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STILL IN THE GAME: CU Medicine vs COVID-19 15 Dr. Tipoe admits that the path of becoming a physician is certainly an arduous one. It is no exaggeration that a medical resident has to run a shift of 30 hours straight at times when duty calls. That’s not to mention the snap medical judgments that a doctor has to make, meaning it’s vital to maintain a clear mind. Last but not least, there’s the human emotional side of the job, which can take a toll. There’s a constant bombardment of feelings that a doctor will have to handle and sustain. He recalls with pride the day in February when he was called to join the ‘Dirty Team’ treating COVID-19 cases. One of Dr. Tipoe’s earliest coronavirus cases sticks with him. An elderly man was waiting for his coronavirus-test results to come back, and was very worried. “He feebly grabbed my hand and asked me in a trembling voice, ‘Doctor, will I die from the disease?’” Honestly, the new medic was unsure how to answer, although he reassured his patient that he would do his level best to protect him. For the first time, Dr. Tipoe realized that the stethoscope around his neck could become a heavy weight that can drag any compassionate soul down. ‘A doctor doesn’t always have all the answers,’ Dr. Tipoe admits, even though you may want nothing more than to resolve the doubts and questions in your patient’s mind, to be the rock for your patients and their families. ‘All you can do is reach a diagnosis based on your experience, come to your best conclusion, and use the right words to convey the result to your patients,’ he explains.