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Cherishing the memory of Tami Fisk by Ke Li
Tami Fisk was the first doctor sent by MSI to Zhaojue, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. She was the leader of a group of three. The other two, both nurses, were Sharon Liu from Taiwan and Tomoko Nishinafrom Japan. Although I did not have much contact with Dr. Fisk, she left a deep impression on me, so deep that I will always remember. My heart is deeply touched whenever I think of her.
Tamiwas a devout Christian. She shared God』s love with others by the way she lived her own life, with a special concern for those who were suffering. The fact that she chose to serve the Yi people in an especially poor area, not yet open to foreigners, speaks for itself.
Dr. Fisk was able to adjust to the environment and open up new work. She was quick in picking up the language, first Mandarin, then Sichuan dialect and the Yi language. She was good at identifying problems, resolving conflicts, removing any barriers between Chinese and western cultures and following the local customs in living as one with the local people.
It was not long before the MSI medicalteam was able to establish a partnership with Liangshan Health School,Second Hospital of Liangshan Prefectureand Zhaojue People』s Hospital.
There they were in the frontline taking care of poor and sick farmers who had, before then, received very little medical help. Their excellent medical expertise and conscientious efforts, the way they loved their patients as family and their patient-oriented service became widely known. Those they cared for and their families, as well as their local colleagues in the hospital, shared stories of Tami and the two nurseswith others. So much so, the Governor of the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture requested at an official meeting that all government officials should learn from the MSI medical group how to serve the people wholeheartedly. An interview with Tami entitled 「American Rose」 was published in the Sichuan Daily Newspaper as a model for all medical professionals in the province.
In the spring in 1997, Dr. Fisk fell ill herself. A short-term medical team had just arrived in Kunming. The team members were very worried on hearing of Tami's illness. They immediately collected 19 bottles of the medicine thatshe urgently needed and asked me to take them to Zhaojue. From their concerned looks I thought thatTami must be very ill and would be resting in her room. I went directly to the MSI medical staff quarters in Zhaojue People』s Hospital to see her, only to find that she was still seeing patients in the hospital.
When she finally returned after dark, I noticed that the young doctor was looking much thinner than when I had first met her a year earlier. Shethanked me forthe medicines I had brought to her, had a quick wash and was about to eat dinner when there was a knock on the door.
It was a Yi man from a neighboring village who had come with a relative. He did not know Dr. Fisk, but had only heard of her. She invited them to come in and sit down, then gently told them that she was Dr. Tami Fisk. The man told her that he had cancer of theesophagusand had undergone surgery but still felt unwell. He wondered whether the illness had been cured and asked Dr. Fisk whether it would be possible to have the illness cured once and for all in the United States. If there were a way in the US, he would sell all his property to go to see a doctor there. Seeing this man with such a strong desire to live, Dr. Fisk felt burdened. She asked him to explain his medical history in detail, including how he got the disease, what treatment he had received and how he felt after the treatment. She listened attentively and with much compassion. She looked through his medical records and then carefully explained to him that the treatment would have been the same in the US. There was no special procedure. It was normal for him to feel discomfort after the surgery and it would take time to get used to it. She also told him that the cure rate for early treatment of esophagus cancer is relatively high, and encouraged him not to be too anxious. Finally, she advised him on how to keep healthy, to have routine check-ups to prevent recurrence, etc. Dr. Fisk was so careful, sincere and practical that the patient was greatly reassured. He had gained a better knowledge of his illness and had increased in his confidence in fighting the disease. He put aside his idea of going abroad and was very happy when he said good-bye. It was late in the night by the time he left.
I had sat there the whole time witnessing the positive interaction between the doctor and her patient, full of respect, love and trust. Sadly, for a number of reasons, this is rather rare inmost hospital settings. I also witnessed and was moved byTami』s devotion, no matter when, where or how she herself was feeling. This happened just one day before Dr. Fisk was herself experiencing so much pain that she had to travel to Xichang for a medical examination.
Dr. Fisk and I went to Xichang together. Dr. Taylor, MSI』s President, prayed before lunch, 「Lord, we commit Tami to your hands. Take good care of her and keep her in peace.」 My heart echoed this prayer, and in my heart I also prayed,"May good people be kept in peace throughout their lives." Dr. Fisk and I departed after lunch and we never saw each other again.
Occasionally I received updates about her:
Dr. Fisk had returned to the United States forhome leaveandfurther studies. She wanted tofurther equip herself to meet the needs of people in Zhaojue;
Dr. Fiskhad fallenill. She had contractedmalignant melanoma, went through radiotherapy, chemotherapy and had lost her hair; She was fighting valiantly against the disease, there were ups and downs but her condition had eventually been brought under control;
Dr. Fisk had gone to Thailand,even though she had not yet fully recovered, was doingresearch into AIDSwhile taking medicine herself.
I worried for her health, yet was also movedby her persistent will and selfless spirit.
It was some time during 2002 when I received a phone call. A bright and clear female voice said, 「Ke Lao, do you remember me? This is Tami Fisk!」
「Hi, Tami! How are you, Tami? Where are you?」 What a pleasant surprise!
「I am in Chengdu.」
「I thought you were in Thailand.」
「Yes, I am doing AIDS research in Thailand, but I have come to Chengdu for a holiday.」
「How is your health?」
「I am fine, thank you. How are you?」
「I am fine, too. Thank you. Will you be coming to Beijing?」
「I would like to but I am afraid I won』t be able to make it this time.」
「We all miss you -Zhang Lao, Yang Lao, and Ding Lao (MSI Consultants in Beijing).You have been away from China for several years, yet you still speak very good Mandarin. This is not easy! Are you coming back to China?」
「Yes, I really want to come back to China.」
「That』s great! We』ll wait for you. Do take care of yourself.」
I was very pleased about that phone conversation. Tami was of full of vigor and vitality. There was no sign of her serious illness. It was amazing.
On 8th of February, the eve of Chinese New Year, Dr. Taylor called andtold mehe just got off the phone withTami. She had broken the news to him that there was nothing further that the doctors coulddo. She had only two weeks left on earth. Dr. Taylor said, 「She was peaceful, very peaceful! Although her speech was slow, it was very clear.」
It was like a bolt from the blue! I could not hold myself together after hanging up the phone. Many moving stories about Dr. Fisk came to my mind. My heart, my whole body was shaken. I asked, 「What kind of strength is it that enabled this pretty, frail lady, a young, professional medical doctor and a cancer survivor, to give all she had left to care for the poor and needy, and to radiate such shining light!」 I think there can only be one answer: Tami is a devout Christian. Her mission in life is to give and share love.
The bad news finally came. Tami Fisk passed away quietly on the morning of March 5th. She was 39 years old. What a holy life she lived!
Dr. Fisk, Tami, we will always miss you. Those who were healed by you, touched by you, as well as those who knew you and befriended you, will always remember you. You will live in our hearts forever. Life is eternal when living in people』s hearts. |
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