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IS THERE CARE IN HEALTH CAREJudy Bearden RN
I have been a nurse for 10 years, I started out in a hospital setting where I worked cardiac and lung cancer surgery patients, I am now a home health case manager nurse. I wrote this poem after going out one day to assist a mother with her 22 year old son who had a traumatic brain injury in a 4-wheeler accident. He had a trach, feeding tube, foley cath and skin breakdown from being in a long term care facility for 2 months. The insurance company allowed me three visits to teach the mother how to care for her son. Many times as I looked at the patient as he lay in the bed the lines blurred between her son and my daughter, as I looked at him I sometimes saw my child and thought except for the grace of God this could easily be my child. I wondered how I would react if it were me, what must it feel like when the people whom you put your trust in tell you your childs life will cost too much to save. And yes I can easily see that it would also be much cheaper and cost effective to let this young man go, but what if it were my child or yours? Then what would be the cost?
He cannot be salvaged, rehabbed, or saved We will turn off the respirator later today His mother’s heart pauses and shatters But he’s my child doesn’t that matter The care in healthcare slips out the door The respirator slows down and the room is still His mother holds her breath and fights for a strong will But his chest continues to rise and fall with a normal rate He will never be able to move on his own this coma is his fate And the care in healthcare slips out the door Against all odds she brings him home to stay That’s my child is all she will say Insurance company says he can’t be helped, so we won’t pay That’s my child she continues to say And the care in healthcare slips out the door I look in her eyes and I see determination and strength For her child she’s willing to go to great lengths I look at her son and wonder how she will cope She has had no training, and no assistance, she only has hope As I leave the home I whisper a prayer Dear God please help to remember always to care.
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