I’m at a loss for words—how can someone give something so beautiful to a complete stranger who is nothing more than a doctor?
I first met him a year ago when he was referred to us by the neurosurgery department following his brain tumor surgery.
I was the first doctor to meet him in the radiation oncology clinic. He was 40 years old, a laborer from the lower middle class, and accompanied by his wife, who was in her 30s.
Both of them were illiterate and quite simple. They were apprehensive. After they got seated, I started introducing myself. I told them my name and explained that I was the junior doctor who would ask them a few questions, like in an interview, and examine the patient. After that, I would present the case to a senior doctor, followed by a discussion, and we would formulate the treatment plan.
The patient’s expression turned from worry to delight as soon as he heard my name. Once more, he asked for my name. I told him it was Damane Zehra. (Daman: the shirt’s border or edge; Zehra: an Arabic name of great reverence in Islam, because Fatimah Zehra is the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter.) Fatima Zehra is one of the most respectable figures in the history of Islam. She is seen as a paragon of compassion and generosity in our religion and sect. My full name translates as “to grasp or hold the border of her shirt to come under her protection.”
He asked me if I belonged to the Ehle Tashee (Followers of Shiism). I told him I was a Shia.
Sects among Muslims are subgroups or Islamic schools of thought that have slightly different understandings of Islam regarding certain matters. These sects are numerous, but the largest branches are Shi’as and Sunnis.
He felt joyful and revealed that he was a Shia himself and a Zakir. A Zakir is one who does zikr (literal meaning “to remind”). This term is used in the subcontinent for religious speakers of Shiites.
Once, I asked my father about the history of my name. It was a name I had never heard of before. My father is an extremely intelligent person who puts a lot of thought into naming his children. He told me that my name was an inspiration. He believes that a name is the first gift a parent gives to their child. I was the eldest child, and my father wanted to give me a name that was both unique and meaningful. He is deeply spiritual and sought a name that would protect me from harm and ill intentions all my life. He hoped my name would bring him joy whenever he called me. Another thought was that whenever I would think about doing any immoral or unethical thing in my life, I would always consider the honor of my name before doing any such deed. Although many times, I feel sorry that I am not as practicing as my parents wanted me to be and make a lot of irrational mistakes as well, still, I will always be thankful to my father for giving me such a different name.
His wife also felt relieved and started telling me about their family, her husband’s daily routine, and the religious gatherings he used to attend. They didn’t have any family members to accompany them because they had a love marriage at a young age, and since then, their families have abandoned them. They had been trying to have a baby for many years but were unable to conceive.
He had glioblastoma multiforme, which is a highly aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis. Even with treatment, its median survival is 14–15 months. It is treated with surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy sessions. The chemotherapy is mostly in the form of oral pills. After that, there are a further few cycles of chemotherapy, and then the patient is kept on strict follow-up with serial MRIs and neurological examinations. The majority of patients die due to disease relapse, and it’s a devastating disease to have. This tumor is notorious for its local relapse.
Thankfully, this patient had no neurological deficit. His appearance and demeanor didn’t reveal that he had surgery for such an aggressive tumor.
He began concurrent chemoradiation treatment and attended daily radiation sessions. Unlike other cancer hospitals that schedule weekly follow-ups or only see patients when they have issues, our patients visit us regularly. Our radiation suite is located in the same corridor as our outpatient department, so I often meet patients when passing through. Some patients have the habit of repeatedly asking about their treatment details, so they come to see us frequently.
He was a patient who came to see me frequently. Sometimes, he would bring snacks like chips or biscuits, and despite my refusal, he would leave them on the counter.
His wife occasionally approached me to seek my advice because of his bad eating habits. I always counseled him to take care of himself, eat well, and maintain an optimistic attitude. His wife would occasionally worry that he didn’t have enough money to cover the cost of his treatment, but he was not willing to accept anyone’s help.
He had complete trust in God and relied on Him in all of his affairs. He believed that miracles happen in our lives daily, sometimes even in ways that are invisible to us. Because he had lived his entire life according to our religious teachings, never mistreated anyone, and always tried his best not to hurt anyone’s heart, he was sure that he would be blessed in terms of health, money, and peace of mind. God had always miraculously assisted him in every situation. He used to tell me a lot of his life stories that strengthened my faith in many ways.
After completing his radiation and chemotherapy, he started oral chemotherapy. I was on a different rotation for a few months and couldn’t see him during that period. Although I thought about him a few times and even asked my supervisor about his progress, my senior doctor assured me that he was doing well with no signs of relapse since then.
Today, the physician’s assistant informed me that a patient wanted to see me. When I reached the reception, the patient was there with a box of sweets in his hand. He handed over the box to me and told me he had come to deliver some good news. He was beaming with excitement. I wondered what kind of news he wanted to share with me. He told me that after a long time, God had blessed him with a daughter, whom he named after me.
I will always remember the generosity and consideration of the father who named his miracle child after me. While I am constantly worried about the possible return of his disease or the potential development of any neurological impairment, I am also amazed by the beauty of his heart and the ability of his incredible brain, which enabled him to treat me with such respect through this lovely gesture.
Our patients are such sweet people. Unfortunately, they are not receiving the level of care and attention they deserve. There are times when we may be irritable, overworked, hungry, or distracted, and as a result, we may not be able to give them the attention they require. However, they are very observant. They remember the small acts of kindness, affectionate words, and the extra moments we put into actively listening to them, as well as the time we spend encouraging them. They remember these gestures for a lifetime, and sometimes they express their gratitude in return.
I hope that his daughter grows up to be an amazing person with a beautiful heart and a kind soul, just like her father. Her father was able to see and appreciate my good qualities because he had a pure heart himself. He often mentioned a verse from the Holy Quran to me:
In chapter 26, verses 88–89, it has been said that on the day of judgment, neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit. Only those who come before God with a pure heart will be saved.
Damane Zehra is a radiation oncology resident in Pakistan.
