I don't like what you have to say. Good bye.

I saw a patient today who got into a verbal altercation with her partner while in an automobile.  Several things led up to that point, but long story short, she had had enough of the conversation and decided to jump out of the car.  Considering that the vehicle was moving, she fared well.  No major injuries and could not recall the event, the events leading up to the event, and the few days in the hospital she spent after the incident.  The extreme lengths to which people are willing to go in order to do things their way amazes me.

Another patient came in because she fainted a few days ago and had no recollection of it happening.  Apparently this happens on a very regular schedule, but years removed from each event.  Peculiar, interesting, and most likely more to the story than the patient shared.

I'm not sure that patients ever share their full stories.  There may be rare occasions, but none of us are perfect story tellers, whether it be due to conscious decision to withhold information, or just because we don't want to divulge too much.  Regardless, it's a physician's job to work with a puzzle that may be missing pieces, but to put it together to construct something cohesive and sensible.  As a student who formerly trained in engineering school, this inexact science is a daunting and unattractive task.  As a medical student and future doctor, this is the rest of my life, and I'm looking forward to each day and patient that's left in it.