Overview

SATURDAY, 6:05 PM... Ring...Ring... " Respiratory ICU... This is Sarah… May I help you? " " Sarah. Vera. I need to tell you about an admission.... etc. " " Ellen, We're getting a new patient. Which room ? " " What's the diagnosis?" " Cystic Fibrosis. Exacerbation." " 2711 is good. " " C. F. " My heart raced at the thought of another C.F-er coming to the unit. As they rolled Jason into his room, I knew right away That I would not escape the sorrow of his pain. " Breathe in—Breathe out! " They are all so young, so vibrant, and God bless them, so defiant, As if to will their very existence. Some are outwardly strong and full of life experiences, While others are vulnerable and demanding as they try to pull life From any resource they can reach. " Vent Change Up! " Fighters fight to enhance their life circumstance, but C.F-ers, Well, they enhance their life circumstances to Fight the Fight. " Wake Up Jason! Do you know where you are? " PAIN...morphine. Jason does not want to (Just) wake up. He does not want to (Just) breathe. He does not want to (Just) start walking. Bv God! He Wants the Works! Jason just wants to have walked through a fully developed life With all the trials and tribulations he could possibly imagine. " Would You Like a Straw With Your Nutren? " Jason's Dad quietly intervened "We're grasping at all that we can. " I've found courage to be contagious... and/so... homeward I go, tying to these wonderful people and THEIR storv. FRIDAY, 2:58 PM... " I was off yesterday... What's new? " " Jason expired last night . . . . " gasp"… . . . . . " UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT NEW! " " But I am sure that wherever Jason is now ... HE IS NEW ! " Six Months Later... " I still occasionally weep for Jason And all the folks who share his sorrow. "

© Pugs, S.N.