EMPATHY, GRATITUDE AND A BOND OF A LIFETIME.

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Fifteen years back, a frail 59 years old man was referred to me by a physician. He was a poor man, habituated to tobacco for years. He walked in with a mortal fear of the white patches in his mouth. He dreaded that he had cancer. His deep, sunken eyes spoke a lot more about his fear that his words couldn't do justice to.

  This is a story of a patient who touched my life beautifully...

  I medicated and counselled him. It didn't take much efforts to convince him on giving up tobacco. Three weeks down the line he had kicked his addiction. I got to know that he had little money for the medicines that i prescribed. His sons didn't get along well with him. He was a severely stressed man with little resources and even lesser hope.

  Despite being called for follow up every 15 days, he used to turn up every fifth ..sixth day. I realised the fear of an imagined 'Cancer' was lurking in his mind.

I stopped charging him and always helped him with whatever free drug samples i could give and counselled him everytime.

  Six months later, he was a changed man - fitter, happier and relieved that his white patches had gone. The fear of the lurking cancer was gone.

  One day as i walked out of my OPD, he was waiting. "Mai retire ho gaya ab", he told. "Ab se mai roj dawakhane ke bahar baitha rahunga, koi kam ho to bata dena". I told him that there was no work that i could offer him. He was adamant, "Fir bhi mai roj aaunga". He came and sat daily. He wanted to repay my 'debt'.

  One fine day, he asked for my car keys from my attendant and cleaned my car. Aghast, I gave him money. He didn't accept.

I felt a little bad that he wasn't taking money. So i decided to ask him to wash my car every 3 days but only if he agreed to take money. Gradually, he began doing menial chores and started maintaing the premises.

"Kaka" as we all called him slowly became a part of our clinic.

  15 yrs have passed, kaka is old now, he still comes daily. Me and his sons have repeatedly persuaded him not to work now. He says, "Mai yaha roj nahi aya to jaldi marr jaunga". My family and staff adore him. It pains to see an old man work even if its menial but we let him do it. It sustains him mentally. It makes him emotionally stronger and happy. We, on our part, do whatever we can for him.

  What began as a Doctor - Patient relationship, slowly transformed into a heart warming one. Not every bond in this world can be given a name. Some relationships transcend wordly emotions. They are much deeper and stronger than they actually seem.

That's the power of empathy and gratitude. Kaka is an epitome of gratefulness, hardwork and dedication. His humility is humbling. There is so much to learn from him.

  We all have so much to give to this world and in return we have so much more to get. I will forever be indebted to God for making him a part of my life.