H. I. E.

Williams J. — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

You are G-tube, trach-dependent,deaf, blind, devastated, orphaned, forgotten,and 2 years old today.You are an incredible teacher.You arecerebral palsy,septic shock,multidrug-resistant organisms,broad-spectrum antibiotics,pulmonary edema,acute renal failure,fluid resuscitation,epinephrine,chest compressions,epinephrine,sinus tachycardia.I wonder . . . do you dream?Of peppermint breezes and thrumming valleys,burning bushes and albino woods,bottomless sun and twisting caverns,marshmallow clouds and rose-petal rains.Of swiftwater farms with slow-flowing tricklesover cotton rocks past hand-dripped castlesunder deafening moonrises through endless timewithout shadow.Without a shadow.Of a doubt.You are neither a carrot nor a cucumber.What gift can I give you?I will still say “good morning” when I enter your room.Good.Mourning.Happy birthday.

The Reason I Am

Gurzu S. — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

I have forgotten the painI have forgotten the woundsThe pain of unsleeping nightsThe wounds of failed exams;I am a physician nowI am the patients' hopeTheir teardrops move me.I became a reason for the suffering childrenI became a champion for my friendsA strange, tired but amazing child for my parentsAn eternal busy motherAnd, for sure, a hard-to-understand wife.All of these because I chose to be a physician,And I swore to be skilled in my jobBecause I like my career, I like childrenAnd I want to bring them back to health.Please, forgive me for my neglectTry to understand and let me be forthrightAnd I promise to beA real mother, although eternally busyA real wife, although sometimes hard to understandA good, but strange, child for my parentsAnd also, a champion physician.

JAMA Pediatrics: Humanities Topic Collection

H. I. E.

The Reason I Am