The world of Tzu Chi September-October 2021 (Vol.137)

TZU CHI 137 31 complicated to treat. In the face of the aggravating pandemic, we have been fighting on the frontline resolutely, while coping with emotional stress, cumbersome communication and difficult choices daily. Who will you call at the final moment of life? If impermanence is the toughest lesson in life, then I would say ICU is the best spiritual training ground. There was a 33-week pregnant lady with Covid-19. She was sent to the ICU and her conditions necessitated intubation and an emergency caesarean delivery. As intubation is usually performed under anaesthesia, chances are many patients never wake up again after the procedure. Therefore, we will let them have a video call with family members before they get intubated; and this could be their last conversation. When the pregnant lady talked to her husband, I heard an innocent voice calling “Mama, mama…” It was her three-year-old daughter. The brave young mother assured her child, “Mama loves you. Wait for mama to come home. Mama will come home with baby.” At that instant, my eyes were blurred with tears and time seemed to stand still. I could feel an energy flowing through our clasped hands. It was the trust between us, a doctor and a patient. Thankfully, the intubation and operation went well and she was extubated two days later. I remembered how we waved to each other excitedly through the glass window Dr. Tham Jia Wei, who serves at Malacca General Hospital, is also a Tzu Chi volunteer. She is seen here representing Tzu Chi KL & Selangor collegiate youths to present thank-you cards to medical personnel. [Photo by Loo Chia Chia]