Made My Week

Last Friday, one of our attending physicians assigned us to patients that we are suppose to follow for a week and report back to her about how the patient is doing and about his/her pulmonary disease (this doctor is a pulmonologist--lung doctor). Another student and I were lucky enough to be assigned to an older gentleman who used to be a band leader and I think was relatively famous locally here in Miami. He, unlike many of the other residents in this elder care facility, does not have dementia. My partner for this assignment and I had a great time working on his history and physical last week. I went by his room today and visited with him for about 20-25 minutes. I think it was the highlight of my week. He has so many great stories to tell, as I suspect anyone who lives to be 97 years old and has the mental facilities to remember his life would. He was listening to classical music when I came into the room and I told him about my musical background (playing the piano and having a scholarship in college for it). Towards the end of my visit, he asked me a couple questions that I didn't know the answer to. I told him that I would research it tonight and let him know the answer (to the best of my ability as I am only a third year medical student). He stopped me and said, "You, my dear, are going to be a great doctor. I have seen a lot of doctors and tons of medical students and I know you are going to be great." I think that might be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me, especially since he has only met me twice.