Last and Final Call
I recently returned from my gruelling tour of the US which took me to Albany(NY), Buffalo(NY), Albuquerque(NM), Chicago(IL), Rockford(IL), Milwaukee(WI), Minneapolis-St.Paul(MN), Austin(TX), San Francisco(CA), Baltimore(MD), Long Island(NY), St.Louis(MO), Cleveland(OH), Springfield(IL), and Jackson(MS). I was interviewing for a residency training position. During the tour, I came across some interesting people and some interesting incidents happened on the way.
Amongst all the experiences, there are two that stand out. A lot of the people I met thought I was Espanol. I met one such lady,an Espanol, in a hospital corridor, while waiting for my interview. She was waiting there to see a friend who was admitted to the Psychiatry inpatient. She asked me something in Spanish. When I told her that I didn't understand and that I was Asian Indian, she said, " Oh ! I could have sworn by God that you were Hispanic, if you hadn't told me!". Seeing me all "suited-booted" she asked if I was there for an interview. I told her that I was a physician, and that I was interviewing for a position to undergo training in Psychiatry. She then mentioned, she herself was a Psychiatric patient, and was often in and out of the hospital. But, had been feeling better recently. When I asked her, "What has helped?", she said, "I have come to accept that my condition is like any other health condition, say cancer or diabetes, however, it is something that has not been found out enough about. And I am confident that with people like you, it will soon be. That makes me feel better." I couldn't have agreed more, and went on to explain how research is helping better understand brain and psychiatric illnesses. She parted by saying, "I wish you get this position, and become my doctor. You too made me feel better. Good luck!." I thanked her, and thought,"Though I didn't like the program, this lady definitely made my visit worthwhile."
The second incident happened at the Chicago O'hare. I was waiting for a connecting flight to Springfield, Illinois, and was the last one boarding when I heard this announcement, "This is the last and final call for the captain and flight attendant of United Airlines flight 5823 to Springfield, Illinois. All passengers are on board. Last and final call."
Amongst all the experiences, there are two that stand out. A lot of the people I met thought I was Espanol. I met one such lady,an Espanol, in a hospital corridor, while waiting for my interview. She was waiting there to see a friend who was admitted to the Psychiatry inpatient. She asked me something in Spanish. When I told her that I didn't understand and that I was Asian Indian, she said, " Oh ! I could have sworn by God that you were Hispanic, if you hadn't told me!". Seeing me all "suited-booted" she asked if I was there for an interview. I told her that I was a physician, and that I was interviewing for a position to undergo training in Psychiatry. She then mentioned, she herself was a Psychiatric patient, and was often in and out of the hospital. But, had been feeling better recently. When I asked her, "What has helped?", she said, "I have come to accept that my condition is like any other health condition, say cancer or diabetes, however, it is something that has not been found out enough about. And I am confident that with people like you, it will soon be. That makes me feel better." I couldn't have agreed more, and went on to explain how research is helping better understand brain and psychiatric illnesses. She parted by saying, "I wish you get this position, and become my doctor. You too made me feel better. Good luck!." I thanked her, and thought,"Though I didn't like the program, this lady definitely made my visit worthwhile."
The second incident happened at the Chicago O'hare. I was waiting for a connecting flight to Springfield, Illinois, and was the last one boarding when I heard this announcement, "This is the last and final call for the captain and flight attendant of United Airlines flight 5823 to Springfield, Illinois. All passengers are on board. Last and final call."
posted by ~enfield~ at
9:56 PM
5 Comments:
That is one hell of a trip!
I have had hispanic people come up to me all the time and start a conversation in Espanol during my stay at NJ/NY. I had to tell them "No Espanol, Anglais"!
I have also had bunch of crazy hispanic men make passes at me in spanish, I guess the joke was on them as I didn't understand a word of what they said!
I am glad that I wasn't on that flight with the missing captain and the flight attendant!!
I have heard stories, I dunno whether they are true, that certain airline (thru Chicago) pilots are drunk en route....
Good luck with your residency training position.
Doctor sahib,
What is exact clinical definition of 'mentally unbalanced' ? I sometimes think I am that....
Yes, please define "mentally unbalanced". At times I have doubts about myself as well.
We all are "mentally imbalanced" several times during the day. It is when things are not working, someone or something is getting on your nerves, and you loose or are on the brink of loosing your years of sanity. And it is very normal, as well as, healthy, as long as we get back to our rational self.
Phew! I am so relieved! :)
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