After successfully treating a chocolate cyst case, I published an article. This brought me many more patients with similar concerns, with hope, trust, and expectation.
New Encounter:-
One such patient was a 37-year-old woman. She had already undergone surgery once, but the cyst had recurred. This time, she was not ready for another surgery. Instead, she chose to try Siddha treatment.
I agreed, though this time, with a quiet sense of skepticism.
The Journey:-
The patient, however, was hopeful. She followed the treatment protocol wholeheartedly, with trust and discipline.
Over time, her symptoms improved. Her pain has reduced. She felt better, physically and emotionally. She became more active, more social, something she had struggled with earlier.
At one level, it felt like progress.
But after three months, the follow-up scan told a different story.
The cyst remained the same.
Unchanged. Unmoved.
That moment was a blow to my pride.
I had seen success before. I expected change. I believed we were moving in the right direction. But medicine had a different lesson to teach.
The Uncharted Destination:-
Still, the patient chose to continue.
Not because of the scan, but because she felt better.
We started a new course with a different approach.
Again, months passed.
Again, we waited.
And once again, the scan showed no significant change.
That was the moment I had to pause, accepting that it was not in my control. The same system that had worked before… did not work here in the way I had hoped.
Yes, the patient improved symptomatically.
But the pathology remained.
And sometimes, that distinction matters. With honesty, I had to guide her toward another option. I referred her to another doctor.
That case stayed with me.
A Valuable Realization:-
Being a doctor sometimes means knowing when to step back. Because not every case is meant to prove our capability; Some are meant to shape our humility.
Have you ever had to accept that doing your best still wasn’t enough?
MBH/PS