced having a best friend , it was growing up |
in the backyard and then digging it up a week later because we just couldn ’ t wait for the future . |
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from travel overseas . |
for superbugs as a last resort and I |
with you ,” he told my husband . |
“ Among our many blessings , |
AI will never replace our connections as human beings . |
I told her I wanted to send off a respiratory panel PCR swab .
To which she said , “ Oh , I never thought of COVID-19 . Doesn ’ t anyone just get a cold anymore ?”
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had guessed the right one to start treating the infection , presumptively . Whoopee !
Friendship : After my husband ’ s diagnosis with multiple
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“ One of my favourite memories is of us creating a time capsule by writing our names on a piece of paper , wrapping it in a rag , putting it in a can , then in another |
we had a great childhood !”
My husband was comforted by his concluding words , “ The good news is we won ’ t die young ; that ship has sailed .”
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ACCORDING to the author Haruki Murakami , writing a novel is like ET assembling a transmitter out of junk in the garage .
You need to collect a lot of junk to be able to find what you need .
So , too , is writing a column , and that is why I keep a file of anecdotes .
Within my file are gems that highlight the human interaction that binds our specialty together to make it what it is .
AI will never compete with the exquisite nature of our connections as human beings .
Heartsink moment : First thing a patient says is , “ Oh , I forgot my hearing aids .”
Slapstick moment : The paramedics are on the scene , having been called for a patient complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath .
They give him a nitroglycerin tablet to put under his tongue .
He repeatedly tries to get it under his tongue without success , forgetting that he is wearing a surgical mask , resulting in outbursts of laughter by all involved .
Banter : My dentist and I have had some stressful times .
After examining my mouth , my dentist jests , “ Well , there are no dental problems , only mental problems , eh ?” “ Yes , that ’ s right .” “ Well , I can ’ t do anything about that .” “ Why can ’ t you just drill a hole and suck it all out ?” “ In your case , I ’ d have to use a vacuum cleaner .” Whenever I think back on that interaction , I can ’ t help but smile .
Dietary preferences : A vegetarian patient of mine told me about her son who loves meat .
They were discussing plans for his birthday .
“ What would you like for your cake ?”
“ Actually , I don ’ t want a cake ,” he said . “ Can I just have a huge tower of meat — hamburgers , sausages and steak heaped into a mountain with candles on top ?”
“ Well , I can definitely make you meat to eat on your birthday , but don ’ t you think your guests might like some birthday cake ?”
“ I guess ,” he said , apathetically .
Modern times : An elderly
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