I Can't Let Her Go

She's the mother I loved, hard working and strong.
She cared for my father. My decision was wrong.
I can't let her go.

As her memory fades and she just can't think clearly.
I will fight to the end for her. I love her so dearly.
I can't let her go.

As her kidneys both fail and she has renal cell cancer.
To keep her alive, dialysis is the answer.
I can't let her go.

As her gut becomes stuck. Her bowels will not move.
An operation will cure her. Surgeon, that you must do.
I can't let her go.

As she grows weak and her blood barely flows.
If I could just feed her, I know her strength would grow.
I can't let her go.

As she chokes on the food, the life-giving meal.
She passes in the distance. This just can't be real.
I can't watch her go.

Andrea Cavey
Class of 2014

Walking From The Car

The hospital sleeps, as only a few scattered room lights pierce the dawn

The air is still, quiet, and calm.

During this walk from the car, take a few moments, to find those simple pleasures, and natural beauties, that make you say, "man, life is beautiful", and "it’s going to be a great day."

The blades of grass list to and fro, as the nourishing morning dew glistens on each strand,

The trees reach for the sky, proudly showing their lush collection of summer greenage.

The stars begin to dim, as the sun casts out it’s warming rays

And as you walk from the car… realize… that we are lucky my friends

What will come today?  Surgery? Clinic? Rounding? Will you work on a beating heart? Remove a diseased Colon?  Excise that cancer? Take out that gallbladder? Reroute around the stomach?  

Who will show up in clinic today?  That patient you scrubbed in on two weeks ago should be doing well. 

How is everybody on the floor?  I hope they have been eating, walking, gained bowel and bladder function, and have their pain under control.

But as you walk from the car, remember… that we are lucky my friends, for we have been privileged to wear these white coats.

 As you go about your day, remember… that these white coats are a portal to think critically…. To be compassionate…. To save lives…  to be trusted by complete strangers…. And, well, they are a portal to care for others.

So as you walk from the car….  stand tall….. hold your head up high….. keep a smile on your face…. play a joyous song in your heart…. And take the time to say good morning to a complete stranger.

For this is it my friends… this is the big league… we’ve made it… for we are "student doctors"…. And……well…..“it’s going to be a great day.”

Clark Brewer

Class of 2014