I remembered that I have a patient by the name of Mr. S, who was always forced by Dr. P to come for dietary review. He presented with all the co-existing diseases, went for his CABG, don't know how many times of Angiograms and admissions. But his control remained the same at all time. His compliance to the dietary advices and exercise was still damn poor after so many times of follow-up. Dr. P also didn't know what else to do with him.
I knew he was so reluctant to see me, and he even told the clinic nurse that he refused to see me. "Am I not good enough to educate him?" I asked myself this question for many many times. To be honest, I don't like to see him anymore but because of the respect to Dr.P, everytime, I will have to reemphasize on Diabetic Diet to him again and again.
And one day, when Dr. P insisted on either starting him with an additional drug or insulin and sent him over to me, he came with his wife. Before I raised my voice, he said, "Please don't scold me...I have already been scolded by Dr. P." So, I took a deep breath and said, "I am not going to tell you anything today. Now, you tell me, how do you want me to help you this time?" Then he started to tell me his story.....and his wife was in tears.
(A bit look like Mr. S)
I decided to send him back, "You go back, sit down and discuss with your wife properly, do you want to restart everything all over again, the diet, exercise and the weight loss program? Are you determine to make changes to your life? Once you have decided, come back to me."
He came back the next day with his wife. So, I reviewed his dietary intake, his lifestyle and his medicines regime. Oh gosh....then only I found out that he didn't take medicine according to the advice too. He took them on and off and at anytime he liked.
So, I came out with a time table of foods and medicine timing, blood sugar checking schedule, exercise regime and explained to him all the reasons behind those restrictions one by one. I told him that, "I have never gave up on you and I hope you will not give up too." He promised me that he will comply this time and I believed that he will.
(Of course the restriction does not looks like this....)
2 weeks later when he came for review, not to my surprise, his blood sugar level started to stabilize. He was glad to see the changes. I asked him, " How do you feel now?" He answered," I feel so great. Now I understood why I should follow your advice and thanks for taking so much time to explain to me all the theories behind those restrictions."
Hmm....I just want to let him know that, I feel great to be able to help him too.
My friend asked me these questions. What do you want in your life? What are you searching for in your career? Money? Love? Fame? Wealth? Health? Hmmmm.....I am not a greedy person. As in nutrition, when we say it is not the more the better, the same thing goes to life. All these while I know that I want a balance in family life and career, love and money, wealth and health. At the same time, I learn to be moderate in everything. And of course life can not be too dull, otherwise I will get bored easily. So, I need some spices to add up to the variety. All the sourness, sweetness, bitterness and spiciness of it makes up the taste of my life. These are the 3 main keys for healthy balance diet and it also applies to my life. All I am looking for is the Quality of Life. In order to achieve that, I have to sacrifice certain things too. I want people around me to be happy, especially the one who loves me very much. And I wish I can spread the happiness to everyone too so all of us can share the same Quality of Life.
