I know, it's a cheesy title. But I'll never forget the time I saw a patient on rounds who was in serious condition after a certain disease process took hold, severely compromising their ability to breathe and communicate (I'm protecting patient confidentiality, I know it might subtract a little from the story). It was one of my first experiences with a patient so close to passing on, and I smiled at the patient when she brought her eyes up to mine, that's all I could do. It was like I was gripped by sadness inside but also reaching for a little bit of warmth inside of me to share.
I hope it warmed their heart just a little. I don't think about this episode that often, but it's already one of those things that never leaves me. Beforehand I was told the patient wouldn't make it, but still, I hope that whenever they passed, they did so surrounded by people who loved them and will continue to remember them. I know I will.
No comments:
Post a Comment