There are doctors who warm with words, comfort with a placid smile and rebuild with a serene look. In this way, the patient’s wounds are bandaged without even examining him. They already recognize him with his warm and close welcome.
Often, patients go to the consultation distressed; with a feeling of weather and restlessness. The one that afflicts us when our health breaks down and we begin to notice a multitude of symptoms that are often amplified by going to sources of consultation that are not entirely reliable. Fears that unleash – sometimes unfounded – an existential storm that breaks our spirits. This helplessness becomes more acute when you enter the office with your small child in your arms.
But the heavens open to you when the medical gaze is compassionate and authentically supportive, without a platform or podium. This frequently happened to us when we went to the consultation of pediatrician Begoña Sánchez, at the Eras de Renueva Health Center. His mere presence instilled serenity. The security of feeling in beneficial hands. “Don’t even think about smoking,” were the last words he said to my eldest daughter when she turned fourteen and, after a lifetime of keeping her safe, she had to change her clothes. But fortunately the witness of his care was left in the hands of another good doctor. Dr. Carlos Merino, who practiced in that same office and of whom a few days ago we learned the news that his earned retirement has occurred. Jubilant for him, not so much for his patients.
I recently read some reflections by the philosopher José María Esquirol who asserts that “everything should not be pathologized; The difficulty of existence is not a disease. “That is the medical view,” this is that of doctors like Merino, who always mended spirits with his timely advice and accurate diagnosis, away from any inappropriate alarmism.
His patients will always remember him for his closeness, dedicating the necessary time to allow you to vent your fears, clarify your doubts, making an effort to help you understand the possible causes of what was happening to you in order to be able to assume the consequences. Calling you by your first name while looking into your eyes. With the closeness, warmth and quality of the good teacher that exudes humanity.
He knew well which door to his office was. Around them a growing number of people were waiting, patiently, to be attended to by Don Carlos.
It will be difficult to forget his warm assistance and folksy sense of humor. The diaphanous and restorative look that was already therapeutic in itself.
Loving memory for Dr. Begoña Sánchez and Dr. Carlos Merino. And eternal gratitude to both. On behalf of all of us who were fortunate enough to be cared for and cured by your good work and humanity.
