A calling to serve the terminally ill
KDespite
IT’S a job many associate with doom and gloom, but oncologist Dr Malwinder Singh Sandhu sees it as his duty to care for his patients, especially walking with them through their journey towards recovery.
Malwinder, 39, comes from a lineage of physicians. He’s had his fair share of seeing all that is required of the profession.
“My mum, dad, sister and wife are doctors too,” he said, adding in jest, “it’s a family thing”.
Initially his dream was to become a businessman, but he said his parents “forced” him into medicine. Thankfully, he has no regrets.
Malwinder’s call to serve as an oncologist was a natural progression. He remembers working as a houseman in his earlier days in Alor Star Hospital, where he served in various departments, including administering chemotherapy.
“My interest in oncology developed from there,” he told theSun. His passion for the discipline grew while he worked at a government hospital for four years.
Having completed his Masters in Clinical Oncology at Universiti Malaya in 2010, he said: “Back then there were about 20 candidates, only nine were selected. I considered myself lucky.”
Although he found it tough, his hard work paid off and he is now based at Sri Kota
Specialist
Medical
Centre in Klang.
He considers his years of experience as a young medic with the ability to interact with patients as a quality that has helped
propel him to where he is, engaging with patients daily, many with Stage 4 cancer.
“Treatment is more intensive at the later stage. Hence, emotional support is crucial for cancer patients, especially those in the final stages,” he explained.
The specialist said a common trait he noticed among cancer patients is procrastination (late diagnosis) and choosing traditional therapies against modern medicine, which he said can lead to kidney and liver failure as medicines need to be processed by these two organs.
“Treatment is pointless if they (kidneys and liver) fail.”
Then again, Malwinder understands the anxiety and pain of a cancer victims, many of whom seek a variety of sometimes unconventional methods of healing for fear of dying.
He listens when his patients open up because they’re uncomfortable sharing their situation with others.
“I try to counsel where I can, although I’m not a certified counsellor.”
Malwinder recalled earlier in his career when he became emotionally affected, especially when having to relay the unfortunate news to his patients.
He had patients and their loved ones shout at him and cry with him.
“It’s hard when the cancer progresses even after chemotherapy, especially when you want the best for your patient, tried your level best and the cancer still progresses,” he said, adding that these experiences have taught him what school did not.
To cope, the father of two works out at the gym or sometimes goes hiking with fellow oncologists.
He said being an oncologist is a huge challenge, as he frequently has to go beyond the call of duty to see to a patient’s needs.
“If you can’t cope with emotional needs, think twice before becoming an oncologist,” he
cautioned.