The article explores the author's emotional turmoil following the death of a close friend, Mike, who significantly influenced their medical career. Despite feeling the weight of loss, the author chooses to suppress personal grief amidst professional responsibilities during a ward round. Mike, who had been a pivotal figure in the author's life, helped them gain entry into medicine and provided unwavering support through life events. The piece reflects on their enduring friendship and Mike's resilience after suffering a stroke fifteen years prior, ultimately highlighting the personal sacrifices made in the face of duty.
My instinct is to blurt out that an old friend has died and I need time out. But this would inevitably incur an explanation causing the ward round to be consumed by sympathy for me instead of care for our patients.
Mike and I met more than 30 years ago. Medical student admissions are a multifaceted thing but I like to think that he was the administrator who let me in.
Like other students, I stayed in touch with Mike because he was interested in what medical students did with their lives after the coveted degree.
Fifteen years ago, driving home from a routine work day, Mike suffered a devastating stroke... Miraculously and, in part, due to his care.
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