Author's posts
How a single act of kindness can transform the world
Since I was a child, I have despised the words “May you live long.” I felt like it was a curse. My younger brother, who knows my thoughts, used to joke, “Allah kre tumhari itni lambi umar ho, tum marne ko tarso!” (May Allah bles…
I spent years rebelling against my father—until I realized I was exactly like him
I am 31, and my dad turned 54 this year. He had me when he was just 23 years old. I was born in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and he came from a small village in Punjab. He is a self-made man who struggled all his life to give his children a…
The unlikely friendship between a young doctor and an elderly scholar
He is 75 years old, and I am 30. Wondering how we met? It was a very casual meeting in a park. I live in a four-story building with numerous flats. There is a long walking and jogging track and a playground in front of my building. On the opposite side…
A patient gave me the best gift of my life
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. …
When a patient’s story hits close to home: a doctor’s emotional journey
It had been a busy day. He was the last patient of the day. In the oncology outpatient department, we have forms for documenting a patient’s medical history. The form has specific sections that need to be filled out in a set order. First, we star…
From devotion to despair: a teacher’s fight against glioblastoma
He was only 31 years old. He had a beard and was a very tall and incredibly handsome man. He was a teacher who used to teach the Holy Quran to young children in a faraway village in Punjab. He used to offer his prayers regularly. He did not go to schoo…
How cultural barriers delay cancer treatment for women in Pakistan
Pakistan, classified as a lower-middle-income nation, is experiencing a massive increase in the number of cancer cases. Our health expenditure as a proportion of the gross domestic product (GDP) is worryingly small in contrast to that of more developed…
The hidden talent that transformed my medical career
Writing is something I enjoy. I take pleasure in writing, especially because of my beautiful handwriting. When I started school, we had to write with a lead pencil until fifth grade. I was so excited to write with a pen when I started sixth grade. Afte…
How a love for writing led to medical breakthroughs
Writing is something I really enjoy. I take pleasure in writing, especially because of my beautiful handwriting. When I started school, we had to write with a lead pencil until fifth grade. I was so excited to write with a pen when I started sixth grad…
Surviving medical residency: the untold story of resilience and hope
Working as a resident in medicine can be tiring. You are expected to study, pass exams, take care of your patients without making any mistakes, keep your seniors happy, have friendly ties with your co-workers, work extremely long hours, and avoid confl…
