The Doctor Sent Her Away

“The Doctor won’t even see her,” my sister said.

What?

Major infection is in her arm –

the arm where she had the surgery!

“That’s why they won’t help her at the clinic –

because it’s associated with the surgery. They say we must go

to the hospital emergency room –

the black hole of medicine.”

My God – what is happening to the world?

How can doctors and nurses turn away an 80 year old woman

who just had surgery –

and now has infection –

in so much pain –

so ill?

What about the oath –

to do no harm?

She waits in the hospital emergency room for hours –

The infection grows with each passing moment.

The discoloration of skin and seeping pus –

symptoms of infection that permeates the arm

and flows upward searching to destroy the surgeon’s handiwork

and the Father’s creation.

The neglect and seeping apathy –

symptoms of infection that permeates many in the ‘system’

and flows out searching to destroy those who pay with their last dollar

and last breath.

Father, protect her.

Bring her someone who still cares –

who still listens –

who acts.

He does.

–Dawn Cawthon Behrens

About grandawn

I work as administrative support in the Oklahoma State University Art Dept. For the past few years, I have been responsible for finances, paperwork, and other decisions for my parents who lived in Texas. Working now to finalize everything after Father's death in 2012 and Mother's death in 2013. I also keep busy blogging, writing children's books, and occasionally shooting commercials. I live in Oklahoma, USA. I have three wonderful grandchildren. I am a teacher, writer, actor, singer. . . and whatever else I can manage.

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14 Responses to The Doctor Sent Her Away

opoetoo says:

July 5, 2010 at 9:11 am

Glad she is better.
I like the last few lines best!

- grandawn says:
  
  July 5, 2010 at 9:42 am
  
  I am so glad she is better physically! Thank you!
  
adeeyoyo says:

July 4, 2010 at 10:59 pm

Sad indictment of our society! So it’s not only 3rd World countries. I know some people become doctors just for the earning potential and it’s a disgrace!

- grandawn says:
  
  July 5, 2010 at 12:28 pm
  
  You’re so right. Some, evidently, don’t want to have to take any responsibility.
  
Madmom says:

July 4, 2010 at 2:38 pm

How awful. I do hope by now that she is doing much better.

granny1947 says:

June 23, 2010 at 2:27 am

Oh my word…I thought it was only our health system that was so ghastly!
I am so glad she is doing better.

nrhatch says:

June 22, 2010 at 10:06 am

Evocative poem . . . awful situation.

- grandawn says:
  
  June 22, 2010 at 5:17 pm
  
  Thank you, my dear. We are so happy that she is so much better today.
  
Vivian Zabel says:

June 22, 2010 at 7:50 am

More and more doctors and hospitals refuse to accept new patients who are on Medicare, or even let them go, refuse to keep them as patients.

Our wonderful government-run health care in action.

- grandawn says:
  
  June 22, 2010 at 5:16 pm
  
  One really bad thing about this is that the clinic is the one where her doctors are located. She went to the walk-in section. Ridiculous!
  
knittingmaestro says:

June 22, 2010 at 6:51 am

How horrible…..I’m praying….

- grandawn says:
  
  June 22, 2010 at 5:15 pm
  
  Thank you! She is much better today after antibiotics through IV in the hospital. Of course, she would much rather not be back in the hospital – being in the hospital for the shoulder replacement surgery was more than enough. 🙂
  
cindy says:

June 22, 2010 at 6:07 am

Terrifying, heartbreaking.
Medicine is no longer a vocation, it is just another cut-throat business.

- grandawn says:
  
  June 22, 2010 at 5:13 pm
  
  Some of the medical personnel who have treated my mother during her surgery and now through this ordeal have really tried. It just seems there are more and more who appear not to care. It breaks my heart.