Hey Mister..

I think I'm going to start blogging about my patient experiences. I am reluctant. So much of what we love cannot be expressed in words, it is a feeling or a moment unspoken. Most of this occurs when no one else is around. I know, the whole lot of us, is driven by passion in one way or another. Maybe for our kids, our jobs, our family, our faith, love, or art. Each of us is pursuing...something. Those things are unique. I guess I see our blogs as a small way of sharing a sliver of those things with one another.

I am reluctant because I don't want it to sound like sappy crap. I am not sappy, I'm a hard-core Mo-Fo. But...most of my time is spent planning for, learning about, and caring for patients these days. So...reluctantly I will share, because it is what I love.

Today I spent my day with (and all of last night learning about) a 1 month old little boy. He has not been named, because he is a drug baby and his mom has yet to come see him. So I called him , "Hey Mister" all day (imagine it said in a "baby talk" voice) He is waiting for placement with a foster family...but thus far no luck. Except...I almost took him home with me in my purse today. All day, he stared at me, thoughtfully. Everyone that came into the room noticed it. He was trying to work something out where I was concerned. I think part of him thought I could be his mother. I wish this were the case. He is a hard core mo-fo, too. Already he has impaired Kidney function and an addiction to Heroin. Right out of the cages and this little guy already has stuff working against him. But all day he sat in my lap and stared, making cute baby faces. I wish he would never have to hurt. I know that is stupid, but that is the core of everything I felt for Hey Mister today.