Not a colleague of Dr GenesisThey don't tell you that much about death at medical school. I suppose it would bring down morale a touch. But it's everywhere. A junior house officer will encounter more death in that first year than they have ever seen before. In hospital it tends to be rather clinical. A bleep during a busy evening on-call: "can you just certify this one on ward Zeus? Then we can shift the body?". Some kind words to the family perhaps then onwards. Only once did Dr Genesis have to take some time out to rest his head on a window ledge and sigh after a patient's death. He made sure no one could see him. He didn't cry, but he came close. Other than that, there is very little emotion.
But out in general practice, it has proved to be a little different.
Dr Genesis had a house call a few weeks ago to an elderly man with cancer. Loose stools, said the house request. He died only a couple of minutes before Dr Genesis pulled up in his Mercedes. His body was warm as I listened to his heart. Certifying someone in their own home has a certain sadness. There were dozens of photos of his family everywhere. A legacy of three generations.
The children were sobbing. "Would you like me to stay for when your sister arrives?" I asked. Yes they would. I broke the news to her as she came in the house. She sobbed too.
Dr Genesis gave his baby, his future legacy, extra cuddles when he got home.
