It has been six weeks into my internship. Working with
patients suffering from cancer has been draining, difficult, but surprisingly
fulfilling. So far, I have found it a constant amazement at how humble and appreciative
patients and family members alike can be, in the face of such an overwhelming disease.
I was handed a case-file for a Mrs Tan. She was suffering from the last stages of lung cancer. Moreover, she was also suffering from kidney failure. The doctors posited that she only had weeks to live, and had called in the Medical Social Work department to see to the emotional well-being of the patient, as well as the family.
I was handed a case-file for a Mrs Tan. She was suffering from the last stages of lung cancer. Moreover, she was also suffering from kidney failure. The doctors posited that she only had weeks to live, and had called in the Medical Social Work department to see to the emotional well-being of the patient, as well as the family.
Mrs Tan’s family was hard to get a hold of - neither responding
to phone-calls, nor visiting Mrs Tan at regular hours. I resorted to routinely
visiting her ward during lunch times.
I finally managed to meet Derrick, Mrs Tan’s son, in the
ward. We decided to speak outside the ward, in view of the patients. I
introduced myself as a Medical Social Work intern, and that I was here to find out what ways I could be of assistance to his family. I found Derrick to
be a filial son, who was also fully apprised of his mother’s situation. He was
sorrowful, but had accepted the inevitability of his mother’s condition.
At one point, he mentioned that he had trouble managing the
costs of his mother’s medical expenses – especially the hospital stay coupled
with her kidney dialysis. I felt it prudent to advise him that he was ineligible for financial
aid due to his high income. He turned his head and laughed softly to himself.
However, when he turned back, his voice was raised as he asked, “THEN WHAT HELP
CAN YOU GIVE ME?!”
What could I have done wrong?
