The Nice Skunk

She had been assigned to PICU RED.
That was my team.
A shunt was to be placed,
to remove the pressure from her brain.
Her long-term prognosis?
A short-term lifespan.
Palliative neurosurgery.
My attending pulls me aside—
he empowers me to sit this one out.
The patient is my best friend’s daughter.
My twin.
Jane1.

  1. Jane Tyler was diagnosed with DIPG, a terminal brain tumor, during the start of our class’s 3rd year. Jane passed away in August, 2023. Her mother, Kate Tyler, is a beloved classmate of ours and has approved the use of Jane’s name in this story written by Jane’s dear friend and our classmate, Lexi.

Lexi Steffenbell

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