Recently Mr. V, a general manager of a large company, was admitted into the VIP ward for a minor cervical problem. Since his arrival, the whole ward was in a buzz. Visitors were lining up to express their solicitude for him and no regulation was strict enough to prevent their comings and goings as each visitor was in earnest. No one bothered to visit those ex-VIPs who were more in need of care and concern. Vicissitudes of life are common to us all. While we admire their wealth and their power, few have known the discomfort brought upon them by just those things.

     Besides pain of the neck and numbness of the upper arms, Mr. V’s problem was not serious. The diagnosis of MRI was mild dislocation of the cervical vertebrae causing partial suppression of the nerves, the treatment of which was diverse. Within days at least a dozen experts had opined and had prescribed dissimilar prescriptions. Three famous doctors had performed massage for him, three TCM doctors had prescribed herbal regimen, another doctor purchased a special pillow, and other doctors recommended brand-new potent pain-killers. Every one was confident in his own expertise, but the symptoms were worsening. Mr. V was experiencing increasing pain daily; what was worse, he couldn’t eat and sleep well. When I was on night duty, I followed the dean into his room to inspect his ailments. He sat in his armchair, his neck erect with the support of a buttress, hiccoughing spasmodically. He really made a poor picture of himself. The dean explained the situation to him patiently and he attentively listened to him. His neck needed urgent rest, the dean said, but continual visitors made it impossible as he had to repeatedly turn his head towards each visitor as a show of courtesy, which only added further stress on his aching neck. As to his indigestion the dean told him that his bowels and bladder also needed adequate relaxation as during the day he was too polite to excuse himself to the toilet. The next day Mr. V found another room to rest and asked the nurses to tell the visitors to come next time. The methods worked. After an adequate rest for three days, his symptoms relieved a lot and he was able to sleep soundly. He was discharged from hospital within two weeks. What a relief, for him and for us.

Another pain which those having power have to endure is during the last year of one’s incumbency. At this stage many are preparing for departure and making plans about what they should do after retirement. He knows in his heart that with his power stripped away his prestige and glory is coming to an end. Bouts of depression or insomnia begin to visit upon him. As a man being good at assessing human character, he is quickly discerning a note of alienation from those who have been ardent followers of him. Many subordinates are prudent enough to avoid stepping into the area around his office in case they should be  suspected of having am ambiguous character as not to know which direction the wind blows. Poor man!

As competition becomes daily fierce in every field, some VIPs take caution not to let their health conditions known to their superiors and subordinates. During a routine examination, one such man was found to have diabetes. As this illness was very common, so the doctor in charge didn’t conceal the facts and wrote the diagnosis on his files. The doctor made a great error. When the man learnt of his illness being known to others, he refused to step into that hospital again. Movies stars and other celebrities also hate to let their health conditions known. We common folks need never to bother about such things, so always remember in times of low that we have lots of reasons to be happy and cheerful. Everything has its upsides and downsides.