(IM)Mortality
Last week, I lost my patient for the first time…
This case is one of those cases in a diagnostic dilemma.
She came in with Septic-Metabolic Encephalopathy which resolved eventually. However, her persistent hypercalcemic state made us investigate on the probably of malignancy. It was a 15-day battle for her family and for us doctors.
On the day I accompanied her in GI Clinic for EGD, she was very conscious and uttered with so much effort the words "Thank you ha!" I wouldn’t forget how happy she was when she said that. I don’t know exactly if she was referring to our "general patient care" or for the EGD that she had which is a procedure that is slightly hard to tolerate. I admired her courage for allowing herself to undergo every procedure or treatment that we had offered her.
I opted not leave her when the priest came for her final sacrament. Tears flowed from my eyes. I can’t look at her son’s face for I don’t know what to say. When she finally left us, her son came to me and expressed his gratitude for taking care of her mother. I was relieved by what he said for it reflected acceptance of his mother’s death.
My patient’s death made me realize that I made a difference for my patients. Likewise, I was touched by their lives aside from learning from their cases.
February 28th, 2006 at 6:42 am
Yeah, it’s hard when you see patients die. I’ve been moonlighting for two months and I’ve seen a patient die because of Subarachnoid bleed. It was too late when they brought him to the hospital were I’m working. Sigh. I think it’s one of the things in our profession which I wouldn’t really get used to
February 28th, 2006 at 6:43 am
by the way, come please see me site: prudencemadness.blogspot.com. I’m tagging you, by the way, hehe.
March 21st, 2006 at 8:09 am
nice entry tuks!
May 23rd, 2006 at 9:25 am
Thinking About Forever Lyrics
by P.O.D.
Time goes by and God knows I try to carry on with life
Decide not to hide feelings inside, even though they hurt
Sometimes, I forget to remember you
It’s easy to lock away the pains, don’t want to relive it through
But I stay strong, you taught me how to move on in this world
I married my sweetheart, even got a little baby girl
I wish you could see her, I swear she looks just like you
If you can hear me, show me a sign, please send her a butterfly or two
[chorus:]
I’m thinking about forever (missing you)
I know you’re so much better (we made it through)
Now I know what it means to live for someone else
To give up yourself
Things have changed, at times it gets kind of strange
Your love remains the same
Do I make you proud? Mama, can you see me now?
Whatever is good in me is because you showed me how to take love by the hand
And so now I can share you with my baby
So that she can understand
[chorus]
[ending chorus:]
I’m thinking about forever (missing you)
I know you’re so much better (we made it through)
I’m thinking about forever (missing you)
I’m tripping on whatever (hearing you)
– this song was written by Sonny Sandoval (lead vocalist of P.O.D., in memory of his mother, who passed away when he was nineteen. the song hit me hard because it made me realize that, life still does go on. and even though we may lose an important person in our life, be it a loved one or an acquaintance, the impact that person left on you will still keep you goin’, and it will keep your mind & heart on what matters most; that life is precious, especially a life that is under the influence of God’s Word. hope this one helps.