Sharing My Philosophy Being a Physician and a Patient

Sharing My Philosophy Being a Physician and a Patient

Laurence Tabanao Gayao MD

Many of you have known about my roller coaster of health setbacks for the last six months. I wrote this letter to my children to share my attitude and thoughts during this challenging time as a thoughtful way to keep them informed and possibly ease their concerns.

For me, it has been a challenging health journey I’ve been through recently. I’ve faced a series of significant medical procedures, including a quadruple coronary heart bypass graft at Texas Health Arlington Heart and Vascular Hospital and modified trans-urethral prostatectomy, and vocal cord repair at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. Such experiences can undoubtedly be physically and emotionally demanding.

It’s understandable that my children may feel stressed and concerned about their father’s extended stay at the heart hospital and the various procedures I’ve undergone. My decision to write them a letter to share my attitude and thoughts is a compassionate way to keep them informed and possibly provide reassurance during this difficult time.

Here’s the letter I wrote 3:30 am to my children and grandchildren using my cell phone in bed after waking up just discharged from hospital the day before.

 

The written printed instructions they initially gave us are just in generic information for vocal cord paralysis implant. Yesterday however, one of ENT surgeons who helped with my case, and had more experience with the surgery that they just did on me, sat down with and gave me more instructions specifically relevant for my case.

This is because they had to adjust their approach accordingly to fit their findings during surgery. I was awake and listening to the conversations of the surgeons to see what size of the implant would work best for me by letting me speak during the procedure. They also were also discussing the best approach because of the previous filler injection to the same affected paralyzed left an injury left vocal cord due injury to nerve supply during a previous a surgery, to remove a residual metastatic thyroid cancer in my neck. The filler injection was to correct the problem of my speech and swallowing because of the injury to the nerve.

 

You see the filler was deflated as a result of prolonged intubation during the five hours of operation and two hours in recovery . Sorry to bore you with the technical details. Just to reassure you that is not my first tango, I do understand your concerns. But I do too understand the human variables are at play here too, and I hate to say it that medicine is not absolute science because of the human element from both the physicians and patients.  This was obvious to me in some medical encounters with emergency physicians who had attended to me. A good number of them used diagnostic procedures in a shotgun manner to access the cause of my problems at various visits to ER. In my time under the sun as an emergency physician I could proudly say, I had mostly figured the diagnosis 85-90% before even diagnostic procedures are done.

 

This is important because sometimes time is of the essence to save the patient’s life. I have to sometimes to forego doing the tests or wait for its results when it’s ordered. For example, a 30-year-old a skinny lady slipped and fell hitting her abdomen on a hard object, brought in by para-medics with fully open iv fluids, despite that she was still diaphoretic, pale with a low blood pressure, thready pulse and with a diminished level of consciousness. Signs of impending death.

 

I did right away called a surgeon in the operating room telling him that this patient immediately has to have surgery for a rapture, and hemorrhagic spleen to prevent her impending death. Luckily, I have the benefit and privilege of having worked in large trauma centers across Texas. I have many times had I do specific interventions right away to save the patients’ lives.

 

Ask the doctors or nurses who have worked with me in the past. They will tell you I have always maintained a calm and composed disposition, no matter the situation was. When they ask why I reacted that way, would tell them, “If it helps to nervous and yelling at others in our medical team to save the patient’s life, just like they do on TV shows, I would do it every time,” and I would add “If you know what to do or are sure what you need to do, it more or fewer keeps you calm, and confident even in highly stressed situations.”

 

If you know me and my lifetime philosophy, you will know where I am coming from. Having to apply the knowledge I have learned through the years. All these I have used in creating a mental algorithm to arrive at decide at differential diagnosis. I closely also try to observe folks around me and I try to learn from everyone I work with on what to do and what not to do. Am I or do I think I am, perfect? Far from it. But I try my best to write daily a better chapter of my life each day as long as live. That is why I feel that my life is exciting. As long as I have the cognitive ability to think and learn that my Creator has gifted me. Yes, I try a make better version of myself each day. God help me if I get stuck in contentedly wallowing in the quagmire of a comfortable, boring state of the status quo existence. I hope and take pride in passing this legacy to those who came after me. If you agree, pass it on to those you love and value in your life.

 

Before I forget, you already maybe have observed me close enough to know that worry, stress, insecurity, depression and suicidal thoughts are not options I have considered because I have seen them destroy so many lives shamefully from it.

 

I mean, I have never relied or considered them as part of the solution. That being said, we are still humans; we get acute knee jerk reaction to uncertainty and to traumatic events in our lives. But the important thing is to remember the phrase, “This too shall pass.” Because I have observed too many people have a miserable existence, living dependent on legitimate medicines or/and illegal drugs to mute their misery. Unfortunately, some of them end up deciding to make permanent solution to their misery by ending their lives.

 

For me, I am guided by two, three worded phrases: “God Love Me” and “I Trust God.” You could always live in the comfort that he who is our creator and in control of our lives and always have our best interest in His mind.

An ancient Wiseman said it well, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” This is the ultimate security to guide for our lives.

Love you’ll,

Papa Lau

Addendum:

As a patient and as physician heath care provider my philosophy Was shaped by my experiences and values. It could include:

1. Active Participation: Taking an active role in your own health, making informed decisions, and being engaged in your healthcare journey.
2. Adaptability: Recognizing the importance of adapting to changes in health and being resilient in the face of challenges.
3. Communication: Seeking open and honest communication with healthcare providers, expressing concerns, and actively participating in discussions about treatment plans.
4. Mind-Body Connection: Acknowledging the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being and considering both aspects in your approach to health.
5. Advocacy: Being an advocate for your own health, seeking the best possible care, and actively participating in discussions about treatment options.