She was an Indian lady in her 70s.

She walked in, beaming, unassisted, without a walking aid.

"Hello Doctor!", she said cheerfully, inspite of having waited for me the past one hour.

"My english not so good. Speak Tamil and Malay only. English bit bit." she continued in broken English. I couldn't help but be infected by her enthusiasm. I smiled back at her.

She was here for her old medications and to review her blood test results.

"This is really good! Bagus!" I said pointing to her blood results and giving her the thumbs up sign.

She grinned back, and explained "I exercise every morning."

"Jalan?" I replied with my fingers walking sign.

"Nono! I exercise!" she answered, flexing and extending her elbows enthusiastically.

"Ahhh.... Very good!" I commended her and laughed. Such a cute and dear old lady. The consultation went on as I tried to understand what she was trying to say and at the same time trying to convey my message.

Just as the consultation was ending and as she was about to leave the room, she suddenly turned back and said what sounded like "You marry?"

"Huh?" I went, not quite sure if I had heard her correctly.

"Doctor, you marry?", she repeated.

"Oh oh! You mean if I'm married? Nono. I'm single." I laughed and showed her my ringless ring finger.

"Ah.. Nevermind." she said and without warning, she had laid hands on my head and muttered something under her breath.

"Okay already! Cancan." she finally said. "Thank you Doctor!" and gratefully shook my hand.

"You're most welcome" I answered, truely thankful to have met a patient like she.

For the rest of the day, I had a warm buzz in my heart, a smile on my face and the enthusiasm of this elderly indian lady never left me.


Just the reason for me to do what I do everyday :)