Loss..

I mourn for you, my patient who did not

Make it out of the hospital, hard though you fought

You had placed your trust in my judgment

To give you the best outcome was my intent

The risk-benefit ratio was favorable, I had explained

The results of the treatment were good in my experience, I had claimed

Even though you were brought to our attention a bit late

When you were already in a decompensated state

I was cautiously optimistic that you would pull through

As you struggled, we attempted every measure to salvage you

The concerted efforts of an excellent team were not enough

To change your fate, to accept the inevitable outcome was tough

For me and my team, it was dispiriting to break

The news to your family, to witness the heartbreak…

*

I mourn for the life after treatment you never got to see

I obsess over whether I could have done things differently

Those who do not make it are the ones who leave behind

The most profound lessons-for my soul and my mind

Today was an important lesson for me

In recognizing my limitations, practicing humility