,,! ,,H\SE ,,( ,,HOPE ,,& ,,FE>
     ,LIFE 9 A ,BIG ,C;Y ,HOSPITAL

          ,,AUDREY ,,"Y1 ,,MD

      ,PUBLI%$ 0,SASQUAT* ,BOOKS1
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
     ,COPY"R ^C #BJJI 0,AUDREY ,"Y
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
     ,,ISBN #AC3 #IGH-A-EGJFA-EAA-E
      ,,ISBN #AJ3 #A-EGJFA-EAA-;,X
      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
       ,K>5 ,H>A & ,%>ON ,CILLEY
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;XVI & #A-IJ

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
                                     ;II
























       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C ,COPY"R SYMBOL
@& ,AMP]S&
,' 7#F1 #C7 ,T]M9,N SIGN



















                                     ;IV
























                                      ;V
  ,? BOOK IS = ^? :O D$ICATE _! LIVES 9
! ,H>BORVIEW MIS.N1 ESPECI,Y ,]9 ,RE$1
,LOIS ,SUZUKI1 & ,/EVE ,SMI?4

             ,AU?OR'S ,NOTE

  ,DOCTORS REF9E _! CRAFT 0TALK+ AB _!
CASES & /ORIES ) "O ANO!R4 ,I'VE TRI$ TO
WRITE ? BOOK 9 T TRADI;N4 ,6PROTECT PRI-
VACY1 "NS & ID5TIFY+ DETAILS ( ALL PA-
TI5TS 7 ALT]$ & 9 "S CASES BL5D$ 6POR-
TRAY -MON CL9ICAL SITU,NS4 ,:5"E POSSI#1
,I OBTA9$ P]MIS.N 6USE /ORIES F ! PA-
TI5TS OR SURVIV+ FAMILY MEMB]S4 ,MY [N
EXP]I;ES >E TRUE1 Z >E ^? ( MY COL-
L1GUES1 :O APPE> "H "U _! R1L "NS4








                                     ;VI
























                 ,3T5TS             ;VII
                                   ,PAGE
,PREFACE3 ,A ,PLACE =! ,POOR """"""" ;IX
,LIFE ,SUPPORT """""""""""""""""""""" #A
,A ,CASE (! ,JAWS """""""""""""""""" #AC
,ON ! ,W>DS """""""""""""""""""""""" #CG
,SEQUEL """""""""""""""""""""""""""" #FI


















