Confession of an Atypical Physician

"Atypical pneumonia is a term used to describe a form of pneumonia not caused by one of the more traditional pathogens. The term 'atypical' is used because atypical bacteria commonly affect healthier people, cause generally less severe pneumonia, and respond to different antibiotics than other bacteria." Source


A few weeks ago, I met up with a new friend. After waiting for him for several minutes, and seeing me for the first time, his first words were “Uy, ‘di ka mukhang duktor…!” (You don’t look like a doctor at all…)

I want to entertain the idea that the reason why he said that was because I look like a ramp model or a matinee idol but he was quick to say “…kasi mukha kang high school!" (…because you looked like in high school!)

It was not the first time I heard that.

Nurses in the ward would ask me how old I am because to them I have the physique of a 16-year old. They will jokingly say that I resemble somebody who’s just running an errand for his mom but then ended up having 24-hours duty in the hospital!

I can’t figure it out if it is a compliment or otherwise.

But on the other hand I admit maybe I really don’t look like a doctor—not because of my appearance but because a huge chunk of my personality and everyday life is very “un-doctor-like.” Let me share these things with you:

Generally, I don’t see myself in the future as a “hardcore physician” but, instead, I envisioned myself doing other things not related to medicine. I want to have a great family, serve the poor, be an investor, etc.

I want to put up a business that will be my main source of income (I see my medical practice as a form of service and compensation will just be secondary).

There are times I hate having patients! (if I am not in the mood!)

Sometimes, I don’t dress like a doctor. I am fond of wearing denim jeans, shirts, and sandals. There was one time I saw a patient in our house wearing only sando and shorts! (hehe!)

I am a budding entrepreneur, infopreneur, and soon I will be a financial consultant and will be in the business of educating people how money works.

Everyday I walk approximately 200-300 meters from Fatima University Medcal Center on my way home as a form of exercise (also to save money).

Before I go on duty at the hospital, I drop by at the chapel and ask for His guidance. After my duty, I say my thanks to God. I tithe. I pray the rosary with my family every evening. I even say a prayer before I insert an intravenous line (so that I won’t miss—but I miss the vein anyway!)

And there are a lot more!

Yes, I am a doctor. Unconventional, sometimes even radical!

Lesson from the E.R.

I remember an incident when I was having a duty in the Emergency Room of Fatima Medical Center. There were no single patient during that time which was around 4 o' clock in the morning. Some of my colleagues were just hanging around while some were trying to get some sleep.

Suddenly a patient was brought in, unconscious. He was a male patient, probably on his early 60's, accompanied by his daughter who was crying hard. The whole E.R. rushed to the patient and we tried to resuscitate him. As we were attending to the patient, the daughter was really crying aloud, talking to her father and telling him how much she loves him. She kept on crying and talking, asking her father to wake up. She told him that she loves him very much, but to no avail, since her father was already dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Even after doing post-mortem care, the woman just keep on saying how much she loves her dad and was even praying at the side of his cadaver.

It just struck me at that instant, why just now say those words of affection when the person cannot hear you anymore. Since then, I tried to kiss my mom every morning. I tried to hug my dad every now and then. I use "sorry" and "thank you" as often as I could because I don't want to come to a point when it will be all too late because those words are being addressed to a lifeless person.

iSTETHOSCOPE

"Sumus nihil nisi instrumenti salubres*."

Hello!My Name is Jan Edward Sayco, M.D. I recently graduated from the college of medicine of Our Lady of Fatima University, a medical school in the Philippines, and currently undergoing a 1-year training as a post-graduate intern at Fatima University Medical Center before I can take my licensure exam.

I'm glad you (somehow) stumbled upon my blog. Join me here as I share to you my different adventures (and misadventures) while living the life of an up-and-coming physician.

I will share to you my triumphs and victories.

I will bare to you my down-moments and defeats.

I will relay significant milestones and mundane moments of my everyday life.

All of these in my hope that, in one way or another, I'll share to you something that you can treasure and so fulfill my life's greatest dream - to be an instrument of healing.

P.S. I'll also share some significant, exciting, interesting facts about health, medicine and other related topics so please watch out for that.

* "I am nothing but an instrument of healing."