Indexing Title: NALUDINOs Medical Anecdotal Report [07-08]

MAR Title: What a patient must go through

Date of Medical Observation: August 2007

Narration:

    This is the story of a man in his early thirties. He has a skin lesion in his left lower leg, for almost two years now. Initially he did not give much importance to it until it grew to a certain size that it began to bother him. He did not tell those close to him but it became a source of anxiety for him.

    He planned to consult his colleagues but never got around to it. Somehow he finally managed to get the courage and a biopsy was performed. After the incision biopsy was done, initially a sense of relief came over him. It took over one three weeks before an initial result was offered to him. During that interim period, the sense of relief turned into a time of great anxiety. Not knowing what the results will be, coupled with the long waiting time gave him sleepless nights.

    When the specimen was finally read by the Department of Pathology’s consultants and the information was relayed. It was news he was glad to receive. Good news, its just dermatitis. The ordeal was finally over. Or is it?

    Sometimes, I still think about it. Sometimes it still gives me sleepless nights. I can’t help thinking, “What if they just made an error in interpretation?” I just try to put it in the back of my mind. I must find some peace.

Insights (Physical, Psychosocial, Ethical) (Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcements):

    This story is about me. It is a narration of what I went through. It reflects not just my experience but the experience of a patient.

    I never thought it would happen to me, being a doctor and all. But indeed, I was reluctant to seek consult. Maybe I was afraid of something, afraid of the possible diagnosis. When I did summon enough courage, I was put through something I wish no patient would ever go through, waiting.

    The seemingly endless time, waiting for the result of the biopsy, was indeed a source of great anxiety. It did not help me nor will it help any other patient to go through that experience. That is why all effort should be made to address this problem. We should coordinate well with other doctors to facilitate such things.

    Every avenue should be exhausted to provide patients and their loved ones with the least anxiety and the most comfort during the course of their treatment.