Seasons

I tried to keep it short but failed. Again.

Seasons, they change..

(A dentist patient story )

A 67 yrs old lady came to us for her treatment. Lots of dental issues which affected function and appearance. She had just retired after serving as a nurse in a small school for many years and was finally ready to get her dental problems resolved. After discussing different options, she chose a treatment plan which was financially viable for her.

She was a happy patient. Always talking about her family. Her daughter in Dubai married to a good man, her own mother now 92yrs in perfect health and her brother who made amazing tea in the evenings. She had a habit of always coming to the clinic way before time, for in her words she was ready to look pretty and eat good food as soon as possible. During her appointments she would always talk and smile a lot. Many a times she got homemade sweets for the staff and was quite a favorite amongst all. Everything was going on schedule and nothing was out of the ordinary till something happened.

She was late for her appointment. First time I took it as a one off thing. She seemed quiet and her smile was halting as if wondering if its appropriate to smile, like something was weighing her down. When I asked if everything was ok, she said her mom had fallen ill and her hospital bills were huge. She was worried about her dental treatment cost now as it was in installments. I asked if she wanted to change her treatment to fit her budget and she said “No,no Dr. Pls continue with the treatment as discussed. I have enough old jewelry which I don’t wear. When will that come to use.” I understood she planned to get money by selling them. When I showed reluctance, she smiled and said “I would prefer to eat better than wear gold”

Second time when she was late I was not in the best of moods. When the first appointment patient is not on time it kind of screws with my whole day. As I waited, i decided to make my displeasure known to her. She entered the clinic out of breath, sweating and before I could say anything she apologized. I didn’t have anything to say except “Hope all is ok, but I really need you to come on time”. To which she said “I am sorry”. Her brother (who lived with her mom and her) was schizophrenic and had an episode in the morning. Also her mother was in the hospital and it was getting difficult for her to manage it all. I thought about her absentee daughter happily married in another country. Wondered the whys and why nots in my head. But as it was not my place to ask, I remained quiet and just murmured my sympathies. Telling her all will be well and truly hoping so.

On her next visit, she was a different person. As if a cloak of unease hung on her whole being. Before we could begin she asked if we could change the treatment midway and shift to a cheaper version. She said “I know it’s a bit late but is there any possibility Dr.? Anything at all?” So, after discussing again i decided to change the maxillary cast partial to an acrylic partial denture to cut down the cost till she was ready for a more permanent treatment. She thanked me again and again. It was sad to see her like that, husk of the woman she had been just a few days ago. As the voices in my head refused to back down, I asked about her daughter. “Would your daughter be visiting you soon to help with her grand mom and uncle” I asked. She smiled. It was an odd smile, there but not really there, Hollow. She said “My daughter is married into a good family and its difficult for her to take care of us” I didn’t ask her more.

Days and appointments went by and I saw the changes life brought on her, reminding me of the changing seasons. It was definitely winter now.

She cancelled her next appointment. Reason, her mother passed away.

After one week, her final delivery appointment I checked and adjusted the prosthesis. Once everything was in place and I was satisfied, I showed her the mirror and asked her to smile. She saw herself and cried.