Today, I went back to work for the first time in one month. It was with some trepidation that I stepped into the polyclinic. After all, one month was a reasonably long time, and I was not sure I would be able to immediately handle the break-neck speed that the polyclinic consultation setting demands.

I was put on the 3rd floor, with only another doctor for company. Good thing I know him, otherwise it might have been slightly awkward. I put my stuff down, the familiar routine slowly coming back to mind. The watch to make sure I keep track of the time, the stethoscope to look more like a doctor, and the MIMS(a book listing all the drugs and their dosages, side effects, etc...hey, even doctors have a finite memory!) safely hidden but within arm's reach.

It was a bit daunting with the first few patients, as I remembered all the details I had to cover for every patient. I had to greet the patient, listen to his/her complaints, do an examination, come up with a diagnosis, formulate a treatment plan, make sure the medicine given is appropriate for the patient, and entertain any last minute demands that the patient might have(this seems to occur with infuriating frequency). This has to be done in all of 6 to 8 minutes to keep up with the speed at which the patients register at the polyclinic. After over 9 months working in the polyclinic, I still stand amazed at how many patients actually turn up everyday. For every "Hmm, I think I'll go to the movies today," that someone thinks, there is another, or maybe 2, who thinks, "Hmm, I think I'll go terrorize the doctors at the polyclinic today." A real scary thought.

As the day dragged, the mundanity of work began to set in. As with most days, there usually is a point-mostly between 11am and 12 noon- where it gets really tedious. You have done enough work to feel worn out, and near the point of exhaustion, and yet realise you are just about halfway through the day. Boy, is that a hopeless feeling. But as I continued to work, I found that there was a difference this time. I could continue working with more enthusiasm than I could previously muster. The workload kept piling, but I kept ploughing through it like a determined farmer out to rid his field of the last weed. The answer to this newfound energy was clear to me. There was a new reason to go home today. Besides my lovely wife, whom I adore with all my heart, and who is already every reason for me to go home to everyday(I just realised she may be reading this! Don't want to make it sound like she never motivated me to finish work quickly and go home), there is now another superstar waiting for me at home:




My Baby Chloe!!

I could not wait to rush back home to pick her up and give her a hug. I could not wait to sink my nose into her tiny face and smell that milky aroma. Patient after patient I saw, with the knowledge that one more patient seen is one less patient standing in the way between my baby and me.

Finally! I saw off the last patient at about 4:40pm. Man, that had to be some record. For me, anyway. I packed my stuff, hopped into my car and scooted back home.

Reaching the gate of my in-laws(staying there now because of my wife's confinement), I slotted in the key and turned it with anticipation. I can finally be with my baby! As i took the first step into the house, the wild, incessant hungry cries of an infant rang in my ears. Who is this unschooled babarian of a baby. and where is my Chloe??

My wife appeared from the room, haggard and exhausted, carrying the struggling, screaming infant in her arms.

"Oh good, you're back," she said in a sardonic voice. "Just in time to change her diapers."

I suddenly realised with horror that after today, I'm on leave until next Tuesday.


Blogger's note: The final few paragraphs of this entry were of course made up. It was a happy homecoming, and the bliss of married life and parenthood continue to permeate my very being even as I write this.
(Uh, dear, you can let go of the ear now....oww....)