Everything’s Not Lost After All

At this stage of my medical education, I have seen my fair share of small life miracles. But nothing, I swear, nothing has prepared me for this little magic. Here goes…

I was in a Neurology Clinic, clerking patients and presenting them to my scary consultant. Seriously, neuro goddesses are so freaking hard to impress. Then, I called my next patient in and a young couple in their mid thirties, slowly walked in, hand in hand. I’m calling the husband “Mr A”.

It was like any other consultation, except I could feel that something was a bit off with my patient, the wife. She looked perfectly normal but after clerking her, I realised that she had learning difficulties. It was subtle but it became more pronounced as the conversation progressed.

Meanwhile, Mr A’s loving eyes never left her face. He looked at her so adoringly, so patiently. It was a difficult consultation, but her husband was so kind to her. The whole time, Mr A wasn’t the least bit condescending, he didn’t apologise for her shortcomings, he treated her like she wasn’t different. He was being supportive without being overbearing.

I must confess the whole thing nearly brought me to tears. There I was, in a small clinic room in rural London, witnessing the best love story anyone could ask for! I’ve seen patients with learning difficulties before and usually they come accompanied by a family member or a carer.

Marriage is purely by choice not chance, and the fact that he chose to spend the rest of his life caring for her, was amazing! All the obstacles that they have been through to build a life for each other, a family! Society isn’t always kind and I could only imagine the journey they’ve been through!

Life is not about fairy tales or happy endings, it’s always the journey. That day, Mr A taught me the true meaning of sacrifice. Caring selflessly for someone who might not be able to comprehend the full extent of his love. No amount of monetary or self gain could possibly could compensate his kindness! Mr A has gained my respect and it was so refreshing to see there’s humanity left in this world.

In my line of work, I often see the opposite; an old lady caring for herself as her children has all left her, a broken marriage, a terminal illness getting in the way of happiness, to name a few. I used to feel a pang of sadness when I hear those stories but now I don’t even flinch when they happen.

I hope Mr A would have the strength to care for this young lady till her dying breath. That’s more important in life isn’t it? Knowing someone has your back, no matter what happen, in sickness and in health? Someone to shoulder your worries when life gets hard, to keep you safe? I’m pretty sure designer bags, latest shoes, grand weddings, or a supercar, or whatever material beings could possibly compete with that.

Isn’t it powerful that something so ordinary could touch you in ways that you never imagined? This might sound so cliche but at times like this I feel that my hardwork has paid off. To see life’s little miracles when you least expect it. Alhamdulilah, Allah swt sent this special surprise my way to keep from turning me into a cynic.

Neurology is freaking hard but it has made me stop and think, how beautiful the human brain is. I guess it’s important to keep your heart and mind as clean and pure as you can, as it’s your pair of eyes to the world. And your brain, some people might be clever on paper but has no common sense whatsoever. Life is so much more meaningful when you spend it with people who has hearts as pure as gold, with good intentions. I think the world could do with a handful of Mr As. ☺