Page 34 - Layout 1

SAN ANTONIO
MEDICINE

Bearing Witness Through Stories

By Kristy Y. Kosub, MD

Medical students at the Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, continue to engage in Project 6 -55, a guided reflective writing work-
shop where they write and share 6-word and 55-word stories about patient care experiences during their clinical clerkships. Writing stories gives our
students the opportunity to connect more deeply with the illness experience of their patients. Their narratives share themes of vulnerability, respon-
sibility and empathy, as they bear witness to patients’ sickness and trauma and attempt to understand their role… to listen and to be present with the
patient in their suffering. ~ Kristy Y. Kosub MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio

I only drink 3 or 4 He’s ready to go home now all the patient would see when they wake
I only drink 3 or 4 a week, I’ve cut down. “The bluebonnets at our house are lovely – would be the work of a student.
Yellow, distended belly, puffed up legs. like heaven.” The marks left behind, an everlasting scar for
I don’t crave alcohol anymore, I haven’t She wants to move him there, surrounded by them and for me.
stopped everything they grew together. ~Ryan Molina
because my doctor told me it’s dangerous to “I love him so much, I’m not ready.”
stop completely. For a second, I see my husband lying there in- I just want to feel normal
Tremulous, sweat, weakness. stead of hers. Narcan brought him back.
Feel free to call my wife and ask her. “He said he’s ready to go home, but I don’t ESRD and tied to a hemodialysis machine.
Hello?..... It’s been this way for 40 years. think he means Kerrville.” Necrotic foot with unfathomable pain.
~ Gabriela Guerrero ~ Madison Feng He told his story while holding his foot in
pain,
Sister Hello! My name is student doctor… picking off a chunk of desiccated skin.
Beginning of a trauma shift. And I’ll be taking a history and… oh, really? Abandoned by his loved ones.
In yellow gowns, goggles, N95s. Sorry to hear. I just want my mother.
What happened? Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. I just cannot take it anymore.
Multiple people MVC. When did your symptoms… oh ha ha! I just want to feel normal.
Who’s got the pedi? That’s really funny. I like your outlook. ~ Jeffrey Xia
I volunteer. Do you mind if I check your blood… oh, I’m
She rolls in, clutching a Frozen blanket. a third year. Young mom with pain, life changed
Assess her head-to-toe. Your son too? That’s awesome! She is just 35 with a 7-year-old at home.
Where’s my sister? Okay, see you tomorrow. Now she’s in a hospital bed, scared, alone.
I don’t know. ~ Rahul Patel She came in for aches and pain.
Her question echoes in the CT. Doctor said it’s cancer, stage 4.
The resident types into her chart. I have my God, he says Started in her breast, now in her bones.
Today, she is an only child. A terrible fever, a necrotic ulcer, Too young for screenings, no family history.
~Chelsea Wu a veteran staunchly refusing surgery. Who could have guessed this was coming
But you may die, we say. next.
Find the needle in the haystack I believe in my God, he says. ~Kalli Henning
The patient arrived after his fall. He gazed We want to save your life, we say.
upon me, frustrated. I have my God, he says. He kept reaching for his words
Before speaking, his eyes communicated the We’re out of options, we say. Unknown male patient, brought in by EMS.
countless workups, Then I suppose we’re done, he says. I first met him in the ED, nervous he would
years of uncertainty, and moment after mo- And he was gone. tell me
ment of disappointment. ~ Anonymous to leave him alone or go away. Nervous he
As I stepped closer, he extended his hand and would ask me
reached to me. A life saved, but skin flawed for something I could not give.
I followed and extended mine, our hands I could feel the eyes of the patient even Most days his prognosis stayed the same;
meeting. though they slept. ischemic stroke, damage done.
“Find the needle in the haystack, please.” It stings to know that out of all the work, But he kept reaching for his words.
~ Frank Jing all the expertise in that room, ~Brittany Hansen

34 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • June 2021