Lili and I

Society's demand for healthcare providers to be adaptable and resilient was driven home to me whilst dealing with my grief and thoughts in an encounter with patient death. I have chosen to depict myself and multidisciplinary teams as falcons. Falcons can be symbols of overcoming challenges, as shown in mythology, such as the well-known Korean tale of ‘Habaek’, the deity of the Amnok river, who is vanquished by a human after they transform into a falcon. This need to be adaptable can also be interpreted from the nature of falcons’ relationship with humans through time, in training and hunting. Reflecting, self-care and other aspects of my journey have been encapsulated in the portrayal of the falcon gazing back on water that is rippling and barren of other signs of life except a small water lily, bright with life, supported by the edge of a single lily pad. There is life where there is death and death is not far from life. In fact, mortality works in such a way that healthcare providers cannot predict when they are at the receive end of care and thus, the line between 'them' and 'us' narrows. I hope that by challenging unrealistic expectations of doctors through this piece and ensuring that I am healthy enough to support myself and my colleagues, I can make the most of life within and outside of work, strengthen ties with my future team and inspire future generations of doctors to do the same.