Fighting Alongside Warriors

Last Saturday, I was reading about diabetes mellitus in a coffee shop. This topic hits close to home because my father has diabetes, hypertension, gout, and post-surgery thyroid cancer. If you met my dad, you wouldn't think of him as sick but truth is, he takes nine maintenance medications. These nine maintenance medications have been reduced to five, but he knows and we know that these meds will never go away for the rest of his earthly life.

I was reading Harrison's and I was on the verge of tears. When I looked up to rest my eyes, I found myself crying. I felt embarrassed to cry publicly in a coffee shop but I can't help it; knowing that diabetes and hypertension accelerate end-stage renal disease reminded me just how limited we are as people and most especially as doctors. I sent a text message to my dad saying that although we don't hold our lives, we can make the most out of our time here.

Thirty minutes later, my father replied to my text. This was unlikely of him since he replies to text messages right away. His reply was; "I love you, too, anak. Lingi kay naa ko sa imong luyo." (I love you, too, my child. Look behind you, I'm just here.) His mere presence reminded me of my purpose for becoming a medical doctor. Before anything else, my purpose is to take good care of my family, to teach them ways to prevent complications of diseases, to take care of their quality of life.

I study not for myself, not only for my future patients, but at present, primarily for my family. In times when I think I can't go on and fight for my grades, I remember the unwavering support and the undying love of my family.

I remember my Papa Boie who is doing his best to fight against complications with good compliance to doctor's advice. By all means, I want to fight with him as his personal nurse and medical student daughter. 

The journey is far from finished, there are even times when things get ridiculously hard. I'm blessed to have his words to hold on to, the message of everyone rooting for me; "I love you. Look behind you, I am just here."

Thank you. This is for all of you.