Some patient situations just get to us and shake our emotions.
This past week lost 2 patients and I'm still troubled.
A teen male who developed endocarditis, vegetative emboli everywhere including brain...and stroked out. Sick with the flu 2 days at home...then went unresponsive on parents who are in shock and blaming themselves.
Also a woman admitted for fever, chills...suspected sepsis with multisystem response. Her temp soared to 108 and she was brain dead before we could intervene or even diagnose the cause...all tests NEG (including ct, blood cultures, LP, xrays) so far...awaiting some reason for this poor lady's tragedy. The docs are shaken...and stumped. Hard to tell loved ones "we don't know why but she is gone."
Humans are so fragile at times...aren't they. Just needed to share my sadness a minute with others who understand. I was present when we took them both off the vent and allowed them to go.
