Death

Today was my last day in leukemia clinic. My spirits were up. My first patient was a woman who had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in remission now for 5 years. Fast forward to the last patient, somebody with the same leukemia not responding to 2 rounds of chemo. It was the first time I got to witness the process of breaking bad news.

"I'm sorry that we find ourselves here.."

The patient seemed in shock. All she could say was that she didn't expect this. Her husband looked around as if he was trying to find cues on how to process the information. I couldn't help but to look down. My tears were starting to form although I just met the patient. His tears started falling.

I can't imagine what their Thanksgiving would be like. Another chemo doesn't sound promising. They will be thinking about whether it's best to let the disease run its present course. Waiting for death.. aah what a journey that must be.

At the end, my preceptor shook the couple's hand and said, "God bless." What else can you really say at this point? I shook their hands. God bless..