Recounts of Patient Encounters Postcard

Recounts of Patient Encounters by Amanda Davis 24 days ago, healthy Now blood cancer Hospitalization, chemo, 81 years old The odds? Not good. Did anyone ask what you want? You do well until you don’t Unrelenting fever, shaking, arrhythmias Code. Tubes of your blood in my right, crying wife’s hand in my left 24 days later, Deceased. All you want is to be held I sneak away between tasks to see you You giggle, you clap You blow kisses to your fans But I am sad. They may not see through the show, I know you are this way because you’ve been alone, Neglected. Pathology not personality. We all stare at the chart; A medical miracle. You shouldn’t be alive. I see you for myself. You don’t speak, you don’t look at me. You are a collection of organs, Holding on by a thread. A medical miracle. This time I think It’d be better if you weren’t. “I’m dying you know” I know, but I don’t say so. I nod. Normally it’s all jokes, this is new. Today is a speech on what’s important in life You’re younger tha