So, Christmas time is great, except when you're sick. And except when you're taking care of the sick people. This past week has been full of not-fun things.
- I diagnosed someone with metastatic cancer
- I watched a family opt to turn off life support
- I told a daughter that grandma won't be able to leave the hospital in time to go on the family cruise
- I can't figure out why my lady with her second organ transplant is back in the ICU
- I handed a man his vomit bucket as he told me hasn't been able to eat in 17 days
- I got the autopsy results from a 33 year old patient, and I'm still not sure why he died
It's been full of little miracles, too, if I think about it.
- Mr. M took his first steps in the 6 weeks since his liver transplant
- Mr. L is going to make it home on Thursday, in time for Christmas with his wife
- Mr. H got his liver transplant a week ago and is sailing along
- Ms. O is home, even though she doesn't have a diagnosis yet
- Mr. K isn't having 18 bowel movements a day since the treatment finally started to work
I guess that's the way life is. Ebbs and flows. Ups and downs. Without one, how would you know the other? Without a low, how could you recognize (let alone appreciate) a high? So, I'll be thankful today for both the trials and the joys. I can learn from the trials, making the joys that much more exhilarating.
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1 comment:
wow. crazy. those kinds of sadnesses sure are tough this time of year. But thank God for the miracles.
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