By: Jennie Hamilton, PGY2

The poem is based on an ICU patient that I helped cared for in the UAB MICU. The patient came to us essentially in multi-organ failure and did not have any close family or visitors. We all thought of her as a very sad "case." Just as life support was withdrawn, a friend from her nursing home visited unexpectedly and held her hand and talked to her as she passed -- bringing the patient to life in a sense.

Her case was marked
by laboratory reports,
mechanical support,
medication titration,
dutiful documentation,
numbers and doses,
a poor prognosis.
No family left,
not one left bereft?

As the bell tolled,
our heads and hearts low,
a visitor appeared,
her purpose here unclear.
A questioning glance
between doctor and nurse
as the stranger gently took
a swollen hand, a knowing look,
and as if to a dear friend:
“I’m so glad I made it in time.”

A song swelled softly in the room
as a final outpouring of love
brought case to life
before our eyes,
as the series
of telemetry ticks
slowed
to stop.