                                   ;VIII
























      ,PREFACE3 ,A ,PLACE =! ,POOR   ;IX

  ,! ,K+ ,C.TY HOSPITAL OP5$ = BUSI;S 9
#AICA1 NE> ! 9T]SEC;N ( ,N9? ,AV5UE &
,JE6]SON ,/REET1 ON A HILL ABV D[NT[N
,S1TTLE4 ,! HOSPITAL WD S]VE ! C;Y'S
POOR & 9DIG5T 9 A /ATELY NEW 4#B.GE MIL-
LION FACIL;Y T F1TUR$ WIDE HALLWAYS1 HI<
CEIL+S1 & SWEEP+ VIEWS (! H>BOR4 ,!
BUILD+ 0 D"O 9 >T DECO /YLE1 AC 6! LATE/
FA%ION (! ,EA* ,COA/ T1*+ HOSPITALS1 & 0
A SIGNIFICANT UPGRADE F PRIOR QU>T]S4
,C;Y NEWSPAP]S H[L$ OV] ! 8EXORBITANT0
CO/ & POLITICAL C>TOONS DEPICT$ DOCTORS
P\R+ *AMPAGNE 96! M\?S ( PATI5TS4 ,X 0
AN E>LY R5DI;N ON ! IDEA T WE %D HELP !
POOR1 B P]H )\T SP5D+ TOO M* M"OY4
  ,! NEW C.TY HOSPITAL SU6]$ IMMLY F
CR[D$ 3DI;NS4 ,A S\?-FAC+ EXT5.N 0 A4$
"S YE>S LAT]1 & AF ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,WA%+-
TON M$ICAL S*OOL ASSUM$ MANAGE;T 9 !
#AIFJ;S1 ! -PLEX CAME 69CLUDE A NOR? W+1
A M5TAL H1L? BUILD+1 & AN UPGRAD$ RESE>*
T[] ) FACULTY (FICES4 ,A WE/ W+ ) MAT*+
YELL[ BRICK SID+ 0 BUILT 9 ! #AIIJ;S1 &!
HOSPITAL AT PRES5T HAS EI<T FLOORS    ;X
( W>DS1 SEV5 4T9CT ,,ICU,'S1 SIXTE5 OP]-
AT+ SUITES1 & M ?AN #AJJ1JJJ SQU>E FEET
( CL9IC SPACE4 ,:5 VIEW$ F ! ,S1TTLE H>-
BOR1 ! HOSPITAL--N[ "KN Z ,H>BORVIEW--IS
AN ELEGANT COLLEC;N ( >*ITECTUR,Y COHE-
SIVE /RUCTURES SITT+ HI< ATOP ! C;Y SKY-
L9E4 ,! PLACE IS S L>GE T :5 A S5IOR M$-
IC9E RESID5T IS AT A PATI5T'S B$SIDE 9 !
M$ICAL ,,ICU ON ! SECOND FLOOR (! NEW
W+1 & "! IS A ,CODE ,BLUE 9 ! BURN ,,ICU
ON ! TOP FLOOR (! OLD BUILD+1 ! RESID5T
HAS A "O-FIF?-MILE DA% ) #ACJ FEET ( EL-
EV,N GA9 AH1D ( H]4
  ,DESPITE ! VA/ SPACE1 CR[DS AT ,H>BOR-
VIEW / HIT CAPAC;Y ON A M OR LESS DAILY
BASIS1 ?ANKS 6! WILDLY EXP&+ POOR (!
GA9;LLY EMPLOY$ :O NO L;G] H H1L? 9SUR.E
OR N"E _H X1 & ^? "KN 9 ! H1L? S]VICES
TRADE Z ! 8"U9SUR$40 ,"S (! HOSPITAL'S
CLI5TELE >E VISI# 9 ! IMM NEI<BORHOOD1
EM]G+ F %ELT]S ) _! LIFE POSSES.NS1 &
QUEU+ UP 9 S\P KIT*5 L9ES4 ,O!RS LIVE 9
! ENORM\S PUBLIC A"P;T T[]S OR ,SEC;N #H
T[NH\SES FAVOR$ 0,SOMALI1 ,]ITR1N1 &
