A DOCTOR'S LOVE FOR HIS PROFESSION

Patients trust doctors and their ability to adapt to the patient's treatment requirements and responsibilities. And today, during this difficult period, doctors and other professionals and non-professionals give their best and hard work, thoughtfulness, and devotion.

I am Dr. Stephen  Kiel Lee,  devoted to my career since then for almost 10 years. I had a  stable life together with my family. My wife is Ashlyn Lee, a professional teacher.  I have two children, namely Kate Lee and Ash Lee, and they are twins.

Every day I use to do my duties to cure and help patients with different illnesses and usually provide everything for them.

"Daddy! Daddy! wake up. " The voice so loud and there they are, my twins, who annoy me early in the morning. "Goodmorning babies,"  I said. "Goodmorning, " they answered.  My wife is cooking for our breakfast this time. "Hon?" my wife said. "The breakfast is ready, and all of you come over here."  "We are coming," I said.
After we eat, I change my clothes and be ready for me not to be late for my first appointment.  I call my assistant telling me that I'll be there in a minute.
While I'm walking out of the house, I saw the news about 'spreading covid19 here in the Philippines' while scrolling with my tablet. I feel anxious and worried as a doctor because this virus is dangerous and can kill thousands of people every day.

"I'm here, finally! " I said.  I am currently working at St. Luke Medical Center for 5 years.  I serve people the best that I can.  I quickly change my clothes before my appointment start. " It's already 10:00 am, and I started checking up patients, provide their needs, and acquire the right and comfortable assistance for them to be okay.  After checking them, I went to my office, minutes after Dr. Dominic Lim knocks on the door.  "Please come in, I said." Dr. Lim  said, "if you are free,  join me for  my lunch, Dr. Lee?"  " sure," I said to him.
When we are walking, I suddenly ask him about the issue of covid19.  "Dr. Lim? Did you hear news about the spreading of the virus called covid19 here in the Philippines?"  "Yes, I heard that news earlier, and I am about to ask you if we have enough facilities in facing this covid19 virus," he said. "For now,  let's prepare ourselves and be ready for that. We should think about the best solution to cope up and protect ourselves from not affected by the virus and not to spread all over the Philippines," I said. 

It's already 8 pm, and I'm driving in my car home. When I open the door, and I saw my wife waiting for me. "Good evening hon, I'm home."    "Good evening, are you okay?" she said.  "I'm fine," I replied. "Wheres Ash and Kate?" I asked. "They're sleeping now," she said.
"Hon? Be responsible enough to your health and our children's health because covid19 start spreading, always take alcohol and face mask every time you are leaving or if you are going somewhere or if it's better to please stay at home", I said. "What about the virus ?" She asked. "It is dangerous for us, may feel different illness and worst kills people every day," I said. 

RING RING ( phone ring)  "Goodmorning Doctor Lee, sorry for the disturbance Doctor Lee but we have an emergency right now," my assistant said. "What do you mean?" I asked. I received news that there is one case of covid19 here in St. Luke Medical Center.

I was shocked and couldn't even say anything. I was worried and confused, especially with my wife and children. And also the health of people. When I choose my profession, I can no longer stay with my family to keep them safe. It's so hard, and my tears began to fall because I have been committed to helping my patients whatever it takes, even if it means putting myself at risk, as a doctor since then.

A minute after my wife calls me, and I decided to go down to talk to them also. We are together eating our breakfast. I saw my wife, Kate, and Ash happy this day. I will miss them so much. We are laughing together, and this is what we usually do every day.
When we are about to finish eating, I ask them if I could talk to them.
My wife:  what should we talk about?
Me: It's about covid19 hon, its spread. Earlier my assistant calls me that they got one case of covid19 out there, and they needed me.
Kate: how about us?
Ash: you mean we can't see you in the meantime?
Me: you're right
My wife: please take good care hon, I love you.
Me: I love you, and please take good care of our children. I will call you every day.
( my tears got falling this time)
I was about to leave when Kate and Ash run towards me, and they hug me so tight, it is too painful. And I need to help and serve and be the more frontline to help the people as much as I can.

The staff is so busy here at the St. Luke Medical Center, and they all work hard to maintain and do their best to avoid spreading the infection, even the nurses and other facilitators. We gradually practice social distancing and wearing a face mask at the beginning of this period. Even though this crisis of getting covid19, we facilitate as much as possible to establish a safe protocol in serving patients.
Before my duty, every day, I typically call my wife whether they are all right or not. I miss them so much, but I must embrace the fact that I can't be with them due to the pandemic.

Months have passed, even covid19 is spreading, more cases, more deaths, and more pain sufferers. At the same time, shortages of food, health drugs, and work become hectic and urgent.
I almost lost my hope and strength to fight because I saw a patient suffering from the disease every day, but as a doctor, I have to fight over and over again.

Every day I was worried about how my family is going out there if they can eat if they are safe. I miss them so much. I was too worried about them because I know they need me a lot for now due to the situation and as a doctor, I was here serving people with the right assistance. It was too sad seeing them on the screen now. I miss how I hug them every day, how we bond every day, and how we gave a lot of time and to spend days together.

May 20, 2020, I'm right here this morning in front of a patient's room suffering from a covid19 blaming me for her illness and blames me for suffering for too long. I was about to explain her situation, but she collapsed unexpectedly. Minutes after someone calls me, talks to me, and I get a message from my wife as I'm about to open, said: "Kate is positive from covid19 we're about to arrive at the Hospital." My mind stops functioning, tears dropping, and I begin running through my daughter.

And yes, the covid19 is positive for my daughter, and I can't take good care of her and stay for her 24 hours because I still have my work to support people. I still have no choice, and I always pray for the safety and health of my daughter. I hope she will survive.

She was so tired every day when I looked at her, still hoping that my girl would survive. Please fight with my girl because we are waiting for you.

When I'm free in the hospital, I usually gave time to take care of my daughter, I am the one who provides her eat, and I'm the one who changes her clothes, etc. It was too dangerous for me because my daughter is positive for covid19,  and I don't mind fear because I only think the best for my daughter to free from the virus.

At 12:23 in the afternoon on June 13, 2020, my daughter Kate announced she was dead because of covid19. I was about to give up helping people because I wasn't able to be by her side at the last moment. I was still here to send medicine for covid19 to another supportive patient for maintenance.

I was asking myself, why?  My daughter is too young to experience everything. My daughter doesn't deserve to suffer more, and doesn't deserve to die.

I saw my wife and Ash weeping, and when I could not save my child from death, it was too difficult and hard for me to support more patients and heal more patients.

We don't even give her a proper burial due to this pandemic. I was looking through the screen when my son and wife gave their last message for my daughter,  and I also send a video message.
Keeping my mind and heart strong is a must for me because I need to fight more coz I still have my wife and son who trusted me for everything. And I need to be strong for the people I help.

1 year had passed until now. I always recalled how my little angel was battling Covid19 against her.  My baby Kate is my idol, and she's always going to stay in our hearts because I know that God has his plan, and that's why He's going to let anything happen to us.

June 13, 2021, death anniversary of baby Kate and we are here in the cemetery together with my two children and my wife. Yes, we have a new baby girl, she is Kate Ashlyn Lee. And our life goes better even ate Kate is not with us now. Kate will always be our inspiration for everything.

Coronavirus disease19 stopped spreading, slowly returning to normal and slowly improving.  People on the road and street start moving, work, and other everyday stuff that we do go back to our usual lives.

Over my daughter's life, I choose my career.  It is literally difficult, but it had its meaning, and it is also a lesson for me to balance my priorities and duties as a father and a servant of a people.

THE END.