Christmas 2013 unexpectedly became very spiritual for me yesterday afternoon.
Mid-afternoon Christmas Eve, I was called by a client I had never met before regarding Champ a 16 year old horse, with a complaint of what sounded like acute laminitis. Very unusual for me to take an emergency from a non-established client, but we had a great conversation on the phone and the horse was in obvious distress.
The horse owners were relieved at my arrival and poor old Champ was stretched out, reluctant to move with a high heart rate, bounding digital pulses; very painful front feet. I proceeded to quickly cut back some long toe, taped on "lili-pads" and administered IV pain-relievers. Placing the pads on Champ's feet gave him almost instant relief and he began to move around his large enclosure, getting a drink of water and started eating. The horse owners were quite satisfied at the progress we made in relieving Champ's pain and small talk ensued.
During our small talk Mrs. Client related to me she was the sister of one of my all-time favorite clients that had moved from my practice area 8 years ago. Mr Favorite Client and his wife raised cutting horses and beef cattle, providing me many great veterinary practice memories; not only great clients, but great people. In the 8 years since their departure, I find myself thinking of them often. Mrs. Client informed me of health problems her brother was having and I said, "Ya know I ought to give him a call". Mrs. Client ventured off to the house and returned with his cell phone number. As I departed the farm I gave Mr. Favorite Client a call on my drive back home to check in.
Turns out Mr. Favorite Client suffers from a rare, terminal un-treatable form of kidney cancer. We visited for 35 minutes on the phone, talking about many cases we worked on, remember this time, remember that time, etc. We talked about the life and death struggle he's facing and we talked about life. His words resonating with me this Christmas morning; "take nothing for granted, appreciate what you have, appreciate your good health while you have it, life can change 180 degrees in a heartbeat,". All words of wisdom. I had a most enjoyable, enlightening conversation with this man facing the battle of his life; I feel I received the gift of a lifetime!
The most unusual turn of events leading to this Christmas phone call is quite remarkable. Most people think, to be a veterinarian you love and enjoy working with animals. That maybe true, but in the end it's the people, it truly is the people. God speed Mr. Favorite Client, you've made this Christmas most humbling for this horse doctor. Merry Christmas to you and yours, hold your family and friends close, you never know when your life may change in a heartbeat........
The horse owners were relieved at my arrival and poor old Champ was stretched out, reluctant to move with a high heart rate, bounding digital pulses; very painful front feet. I proceeded to quickly cut back some long toe, taped on "lili-pads" and administered IV pain-relievers. Placing the pads on Champ's feet gave him almost instant relief and he began to move around his large enclosure, getting a drink of water and started eating. The horse owners were quite satisfied at the progress we made in relieving Champ's pain and small talk ensued.
During our small talk Mrs. Client related to me she was the sister of one of my all-time favorite clients that had moved from my practice area 8 years ago. Mr Favorite Client and his wife raised cutting horses and beef cattle, providing me many great veterinary practice memories; not only great clients, but great people. In the 8 years since their departure, I find myself thinking of them often. Mrs. Client informed me of health problems her brother was having and I said, "Ya know I ought to give him a call". Mrs. Client ventured off to the house and returned with his cell phone number. As I departed the farm I gave Mr. Favorite Client a call on my drive back home to check in.
Turns out Mr. Favorite Client suffers from a rare, terminal un-treatable form of kidney cancer. We visited for 35 minutes on the phone, talking about many cases we worked on, remember this time, remember that time, etc. We talked about the life and death struggle he's facing and we talked about life. His words resonating with me this Christmas morning; "take nothing for granted, appreciate what you have, appreciate your good health while you have it, life can change 180 degrees in a heartbeat,". All words of wisdom. I had a most enjoyable, enlightening conversation with this man facing the battle of his life; I feel I received the gift of a lifetime!
The most unusual turn of events leading to this Christmas phone call is quite remarkable. Most people think, to be a veterinarian you love and enjoy working with animals. That maybe true, but in the end it's the people, it truly is the people. God speed Mr. Favorite Client, you've made this Christmas most humbling for this horse doctor. Merry Christmas to you and yours, hold your family and friends close, you never know when your life may change in a heartbeat........