,HM;G REFUGEES1 _M ( :OM GR[ RADI-   ;XI
ANT FL[]S & VEGETA#S ON _! T9Y PLOTS (
L&4 ,"S RIDE 6! HOSPITAL F NE>BY NEI<-
BORHOODS ON ! NUMB]S #C1 #D1 & #FJ PUB-
LIC BUSES1 & "S >E BR"\ 0TAXI1 SQUAD C>1
JAIL VAN1 PRIVATE VEHICLE1 OR AMBUL.E4
,^? 9 ! GRTE/ HURRY -E 0! AIRLIFT HELI-
COPT] T BANKS L[ ACR ,9T]/ATE-#E & T\*ES
D[N ON ! HELIPAD ) BURN & TRAUMA VICTIMS
F ACR ! /ATE1 & "S"TS F Z F> AFIELD Z
,ALASKA1 ,MONTANA1 & NOR!RN ,IDAHO4
  ,2C (! HOSPITAL'S RAPIDLY GR[+ CLI5T
BASE1 PATI5TS :O REQUIRE HOSPITALIZ,N M/
"S"TS WAIT 9 ! HALLWAYS = Z L;G Z A "D
2F A LEGITIMATE B$ 2COMES AVAILA# UP-
/AIRS4 ,! ,G>D5 ,VIEW >EA1 S "ND 0! EM]-
G5CY DE"P;T /AFF1 0 =A "T "O TYPICAL
HOLD+ SPACE4 ,! VIEW 0 N ( G>D5S1 NATU-
R,Y1 B ( AMBUL.ES UNLOAD+ PATI5TS ON !
RAMP \TSIDE4 ,:5 ? TEMPOR>Y UNIT 0
PRESS$ 96OP],N1 A NURSE1 C>DIAC MONITOR+
EQUIP;T1 OXYG5 TANKS1 & T5 ?9LY PA4$
/RET*]S _H 6BE IMPORT$ F O!R LOC,NS 9 !
HOSPITAL1 & MAKE%IFT FOLD+ CURTA9S 7
PLAC$ 2T B$S =A SU7ES;N ( PRIVACY4 ,)!
EXCEP;N (A -PUT] T]M9AL ROLL$ 9     ;XII
ON A PORTA# DESK1 ,G>D5 ,VIEW LOOK$ L A
SC5E F A P]IOD MOVIE4
  ,& S ! TORRID PACE ( 3/RUC;N 3T9UES4
,! AG+ M5TAL H1L? BUILD+ 0 REC5TLY DE-
MOLI%$ & F.D,N P\R$ =A GLASSY N9E-/ORY
BUILD+ T W HOLD FIFTY M HOSPITAL B$S1
EI<T NEW OP]AT+ ROOMS1 & S"EAL FLOORS (
CL9ICS4 ,AN 5TIRE C;Y BLOCK CATTY-CORN]
F ! #AICA BUILD+ HAS BE5 LEVEL$ 6MAKE
ROOM = / M M$ICAL FACILITIES1 4PLAC+ A
DECADES-OLD A"P;T BUILD+1 A TWO-/ORY
WALK-UP1 A GROC]Y1 A ,*9ESE TAKE-\ JO9T1
A DRY CL1N+ BUSI;S1 & 3V5I5T P>K+ = FAM-
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/RUCTURE W F1TURE RETAIL %OPS AT /REET
LEVEL & ORIG9AL >T"W 9 ! LO2IES1 AL;G )
_M HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S ( SQU>E FEET ( A4I;N-
AL CL9IC & (FICE SPACE4
  ,IF X IS IMPOSSI# 6IMAG9E H[ PATI5TS W
ACTU,Y FILL ! PLANN$ SPACE1 3SID] T !
SAME 0 SD A FEW YE>S E>LI] AB ! EXP&$
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AB ! BR&-NEW OBS]V,N UNIT1 : 0 C>V$ F A
/ORAGE >EA4 ,^? B$S ALL FILL$ )9 H\RS (
OP5+4                              ;XIII

