Life and Grief: The Ink Well Prompt #54
The shifts are chaotic, as they are in any large hospital's emergency room. In the company of skilled specialized physicians, I didn't have much responsibility. After all, I was a rookie. I was only attempting to gather experience by attentively observing what was going on.
It was beyond twelve o'clock. A 16-17 year old dark-haired young man was being escorted to the hospital by two women. Out of breath, a person who appears to be the boy's father pursues them. He was, on the other hand, calling:
Father: Doctor, doctor, save my baby. Please...
The on-duty doctor arose from his seat, where he had been buried by the night's exhaustion. In the meantime, the nurses were greeting the newcomers. Next to the doctor, I was standing. The man went on to say something else.
Doctor, doctor, my son took medication in order to commit suicide. He drank them, and when his mother saw, we rushed them to the hospital and delivered them.
Do you have the drugs he took with you, the doctor asks calmly? She inquired.
The man showed the doctor the pill boxes he had in his jacket pockets.
I don't know, he drank a lot. 15-20 of that pill, 10 of that, 3-5 of that, I don't know. Doctor, sir, please save my baby.
Do you know when she drank, Doctor?
It's been about two hours, Dad. Doctor, I'm not sure. They also informed me of the situation. We dashed to get the infant.
"Hmmm.. it's a pity, a pity," the doctor added. The father's query broke the brief stillness.
Dad – What are we going to do, doctor? I brought the baby here. Please tell me what happens next.
The doctor's brow furrowed. He hopedlessly looked up. He chewed his lower lip. He shook his head in frustration. He also made a desperate gesture with his hands. For the sufferer and his relatives, his final words were like lead. You know, to go back to being shot in the head, as they say. He stated,
I'm sorry, but there's nothing that can be done. Furthermore, these medications are too late. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the family.
All of their eyes were flinty open. Beti had a light complexion. Fear had deformed the boy's face. The young man, who had been unable to rise without the assistance of his mother and sister, suddenly got up and stared intently at the doctor. The assurance in the doctor's expressions, as well as the seriousness on his face, astounded him. She collapsed on the ground, her knees buckling. Because none of the family members had the strength to stand, they all collapsed to one side.
"Please accept my apologies," the doctor remarked. There's nothing to do. You're also running late.
Something was murmuring between Dad and Mom. What will happen, doctor, after a long period of silence and perplexity? Is there nothing you can do? Is it simply a matter of time before he passes away?
The doctor stated, "It's too late now." Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do in this case. Even if we succeed, it will be in vain. In an hour, we'll most likely lose the patient. But let's keep a close eye on the patient.
I was as astonished as the rest of the family. I was staring at the boy's expression. His bones looked to be filled with anxiety and pessimism about death. Whether you're 16-17 years old or not. What did he say when he took drugs and killed himself?
This young man must now be reflecting on his history, friends, family, or life after death. So it's been an hour. Perhaps something to consider and discuss later. He did, however, have a lot of plans. He didn't appear to be able to think straight about how he was going to spend his remaining hour, let alone consider those ideas. Life, on the other hand, continued on.
Doctor, I'm pleading with you. Is there no chance for you if you can't do anything? Please assist.
The doctor, who had just walked in, inquired about the brow-eye indication. The doctor rose to his feet and gave a forceful response.
Doctor - Suicide attempt, doctor, they're late, and there's nothing significant that can be done in this scenario. We'll send you a report once you've passed away.
The young man, who was paying close attention to what was being stated, was terrified of facing the reality of death. I'm willing to go to any length to get rid of the doctor who has a shaky voice and a sense of sorrow. Doctor, please save me. He stated, "I don't want to die."
The doctor was nowhere to be found. Didn't you kill yourself? You don't want to die, do you? Why are you so eager to get rid of it right now?
I've never seen anybody so close to passing away. He was also rather young. I had a dream about going to the morgue and contemplating the autopsy. As a result, the living body in front of me will expire soon. It will be opened for an autopsy, after which we will file a report and leave it. It's all about life and death.
I followed the doctor out the door. I'm new, I said, my demeanor betraying my inexperience. Couldn't we give this young man who attempted suicide a lot of serum while also cleaning his blood with diuretics, doctor?
Edited Image
The doctor turned to face me and said, "You see my brother." While the elderly strive to stay alive for a little longer, this young man, who is only 17 years old, attempts suicide. Why should he be stopped if he wants to die? Allow him to be alone with his desire. Let him ponder what death and life are. Allow him to comprehend the worth of life and the suffering he has given his family. Furthermore, let him recall God, his role as a servant, death, and, of course, the aftermath.
Then he replied, with a laugh that astonished me once again, "Or do you suppose you will die as well?" So the boy isn't going to die?
He gave a friendly wave and pointed to the pill boxes. Vitamin tablets, cough suppressants, and expectorants were among his possessions.
A rather traumatic story. The doctor seems heartless and cruel, as this family agonizes in fear that that they will lose their son. Then, it seems he is only toying with them, as nothing the boy has consumed would prove fatal. We can only hope that the outcome is what the doctor seems to hope for — that the teenager will come to a new appreciation for his life.
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How sad that the boy was in despair and willing to end his life. The teenage years are very difficult, and the pandemic and world unrest have added to the pyschological strain for many people. I found it so disheartening that the doctor didn't seem to care about the underlying condition that led the young man to take that step and try to end his life. It seems to me that any good doctor would provide care of some kind instead of refusing any help whatsoever. But he seemed to have a mission to teach the boy a lesson.
At any rate, while I disliked the doctor and thought he should probably lose his license, I was captivated by the story to the end, when you revealed the twist; the boy has only taken non-life threatening pills like vitamins and cough suppressants.
Yeah, your reaction is so natural. Although the Doctor acted quite negatively, but teaching the young boy importance of his valuable life was his motto.
Though life might be tough, one shouldn't give up. Escaping problems by committing suicide is cowardice. I think this should be an eye-opener to the parents nowadays to be more attentive to their children's behavior and to be keener on getting hints of emotional distress as precautionary measures. And as for the teenager, he could've opened up to his parents about his emotions and thoughts whenever he's troubled. Just sayin' :)
The story was captivating, not a big fan of that doctor though lol!
thanks for stopping by and reading the story.
Hello
With your excellent story I felt many emotions thinking first of the coldness of the doctor with the young man who had attempted suicide to understand with that surprising ending the message and the learning that he wanted to leave in the young man and also in the young doctor. I admired him.
I congratulate you, I liked it very much
Regards
I just love how the story ended, what sought of joke was the doctor making, it was pretty intense.