Famous quotes from my patients this week…
Elderly lady, in early eighties, could hardly walk, came for heart check. I ask permission to do quick exam, and she said: “…saya ni dah nak mati ke doktor?…” (Am I going to die soon, doc?) to which I replied:
“Hmm, tu saya tak tau makcik, orang muda, lagi sihat, pun boleh mati tiba-tiba…bahagian mading-masing. Kita usaha, dan sediakan diri untuk hari tu…” (I dont have the answer, anyone, even a young healthy one may die anytime! We just have to carry on, and prepare for the day…”
Elderly man who just turned eighty, came all the way from Sabah. I told him: “Your blood pressure is a little high, you also got this irregular heart in which you opted not to have the treatment…” he interrupted: “…and I have very strong desire for sex, doc…but the ‘thing’ is weak…”
“Well” I answered; “There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, your heart is strong enough..”
“Just twice a month, doc…and I need the medicine to make the ‘thing’ stronger.”
I gladly reassured him: “Sure you can do a bit more if you like, and I will give you the meds..”
Another middle age lady, in early 60’s. Came in for risk factor screening, positive family history for heart disease. She didn’t have much really – good waist circumference, blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol all fairly normal for her age. But she has strong family history, so I keep her on atorvastatin (cholesterol medication).
“Ok Puan, kolesterol ni nampak agak ok, macamana penjagaan diet?”
She proudly answered: “Saya makan tak pantang doktor, semua boleh…”
“Hmmm…ada exercise?”
“Tidak. Malas lah, doktor”
…(scratched head…”how motivated…”)
