REFLECTIONS
Reflections
LOVE REVISITED
Teresita Bacani-Oropilla, MD
I
n life, one comes across seemingly ordi-
nary people who quietly exude a sense of
purpose, kindness and gentleness, so that
one quietly falls in love with them. Here
is a tale of three ladies.
One, a physician in her seventies, had a
thriving family practice until she retired. Hav-
ing raised a family of professionals with her
husband, both took pride in their grandchildren and the life they
lived. Although she had survived breast cancer for years, a time came
when it returned with a vengeance and hospice had to take over. Her
wish was to be kept aware of the world around her until she died.
We wonder if this was feasible. Did she hear her family converg-
ing around her when she was leaving this earthly world or were
the discussions more about the dosage of medications to keep her
quiet? No one will ever know.
The second was a lovely religion teacher of the Muslim faith.
Lively, beautiful and learned, she believed and taught goodness to
one’s neighbor. She helped her husband and children negotiate the
hectic life of a sports-driven existence despite living years battling
a crippling invasive sarcoma.
At the latest bout of hospitalization, everyone believed that her
organ systems had finally failed, that she was dying with about two
weeks left, at most.
Not so fast! “They did everything for me,” she said as she smiled
while FaceTiming a friend. Does she have a few or many more
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
smiling days ahead? She has now survived the holiday season. How
long that will last, we don’t know either.
The third was a quiet widow known for serving coffee to the
after-morning mass groups even after her beloved retired husband
had passed away. She quit after becoming too weak from the ravages
of leukemia. She became a model of patience and continued emo-
tional support to family and friends as she followed the transfusion
protocols. On Christmas Day, she suddenly joined her husband in
eternal peace and rest.
These ladies left many bereft at their passing, even just the
thought of losing them.
The subjects of love and death are difficult to deal with. Although
inevitable, we tend to shy away from thinking, discussing, or plan-
ning for our last days. But, indeed “Death comes like a thief in the
night.” And we should take heed.
In the meantime, we do and should celebrate love and life while
we can. It comes in many forms - love of God, of country, of lovers,
of family, and yes, of our enemies too, but mostly of those quiet,
unobtrusive people that surround us.
Have you said “I love you” to someone today? It gives a warm
fuzzy feeling in one’s heart.
TRY IT!
Sweet Valentine’s Day 2019!
Dr. Bacani-Oropilla is a retired psychiatrist.