Bonus Poem: At Rounds

In honor and in awe of, and in deep thanks for, all the people at Cardiovascular Center ICU, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, including the amazing Dr. William Lynch and Dr. Jules Lin; ever-vigilant, smart and compassionate nurses, all of whom I did not meet, but those I have so far were Katie, Cristina, Shamani, Rob, Austin, Lauren and Miriam; doctors whose names I know, Brian Woodcock, Robert Freundlich, Nathan Peffley, as well as the many brave and faithful presenters at daily  rounds; nurse practitioners Rachel and Courtney; ECMO specialists such as Don and another woman whose name I can’t remember; pulmonologist Paul; student nurses Devlyn and Krista; housekeeping personnel; ICU unit host Susan Mann; and everyone else I have forgotten and/or who care for others, who in learning, continue to create better care for so many people in great need, as you have for my brother and all his family.

At Rounds

Oh, what a privilege to stand
Amidst a people who command
The knowledge of the facts of life
In hopes of ending breathing strife.

They give the numbers and the stats,
A virtual torrent of the facts
That might describe just how he fares
While all they seek inspires my prayers.

My tears pour as they work to save
My brother from a breathless grave;
We long for these new lungs to heal
That they, to him, might life reveal.

None gives assurance of success,
Yet, come what may, their care has blessed
Us all to see how much we need
To know, and show, God's love in deed.

Scott L. Barton
August 4, 2015