Unique Strength and Goodness of the Heart

Disha Dalela

Dear Dr. Sachs and Team,

Thank you for writing out such an inspiring and wonderful message. We do not get enough opportunities to check in with each other, least of all applaud each other.

Understandably, this pandemic has uprooted our lives in several ways, for the good or for the better. There’s nothing good coming out of losing lives but there rarely is an opportunity for a class of interns to live and breathe through a pandemic that has the world at its feet. It has brought out a few things for me, which (as a matter of habit) I shall elucidate in points below:

• Never before, and that is not to say that it doesn’t happen all the time, have I realized how much braver the patients are than us. Maybe it’s just the ignorance of the things that await that makes them stronger. Or maybe it’s just their faith in us. Either way, it is admirable and worth acquiring. I aspire to be an oncologist — but my goals are entirely selfish, arising out of a need to be inspired by my patients every day. Because what this pandemic, and the worst of diseases bring out, is a unique strength and goodness of the heart. While Dr. Sachs, you did say we carry our greatest asset, “hope,” somewhere we are only reflecting what the patients give us.

• “Families are never wrong” — while I can be as smart a doctor as I want, I have realized that the family of the patient would still know him/her the best. A telephone call/ a FaceTime attempt while grossly underrated on most occasions in such a fast-paced life of an intern, has now become my most comforting time of the workday where I discuss the patient and his/her progress with the family member and sense comfort in them and reassurance in my own work.
  
  I remember when I was a little edgy with a family member for calling umpteen times, but each time she called there was a significant turn of events for the patient and for the better. That is not to say I wasn’t doing my job — but it made me humble and made me patient.

• Our class is a group of solid people — strong, confident and congenial folks — but these past few months have made me realize that indeed, going to medical schools alone hasn’t brought us all so far — it’s the time we have spent on being a better person each day — a reflection of which I see as I work alongside our colleagues and take back home moments with them, be it either of peace or inspiration or knowledge or laughter.
  
  One of us (read Robert Le) kept our spirits high by making us tres leches and coffee cakes and being our Reddit champ. While Kate Farsaci was a delightful, effervescent colleague on a busy GI service, Christian has always been a great advisor! Matt with his unique ideas and hosting us parties before “physical distancing” happened. Amie for always checking in and keeping aside a moment to know about how I was doing. Sara for being such a wonderful, happy self. Bobby for being such a meticulous and inspiring colleague. Jon for his very pleasant greetings and jolly attitude. Marc for keeping us grounded on the HemOnc service! This makes me thankful for landing here myself.

• Our attendings, much like you Dr. Sachs, who have been so amazing in their desire to learn from us that for a moment I feel like I am finally someone of substance. My father, former chairperson of urology at his university, is a great “student” himself. And I have learnt the most in my life by “teaching” him. Hence, this pandemic has opened doors for us to see this brilliant aspect of all the amazing faculty we have here and just how to be when we get there.

I didn’t mean to rival the “length” of the reply, but then again —there is always so much to say! Thank you again for starting this Dr. Sachs.

– Disha Dalela

Disha Dalela, MD is originally from India. Born into a family of surgeons, she always aspired to be a doctor. Before starting residency at UMass, she did research at Yale in cancer genetics. She aspires to be a Hematologist/Oncologist when she grows up, but for now is focused on getting trained as a compassionate, well-rounded and knowledgeable physician. Alongside her professional path, she is an avid reader, dog-lover and a musician.

Last week, Dr. Howard Sachs reflected on his time at the DCU Field Hospital and the impact it made on him as an experienced physician, and Dr. Disha Dalela wrote this piece in response to his letter to residents. Both his piece and this piece were previously published in Group Talk.