8 Life Lessons My Patients have taught Me.

The hospital is a place you learn #life lessons. Spending the better part of one’s life in the hospital environment means one gets to notice and learn a few things by interracting with both patients and their relatives. These are a few life lessons I’ve learned:

1. SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY

Its no use not letting a loved one realise how much you care for him or her because there may come a time the person would not really understand anymore, or be able to reciprocate. One sees this a lot of times with stroke patients who are either unconscious or have some form of memory impairment.

2. DON’T LET THE SUN SET ON AN ARGUMENT

A number of times, patients who present very sick have had one form of argument with relatives who have moved on with their lives without knowing the present state of #health of the patient.

3. A FRIEND MAY STICK CLOSER THAN A BROTHER

Sometimes, it is a concerned neighbour that brings a patient to the hospital rather than a family member.

4. MONEY AIN’T A THING

In ill health, the attraction of money easily diminishes and one finally remembers there are other more important things in life.

5. PERSISTENCE PAYS

It is a joy to see a patient determined to get better against all odds, regardless if he has to wait hours to see a doctor or perform myriads of tests. If only we tackled life with such fortitude.

6. A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE

Do what you have to do now to prevent future complications. Start that exercise, stop smoking, start that nutrition health program, get that healthcare plan.

7 FAMILIAR STRANGERS

Two people may live in the same house and know little about each other. I’m always amazed when a relative doesn’t know what drugs a patient staying with them has been taking or where and when their relative goes for hospital appointments.

8. GOOD SAMARITANS STILL EXIST

In this day and age with all sorts of security and health threats, people still stop along their way to help a sick person to the hospital.