Prior to seeing Saddam, I wondered how I would feel since he was one of the most notorious dictators in our time; it was a curious thing to ponder. When I actually saw him I went into what I think of as “doctor mode.” It almost surprised me to feel pretty much as I always do when I see a new patient for the first time. I treated him as any patient, my duty was to listen and assist in any way I could. One specific time when I did a thyroid exam, it really occurred to me that what I was doing was pretty incredible.
I do the exam standing behind the patient and palpate the thyroid with both hands encircling the patient’s neck so I thought, I wonder how many people have ever had their hands around his neck and lived to tell about it! I recall also thinking when I saw him that his change in status was pretty incredible (dictator to prisoner); going from a position of absolute power and incredible wealth to being a caged human. I worked in one of his palaces and saw some of his other palaces so I had an idea of his wealth.
We spoke some, but primarily through an interpreter and always about strictly clinical matters. He did cooperate with my exams, however there was a period when I was performing the cranial nerve exam where I had him puff out his cheeks, grimace, etc. It seemed he thought that I was perhaps trying to make him appear silly or something because he gave me a kind of stern look like Why are you asking me to do this. I explained to his interpreter and Saddam then looked at me, smiled, placed his hand over his chest and extended his arm as to gesture “go ahead.”
“Father, draw me close and allow me to be someone that fears you, and takes great delight in your commands. I have seen that the wicked man wastes away and his longings have come to nothing. I pray that I would seek out compassion and righteousness and conduct my affairs with justice.”
Read Psalm 112