Whenever a lady comes for the complaint of vomiting, I remember this episode of a "Damsel in Distress". It was a usual day like any other day. She had taken an evening appointment. She was working in a software firm and wanted an urgent appointment to consult me.
She came with her mother. Mother was really concerned to the point of being inquisitive. The complaint was one of vomiting almost after each feed. Mother and daughter lived in different cities. Daughter had come to her mother's house because of the complaint.
After taking an elaborate history, mother hovered around the daughter during the examination. At every step she would ask "What is the diagnosis?" The daughter was uncharacteristically quiet. She spoke little but co operated for the examination. Those were the days before the ultrasound scan became available. At the end of the examination, I asked for some blood and urine tests. In situations such as these one discretely asks for the pregnancy test - I used to use a code "Urine for H" (which my regular lab understood )indicating HCG which is the basis of the pregnancy test.
She came back with the reports. She came in alone and said " I insist you do not divulge anything to my mother. I also insist you help me in solving the problem. I know my rights and I demand professional secrecy even from my mother. Then she went out and called her mother in. The report confirmed my suspicion. She was indeed pregnant! Mother asked me "What is the diagnosis doctor?" I had to think fast. I had to tell her something that would closely mimic the early pregnancy. Something that had vomiting as a component. I said "Urinary Infection". Indeed, ascending infection can be complicated by acute pyelonephritis which can present with vomiting ( and fever which can get masked by the partial treatment). Mother seemed to be satisfied with the explanation. Daughter kept quiet. Both of them went back.
Next day the daughter came alone. She demanded, "Now that I am your client, you are duty bound to help me. Guide me to a good doctor for the termination of pregnancy". I suggested some name and she went away.She came back after a couple of days and thanked me. She gave a vent to her feelings. She said a man gets away easily and a woman has to suffer and all this is very unfair. I agreed with her. I almost forgot the episode.
After about 5 years, I saw her again in my clinic accompanied by a man. She had come to consult me for something very minor. Anyway, I did my job professionally and did not show any signs of recognition.She thanked me, went out with her husband. Just after she left I observed her handbag. As I was pondering what to do and how to get her back, she suddenly came in. "Doctor, I am sure you recognize me.Doctor, do you remember I gave a vent to my feelings and had said the boys get away. After going back to work, I gave it a serious thought. I wanted to punish the guywho did it to me. I married him. What better punishment can I give? I wanted you to know that the whole episode had a happy ending.
I was speechless! I congratulated her and wished her well. How many girls can do this? More should try to "punish" the person responsible. I could not decide who was in a greater distress. The "damsel" or the "gentleman"?
She came with her mother. Mother was really concerned to the point of being inquisitive. The complaint was one of vomiting almost after each feed. Mother and daughter lived in different cities. Daughter had come to her mother's house because of the complaint.
After taking an elaborate history, mother hovered around the daughter during the examination. At every step she would ask "What is the diagnosis?" The daughter was uncharacteristically quiet. She spoke little but co operated for the examination. Those were the days before the ultrasound scan became available. At the end of the examination, I asked for some blood and urine tests. In situations such as these one discretely asks for the pregnancy test - I used to use a code "Urine for H" (which my regular lab understood )indicating HCG which is the basis of the pregnancy test.
She came back with the reports. She came in alone and said " I insist you do not divulge anything to my mother. I also insist you help me in solving the problem. I know my rights and I demand professional secrecy even from my mother. Then she went out and called her mother in. The report confirmed my suspicion. She was indeed pregnant! Mother asked me "What is the diagnosis doctor?" I had to think fast. I had to tell her something that would closely mimic the early pregnancy. Something that had vomiting as a component. I said "Urinary Infection". Indeed, ascending infection can be complicated by acute pyelonephritis which can present with vomiting ( and fever which can get masked by the partial treatment). Mother seemed to be satisfied with the explanation. Daughter kept quiet. Both of them went back.
Next day the daughter came alone. She demanded, "Now that I am your client, you are duty bound to help me. Guide me to a good doctor for the termination of pregnancy". I suggested some name and she went away.She came back after a couple of days and thanked me. She gave a vent to her feelings. She said a man gets away easily and a woman has to suffer and all this is very unfair. I agreed with her. I almost forgot the episode.
After about 5 years, I saw her again in my clinic accompanied by a man. She had come to consult me for something very minor. Anyway, I did my job professionally and did not show any signs of recognition.She thanked me, went out with her husband. Just after she left I observed her handbag. As I was pondering what to do and how to get her back, she suddenly came in. "Doctor, I am sure you recognize me.Doctor, do you remember I gave a vent to my feelings and had said the boys get away. After going back to work, I gave it a serious thought. I wanted to punish the guywho did it to me. I married him. What better punishment can I give? I wanted you to know that the whole episode had a happy ending.
I was speechless! I congratulated her and wished her well. How many girls can do this? More should try to "punish" the person responsible. I could not decide who was in a greater distress. The "damsel" or the "gentleman"?
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