In extremis, her husband deposited her in the ED while bloodpoured from her mouth.Mortified, I wrapped myself in plastic and said “Do you need ahand?”Tremulous, my hands cramped as the Yonker struggled to keepup.Dissociated, I looked at the ceiling and dreamt of red Blakemoreballoons floating to the sky.
Hungover, she presented with her pancreas inflamed.Lucid, fluids and morphine went into her veins.Obtunded, she went to the ICU with an overlooked Tylenollevel.Humbled, my attending said, “This is the part that sucks.”Suppressed, her son caught my eye through a glass-door as Ished a tear and went back to work.
People crowdingPatient is crashingI stand in lineHeart pounding My turn is upI feel crackingRibs fracturingI hear the resident sayLet’s consider stoppingBut next roundROSC was obtained PatientNow intubatedPosturingBruisedTime of deathCame much later Makes me wonderIf we did more harmThan good
Patient on swallow precautionsBecause of a recent trip to the MICUFor aspiration pneumonia I go to examine herLifting her sheets gingerly,to not disturb her sleep And there, right by her mouthIs a Lindt chocolate bunnyWith the head bit right off When you’re 85,Some things are worth aspirating for
Dear Reader, Dear Reader,The stories contained in the upcoming pages reflect a collection of experiences and reflections from the current fourth-year class of medical students. These stories reflect a spectrum of experiences and emotions, from uplifting to sorrowful and even devastating. We experience the spectrum of emotion and connection in our learning from and care …
Continue reading “2024 | Voices from the Wards, Introduction”
