Never before have I felt so "drug out", as the father of one of my patients kept saying to describe his previously healthy son who was unable to speak after a viral encephalitis. The kids I took care of this week took my previously in check emotions and took them for a joy ride down Depressing Road. I came home every night thinking about what lay around the next corner and how impossibly lucky I've been thus far in my life. When we wake up each morning we can't possibly know how our lives might irrevocably change that day. The mother of my 5 year old patient couldn't have possibly imagined how their morning bike ride would end...with her son severely brain damaged after being hit by a van. I could tell you more of what I saw this week but that's not really the point. I walked out of the hospital at the end of the week yearning to see a happy healthy child. In fact, I craved it.
I've seen all of these things before and have been able to deal with them in stride, just like every other day on the job. But last week it got to me. Those kids got to me. This week, for every night that I walk in my front door and my husband and two dogs are there waiting for me, I will give thanks for that day.
No comments:
Post a Comment