As many of you know, I handed in my resignation a few months ago. Since then every office visit led to me saying good bye to patients I had taken care of for years. They came to me in their most vulnerable moments, with the belief that I would be able to make them better, ease the pain or just listen for a while. They let me into their lives, shared their secrets and thanked me for being there. The final visits were filled with tears, hugs, and laughs. I was emotionally exhausted by the end of each day.
I started off after completing my residency thinking I had all the tools I needed to make the right medical decisions… and then my patients taught me the true art of medicine. One of my mentors in training told me “If you really, truly listen to your patients, they will give you the answers”. There are moments in our lives when someone says something and it really sticks. This was one of those moments. I have always tried to listen. Tried to help. Tried to do my best for all of the lives I was entrusted with.
My patients have formed me into the doctor I am today and for that I am thankful. Thank you for the stories you shared, the trust you had in me. To the patients who thanked me after I gave them their cancer diagnosis, I am humbled. Thank you for letting me cry with you, for sharing in your joys and your sadness, and for believing in me. I am forever grateful.
Dr. Rizvi 