The world of Tzu Chi September 2020 (Vol.126)

TZU CHI 126 59 into the decision of amputating her husband’s leg. Now, his amputated limb had been infected. She became emotional and demanded tearfully, “I want to meet a specialist!” Facing helpless families After hearing her out, I did not go to the specialist immediately. I was aware that in front of me stood a hurt and helpless family member of a patient who was confiding her frustration to me, hoping I could relieve her husband’s pain. Her anger was understandable and worthy of sympathy. I apologized to her sincerely and calmly spoke to her about her husband’s condition and the ways in which we could help him. I expressed my empathy for the immense pressure she was facing, having to care for her husband round the clock. However, she had to be strong because her husband needed her. The next day, I recounted the story to the specialist and arranged for the patient’s wife to meet the attending doctor. By then, she had calmed down. Even after being transferred to another ward for duty, I would still return to visit the patient and his wife regularly. She would call out my name excitedly whenever she saw me at the stairway. Through these encounters with patients, I learned to treat every patient and their family members with empathy, respect and gratitude. They place their wholehearted trust in us or even entrust their lives and the lives of their loved ones to us and allow us to enter their lives, all because they believe in us – even if we are strangers, much less a fledgling doctor. This is such a great obligation; how could I let them down? In the midst of the hustle and bustle, I am most afraid of losing my original intention. Thankfully, I am blessed to have known Tzu Chi. I am grateful for Master Cheng Yen’s teachings, for her compassion constantly reminds me to preserve a pure, sincere heart, which is especially important for a doctor. This sincere heart determines whether I am willing to sacrifice my sleep to operate on a patient in the middle of the night; whether I am willing to spare half an hour listening to a patient talk about his pain; whether I am willing to hold the hands of a dying patient and pray for him. To become a doctor with the compassionate heart of a bodhisattva is my ultimate aim. Dr. am JiaWei • Houseman at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan • Member of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA)