We were in the ward, nothing too crazy, just observing. A patient, probably in her late 60s, was talking to the resident and suddenly she looked at me and said, “Beta, will I be okay?”
I froze for a second. I mean, yeah, I know the theory. I know the diagnosis. But in that moment, she wasn’t asking for facts. She just wanted comfort. Reassurance.
And I realized this is the part they don’t really teach you. How to hold eye contact when someone’s scared. How to say “yes” gently even if you aren’t completely sure. How to just be there for someone when all you have is a stethoscope and a name tag that says “student.”
I didn’t say anything smart. Just smiled, nodded and said, “Yes, you will be.” And I really hope that was enough.
This field is more than just medicine. It’s deeply human.