TREMBLING HANDS
Dr. Gangadhar Sahoo
Ex- Dean, IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar
Ex- Pro VC S “O”A University, Bhubaneswar
President, ISOPARB
Prof . Mishra was the most renowned surgeon and teacher in the 1990s at VSS Medical College Burla. He was most popular man not only among the students and staffs but also among the public. He was respected as next to God because of his compassion, empathy and professional skills. There was only one nursing home HEALING TOUCH NURSING HOME in Sambalpur. Dr. Singal after his MBBS, started his private practice in Sambalpur without joining the Govt. Service. He owned that nursing home and engaged all renowned physicians, surgeons, gynecologists and other professionals in his nursing home. Prof . BP Mishra was operating his private cases there. He had made a team to take care of the patients in the perioperative period and during follow-up. There was heavy rush because he was ethical, responsible and disciplined surgeon. Two assistant professors Dr . Naik and Dr . Behera , who were his post graduate students were in the team. Both were dedicated, reliable skilled and knowledgeable They were following up on the cases and even they were independently doing the discharge, follow-up and advice in each case. Prof Mishra had enough faith on them . Even he asked his patients to consult his assistants in case of emergency and during his absence.Gradually his assistants were trying to impress Prof. Mishra with their dedication and involvement. If required they were staying in the nursing home throughout the night monitoring the serious patients. The dependence of Prof. Mishra on his two assistants gradually increased so also his confidence. Prof. Mishra retired from Government job at the age of 58 years on superannuation. But his team continued as before rendering service to the public in Healing Touch nursing home. With growing age , Prof. Mishra became very much selective. So simple and uncomplicated cases were given to his assistants to be operated independently. This process continued for a few years. In the mean time his assistants had their own clinics attached to some other nursing homes. The skill and knowledge learned during their association with Prof Mishra helped them a lot. Along with that they continued assisting Prof. Mishra. Prof. Mishra was advising his patients to consult his assistants for routine post operative follow up and report him when required.
Both of the assistants slowly started creating confusion tactfully in the minds of the patients who were operated by Prof. Mishra and coming to them for check up. They started telling, " In your case, Sir did nothing. He only observed and I did the total surgery. So , at anytime you feel, you can come to me in stead of visiting Sir . Why to disturb him . I will take care everything even better than him . " One of the patients of Prof. Mishra had come for consultation to Dr. Naik for pain abdomen. That patient told to Dr. Naik that Prof. Mishra had asked him to consult him before he takes the final decision. Dr. Naik examined him and suggested some investigations to be done.The patient came with reports including ultrasound report of abdomen and pelvis. "It was a clear-cut case of appendicitis and surgery is required ," said Dr. Naik. The patient wanted to show the report to Prof. Mishra. Dr.Naik said, " Why to disturb Sir in this odd hour for this small thing. You can get admitted in my nursing home. I will do it with utmost care and minimum cost . If you go to Prof. Mishra to show the report, he will call me . You will be admitted in Healing Touch nursing home. Tomorrow morning you will be operated. Do you know who will operate? I myself will operate because Sir's hands are trembling. He is not in a position to operate any more. Even he is not able to hold the instruments properly. It's upto you to decide. "
But the patient went to Prof . Mishra and showed the reports. He also examined the patient. He decided that it's quite emergency. We can't wait till tomorrow morning. The appendix might burst at any time.
It was around 11pm. Everything was arranged. Prof. Mishra did not call his assistants because it was too late. He did the appendicectomy with the assistance of Dr. Singal, the nursing home owner. Actually it was quite an inflamed appendix could have ruptured at any time. Fortunately the patient was saved .
Next day Dr.Naik came for routine round. He was surprised to see that the same patient of appendicitis had been operated at the dead of the night. He felt a bit embarrassed. What he had told to the patient echoed in his ears. He had the apprehension that the patient might have ventilated everything to Prof. Mishra. All guilty senses clouded his mind. What might be the impression of Prof. Mishra? These storm of thoughts was creating turbulence . In this condition he went to examine the patient. In a drowsy but conscious state the patient wished ,"Namaskar Dr. Naik ! "
" Namaskar. How are you? You did the right thing by getting it operated in emergency. " said Dr. Naik.
In the meantime, Prof. Mishra entered into the post operative ward. Dr. Naik touched his feet and complimented him for the bold decision taken last night for the appendicitis patient. After the round was over both had a cup of tea in Prof. Mishra 's chamber. During discussion Prof Mishra told that he could not call him because of odd hour and more over he might have other engagements in the morning. "Anyway I felt no trace of trembling of hands." said Prof Mishra and most probably it was physiological . Hearing the words trembling hands made Dr.Naik sweating and he started palpitation. He did not like to stay any more in the chamber. While leaving Dr.Naik touched the feet of of Prof. Mishra. In return Prof. Mishra blessed him , " I pray God let the hands of surgeons not tremble during surgery. Stay blessed. "
We have read from Mahabharat how Ekalabya had sacrificed his right thumb as GURU DAKSHINA to Guru Dronacharya without little bit of hesitation. Gone are those days. Today the students after learning everything from their teachers are not forgetting to stab them in the back. In this anecdote Dr. Naik had no feelings at all . Forget about paying respect, he even did not hesitate to demean his Guru in front of his patient.
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