Abstract
Description
Death does not thrill me anymore. I am a trauma surgeon extraordinaire! The patient had suffered a traumatic brain injury and has struggled for weeks. He is only 16. Today, the family decided to make him “comfort care.” I was at the end of my call, exhausted, drained of all energy. I looked out of the ICU window and saw the fading rain and the city lights. It somehow reminded me of a precious life ebbing away, and I burst into a silent scream. I am still human.
Keywords: dying, humanities, light, medicine in the arts, patient death, photography, rain, self-reflection
Funding Statement
This research was supported (in whole or in part) by HCA Healthcare and/or an HCA Healthcare-affiliated entity.
Footnotes
Conflicts of Interest: The author declares no conflicts of interest.
The author is an employee of Grand Strand Medical Center, a hospital affiliated with the journal’s publisher.
This research was supported (in whole or in part) by HCA Healthcare and/or an HCA Healthcare-affiliated entity. The views expressed in this publication represent those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of HCA Healthcare or any of its affiliated entities.