Guilt

Sanaz Ghafouri

June 3, 2016

Let me be the one to heal your pain
To ensure your strength will soon regain
I promise to do well, and never to do harm
Which is why this event caused me much alarm

My patient was found to have a DVT
But mistakenly sent home without therapy
Returned three days later with shortness of breath
Fearing the worst, that he was closer to death

I restarted therapy to treat the lung clot
Remembering management that we were taught
My patient felt better, breathing with ease
No more rhonchi, crackles or even a wheeze

My patient was found to have a DVT
But mistakenly sent home without therapy
The burden of guilt is the hardest part
I question what could’ve been done from the start

Embracing me warmly, oblivious to my shame,
My patient’s revitalized health absolves me from blame
A momentary lapse in judgment, an unclear mind
Led to a life in the balance and a moral bind

Never forget the number one rule
More important than what was learned in medical school
We are only humans and we make mistakes
We are not only programmed to treat pains and aches

Always stay humble and pay close mind
To every document and discharge note signed
My patient was found to have a DVT,
Fortunately, he was sent home, healed and disease-free