Friday, May 14, 2010

The ill-prepared

My job at Mount Sinai involves dying people. Everyday, I work with people who are dying. Almost always, we know what they are dying from, when they will die, and how they will die. Some days, they die.

In Haiti, we work with dying people. But often, because we have no resources, we have no idea why they are dying. And often, because us Westerners are seeing diseases we've only read about in books, we don't know when or how they will die.

Today, a 2 year old child, who was so malnourished that he looked like a 12 month old, and so emaciated that we couldn't draw blood for testing or place an IV for hydration, died. And we didn't know why. And we couldn't predict it. And after it all went down, we were only left with questions.

Who is responsible for this? Why don't we know what's going to hurt them? When is this going to get better? How can we, the supposed "experts," not know how to help them? What can any of us do to change this?

3 comments:

  1. Hopefully, what you and others have, are and will do will be like a pebble thrown in a lake. Sharing your experiences with others will create a ripple effect and cause us to be more compassionate and giving of ourselves for those in need. It can make a big difference. We are so very proud of you all. You are truly gifts.

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  3. You are practicing medicine of 200 years ago. Your clinical skills will enable you to treat people to the best of your ability. And your abilities are great. Don't confuse your role, you are doing the best you can with what you have. That's all we can ask for. XOXO.

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