End Notes
Health Care
By Hector I. Michelena, M.D., FACC
It is late now, and I have lost count of my admissions.
It is still light out because it is not yet winter.
“Mrs. O is 85 and has been referred from her nursing home,” I am told.
“She had chest pain today.”
“We will rule out stress in the morning … cath perhaps?”
A frail, soft-spoken woman is hiding under the covers.
Like a little mouse, or a scared child, she partially emerges.
Neck bent with weary eyes: “I am so cold today.”
“I lost my husband last November, doctor,”
“And I shed a tear every once in a while, 51 years of marriage you know.”
“I don’t like that place doctor.”
There is a magnetic collar around her ankle.
“Is this to prevent you from escaping?” I ask with a chuckle.
“Yes,” she says, also chuckling, “but I have never tried to run away.”
“It is difficult getting old doctor.”
I softly touch her face: “I know ma’am, I know. I’m sorry.”
She again retreats under the covers.
As I walk out: “Do you agree with the plan?” I am asked.
“Yes, sure.”
It is almost dark now, and I look out a corridor window.
My mind screams: What are we doing? What am I to do?
There is no answer.
Hector Michelena is a staff cardiologist at Mayo Clinic and assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School.