“To a doctor there is no bigger reciprocation or a reward greater than a patient’s smile and their affection.”
This 76 year old 34 kg frail lady was admitted under my care 2 weeks ago with a diagnosis of severe mitral valve obstruction (Mitral Stenosis) and severe valve regurgitation with only a BP of 60/40 mm Hg and her right heart pulmonary artery pressure was severe at 80 mm Hg.
Her valve status and cardiac condition had reached a stage where an Open Heart Surgical Mitral Valve Replacement was the only option in view of an associated severe valve leak. But unfortunately she was very high-risk for Open heart surgery in view of her severe cardiac condition, age and weight!
She was so breathless she could not lie down and had to sit up all night and could not eat even a morsel of bread. I offered her a Balloon Mitral Valvotomy via the leg to which she and her very caring and supportive daughter-n law and daughter agreed because of the agony. She was diagnosed to have the valve condition several years ago and was advised an open heart surgery by the then treating doctor. But she didn’t want an open heart surgery then and refused it for personal reasons.
I performed the High-Risk procedure via the leg under local anaesthesia in about half and hour via a needle puncture hole in the heart with a very good opening of a valve which was hardly opening otherwise. There was a good acute result and she was discharged the following day much more comfortable with a smile and she said she even slept well.
A few days later she came to me for review with a bigger smile 🙂 and walking and she said she was very happy. She also gifted me 3 paintings send to me via her elderly artist husband as a mark of affection.
To a doctor there is no bigger reciprocation or prize greater than a patient’s smile and their affection.
Gestures and smiles as these make my life fulfilling and ecstatic and gives me the zest to work tirelessly for more such smiles.
I thank The Almighty always, for His grace and may God bless her and her family.
