The Campbell Academy Blog (108)

Faramir's chance

If you have any history of reading the nonsense I write here, you will understand that one of my all-time nonfiction heroes is Faramir of Gondor.

Faramir's story in Lord of the Rings is the one which captures my heart the most above all else and in particular, when he refuses to take the ring of power from Frodo when it is offered freely but pledges to help him.

In the aftermath of that exchange, Faramir enters into a conversation with Sam (Frodo's loyal manservant). Sam compliments Faramir on how he took his chance to show his quality, the very highest, to which Faramir replies, "But nay: the praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards".

That quote is one of the quotes from Lord of the Rings, which I go back to repeatedly.

This morning, I visited Dr Hisham Maksoud in Nottingham once again.

This time, I walked the 2.5 miles into town to see him (I'm trying my best to look after myself against my better judgment).

I saw him to go over some blood results, which were less than perfect.

Perhaps more about that later when I update my previous HYPOT blog series.

What I needed from him was reassurance, kindness, empathy, understanding, knowledge, and expertise, and I got all of those and more.

I wrote a blog about Hisham Maksoud after the first time I ever met him (in the presence of greatness), and I think more of that now, not less; I think more of him than I did then, not less.

And so, imagine my surprise when I came back to the clinic to find the most extraordinary box of chocolates from Fortnum and Mason lying on my desk as a thank-you present from Hisham Maksoud.

He had been to see the practice in June.

We'd discussed it in consultations, and he was keen to see the facility.

I spent two hours of the morning with him drinking coffee and talking about healthcare and showing him around the practice, and it was an enormous privilege for me, but one which he then sent a thank you for.

I was reminded of Faramir's quote to Sam about the praise of the praiseworthy being above all rewards.

The greatest joy in my working life is never when I take the money; it's these moments that keep me going.

These are the moments that feed my soul and make it worthwhile.

Before I finish, I hope in 33 ½ years, just once, I would like to be Hisham Maksoud.