When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?

On a balmy summer night after a shift at the local hospital, I trudged towards home through the lively streets filled with laughter. However, my mind was elsewhere, entangled in thoughts of the patients I had tended to and the pang of helplessness that gripped me when I failed to save a young girl’s life. It was a stark reminder of the inherent risks tied to my profession.

While mulling over these thoughts, the sudden noise of a fracas emanated from a nearby alley. Compelled by instinct, I rushed towards the source of the commotion only to find a woman, lying in a pool of her blood, a victim of a stabbing.

My medical training kicked in swiftly, I pressed onto her wound and immediately called for an ambulance. The inherent risks of lone night alleys wasn’t lost on me, but I couldn’t just stand by. As time seemed to hang while waiting for the ambulance, self-doubt wedged thoughts of recklessness into my mind. However, recalling the oath I took as a medic to prioritize others’ lives, dispelled this indecision.

Relief washed over me when the ambulance finally arrived, entrusting the woman to more capable hands. My trek back home was filled with an array of emotions from fear of possible consequences to pride in stepping up at a time of need.

The following day, I received a heartfelt call from the woman I had aided. Expressing gratitude for saving her life, she relayed the news of her attacker being apprehended and her foreseeable recovery. This left me with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and reaffirmed that my decision had been the right one. The risk I had taken had realised an unexpected, yet welcome outcome.

This incident served as a pivot in my outlook towards my profession, reinforcing the need for constant preparedness for risks while helping others. Being a medic for me isn’t merely a job, but a vocation, and I am committed to risking it all, knowing that each risk could potentially culminate in a saved life.

The night spent under the city’s twinkling lights marked a significant turning point in my journey, not just as a medic, but as a protector of life during its most critical stages. The incident in the alleyway, steeped in desperation and danger, surpassed the typical confines of a hospital shift. It highlighted a deep truth about the nature of my profession — the instinct to help and shield always exists, extending far beyond the hospital walls.

This awakening filled me with a renewed sense of mission. Every subsequent day was met with a more profound dedication to my career, a realization that my responsibilities as a healer were not constrained by time or place. The gratitude shown by the woman, a life I had played a role in saving during a routine night, served as a beacon, guiding me through my uncertainties and fears.

My ability to act courageously, despite the associated risks, became a fundamental aspect of my moral code. It demonstrated the significant impact that one person could have in the grand scheme of life and the ripple effect that could potentially mean the difference between life and death. This incident not only strengthened my determination, but it also shed light on the path I was destined to tread — one fraught with challenges, yet enriched by the unparalleled satisfaction of making a measurable difference.

In the aftermath, while navigating the intricacies of my career, the lessons from that night remained as persistent reminders. They taught me the value of vigilance, empathy, and the unyielding desire to act despite adversity. Being a medic was more than a job; it was a commitment to stand in the void, offering hope when all seemed lost.

This expedition, punctuated by victories and tribulations, reshaped my understanding of service. It solidified my belief that each medic harbors an unyielding spirit to confront risks, driven by the solemn vow to preserve life. Answering this call required everything I had, yet in return, it provided the deep satisfaction of knowing that I was, in some small measure, guarding the flame of hope.