“So, you cut open people?”
“How is the look in your patient’s eyes after you have done an operation on them?”
“Must be thrilling. But do you get any free time at all?”
“Tell us an interesting story.”
I had not faced these questions in a long time. As a student, then resident, and later on a young surgeon, I would enjoy these questions and try to respond as best as I could. Not being much of a storyteller, my matter-of-fact answers, “We get used to it”, “Yes, I get little free time” – often disappointed the listener, who had hoped for a more captivating response.
This time’s encounter reminded me of how out of touch I have been with people outside my profession. I do meet dozens of people each day – but they are all in the medical field (colleagues, students, other hospital staff) or my own relatives or long-time friends. All other interactions are solely professional – where no one asks you to tell a story! It had been a long (too long) time since I had engaged with strangers socially.
The occasion was a family hiking trip – taken on the insistence of my wife who felt that I should do something new for a change. Booked online through a mountaineering club, it was a noon to late night group tour. A two-hour drive in a bus to the base of a hill, a hike with small backpacks carrying our water bottles and snacks to the top of the hill – about one hour to climb up, enjoying the views from the top and the sunset, a one hour climb down, and drive back to Bangalore, with dinner on the way. A simple, healthy, value for money, and surprisingly (for me) enjoyable outing.
At the beginning of the trip, we each had to introduce ourselves – I mumbled my name and said I am from Bangalore. But inevitably the discussions steered to who does what, and that’s when the questions started. I gently guided the questions back to them and asked more about themselves and enjoyed their conversations. Most were in their 20s and 30s, and I was fascinated by their points of views, the stories of their lives, and their dreams, freely shared with a group of strangers.
“Now your turn, you must tell us an inside story about cancer surgery”.
“I am not much of a storyteller” I said. “But you are welcome to read my blog!”