In health care we wish we could save the life of every patient we treat.  The reality is there are limits to what medicine and modern treatments can do to extend life and extend it on a quality basis.  Today I met three patients in a row.  All of the patients were in critical condition and the best medical advice based on their condition is that they won’t live very long.  After providing comfort to each family and listening to their stories, their hopes, their fears; I was emotionally depleted.  The problem was the day was not even half over yet and I had many more patients to see.

I took a respite break and called a good friend of mine who is clergy and we shared how frustrating it is to offer comfort in these severe circumstances.  Taking time to release my emotions and to receive emotional support was just the therapy I needed to continue my patient visits.

Today was an exercise in learning that you never know what is on the other side of the curtain until you open it and go in.  Then you have to be prepared to offer hope and encouragement the best ways you can.  What I could not on my own, I did achieve with the help of my friend.  Perhaps that is the best lesson we take away from this experience, our friends can help us when we reach out to them.  I am thankful to have people that I can reach out to when I need them!!!