A non ordinary uncle, an inspiring patient

A usual morning in the wards with an unusual experience~
I was doing my normal morning clerkings when I saw this elderly uncle sitting on his bed reading his papers. I approached him the same way I did with other patients by a simple greeting followed by 'apa khabar encik' - Use Bahasa Malaysia until proven otherwise.

He was well groomed and looked pretty healthy (except his oxygen mask) for a 80 year old Malay male. But as the conversation heated up, my instincts told me that this uncle was not any average patient. He spoke with fluent English on top of wise words and appropriate gestures. Upon enquiring on his past occupation, he revealed that he was a FELDA town planner! Wow, among the pioneers of the FELDA settlements we could see now in the Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Pahang and Terengganu.

I immediately switched my intention of taking some history from him to engaging in a conversation about his job and life. It was just simply too interesting to chuck this part away and focus on the medical part. Sometimes, talking to patients and listening to their part of the story makes the life of a medical professional less dull and routine. And I had to admit that I did not want to end the conversation.

We talked about our families, our backgrounds, his working life as a planner, marriage and children. Frankly, this is the first time I came across such a wonderful occupation. He has to camp in the jungle for a month or so, on the tree house and survey the area. He draws the plans, where the towns should be, the plantations, the grocery shops and convenience stores, the police station, the market and all the other structures of a town. And he had frequented the East Malaysia too for town planning, which revolves around about the same thing he does in the FELDA settlements.

Midway through the conversation, he even pointed out, without looking at my name tag that I must be from Penang. And with Tan as my surname, I should be Hokkien. Bingo! With vast experience with people from Penang, and having a chinese wife from Penang, he told me that it wasn't quite difficult to come out with a wise guess. We talked about family planning (3 children should suffice) as well. Interestingly, he gave me a piece of advice: Birth control. We should focus on quality rather than quantities. We should ensure that our children receive the best attention and financial support with the limited amount of time and resources we have. And yes you are right, his children and grandchildren are well established individuals in the society. A proud father and grandfather I would say.

We shared jokes, and talked about medical and non medical and I really had a good time through out the 45 minute conversation. I felt heavy hearted to end that conversation. But he will be one of the patients that would inspire me for my rest of medical career and in my future!