  ,PUBLIC HOSPITALS ORIG9AT$ F EI<TE5?-
C5TURY URBAN ALMSH\SES BUILT & RUN 0!
W1L?Y ELITE1 & WELL-3NECT$ PHYSICIANS 7
9VIT$ 96^! H\SES 6PROVIDE FREE C>E =!
DE/ITUTE SICK4 ,9 "T1 HOSPITALS DEVELOP$
NEW M$ICAL & SURGICAL !RAPIES T 2GAN TO
DRAW PAY+ PATI5TS1 & HOSPITAL TRU/EES
LE>N$ T C>E =! POOR CD 2 FUND$ )! M$ICAL
FEES ! BETT]-(F PATI5TS PD4 ,? -M]CIAL
TRANS=M,N 3T9U$ 9 ! TW5TIE? C5TURY1 Z A
NEW CLASS ( HOSPITALS 2GAN 6(F] PRIVATE
ROOMS ) P]SONAL /1M BA?S & SUNLAMPS1 9
HOPES ( ATTRACT+ W1L?Y CLI5TS1 & AB&ON$
! ORIG9AL *>ITA# FUNC;N ( HOSPITALS4 ,!
SICK 9DIG5T 7 LEFT =! PUBLIC HOSPITALS4
  ,PUBLIC HOSPITALS CAME 6RELY H1VILY ON
GOV]N;T FUND+ & VOLUNTE] PHYSICIANS 9
ORD] 6SURVIVE1 & _M 2CAME "KN = OV]CR[D+
& SQUALID 3DI;NS1 9EPT MANAGE;T1 & 9ADE-
QUATE M$ICAL C>E4 ,! PRIVATE SECTOR MA-
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&=A "T ! ,CALI=NIA SUPREME C\RT EV5 HELD
T PUBLIC HOSPITALS CD .ONLY A3EPT
NONPAY+ PATI5TS4 ,NE$.S 6SAY1 _M    ;XIV
PUBLIC HOSPITALS DID N SURVIVE ? 5VIRON-
;T4 ,AM;G HOSPITALS T CLOS$ T[>D ! LAT]
"P (! TW5TIE? C5TURY 0 ,PHILADELPHIA
,G5]AL1 ! F/ HOSPITAL 6OP5 9 ,AM]ICA1 9
#AGEA4 ,DESPITE ^! UNFAVORA# CIRCUM/.ES1
! ,K+ ,C.TY HOSPITAL 9 ,S1TTLE MANAG$ TO
SURVIVE4
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#AIIF Z A ?IRD-YE> M$ICAL /UD5T ON !
TRAUMA SURG]Y S]VICE1 ,I KNEW NEXT 6NO?+
AB ! 9T5SE PRESSURES FAC+ 3TEMPOR>Y PUB-
LIC HOSPITALS4 ,6ME !N1 ! HOSPITAL _H
ONLY ! ?UMP+ PULSE & PLOT.S;S (A MUSIC
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,I RETURN$ = CL9ICAL EXP]I;ES :5"E ! OP-
PORTUN;Y PRES5T$ XF4 ,ONLY LAT] WD ,I
LE>N T :ILE ,I 0 "UGO+ MY CL9ICAL TRA9+1
2T ! YE>S #AIIF & #BJJB1 "O-SIX? (! UR-
BAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES
%UT _! DOORS = GD1 & 9 SMALL] OR M RE-
MOTE LOCALES1 PUBLIC HOSPITAL CLOSURES
EXCE$$ "O 9 F\R4
  ,AF ,I F9I%$ MY RESID5CY 9 G5]AL 9T]-
NAL M$IC9E1 ,I OPT$ 6/AY ON AT
,H>BORVIEW Z AN ATT5D+--OR FULLY     ;XV
LIC5S$--DOCTOR4 ,I 0 ?IRTY YE>S OLD1 &
AT T "T1 S+LE4 ,I _H _M R1SONS = /AY+
ON1 "O ( : 0 T ! HOSPITAL SEEM$ L A
PLACE ": P :O >RIV$ ILL & \ ( OP;NS CD
G5U9ELY GET "S HELP4 ,EQU,Y IMPORTANT 0
T S _M (! PHYSICIANS 7 ! SORT ( P ,I
HOP$ 62COME4 ,AM;G ^! 7 ,MI*AEL ,COPASS
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9 8 HE>T SEEM$ 6MO/ 5JOY HELP+ ! "W+
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?R1T5$ 6KILL _! PREVI\S DOCTORS4
  ,MY EXPECT,N 0 T ,I WD "W "! =A YE> OR
TWO1 BURN \1 & MOVE ON ) MY LIFE4 ,I
/AY$ SIX YE>S 2C ,I FELL 9 LOVE )A /ORY4
,X IS ! /ORY (A T\< & UNIQUE GR\P ( HU-
MAN 2+S :O >E -MITT$ 6A VI.N ( EQUAL;Y =
! MO/ VULN]A# P 9 \R SOCIETY1 A GR\P :O
2LIEVES T "EY"O %D 2 TR1T$ EQU,Y & WELL1
REG>D.S ( :O !Y >E4 ,& X IS ! /ORY (A
UNIQUE PLACE T HAS "SH[ OP]AT$ 9 !
BLACK1 ALL ! :ILE C>+ =A *>;Y CASELOAD T
HAS EXPLOD$ F 4#DC MILLION 9 #BJJB1 MY
F/ YE> ( ATT5D+1 64#AAB MILLION 9   ;XVI
#BJJF4
  ,H>BORVIEW'S /ORY IS 9 _M WAYS A TR\-
BL+ TALE4 ,X IS AB PATI5TS :O /RU7LE )
*RONIC ILL;S "U 3DI;NS T C 2 D[N"R HOR-
RIFIC1 PATI5TS :O _C ALW A3ESS M$ICAL
C>E Z QKLY OR EASILY Z A PRUD5T LAYP]SON
MI<T DEEM R1SONA#4 ,X IS A /ORY AB G5-
TRIFIC,N 9 H1L? S]VICES1 AB ! -+ APP1L
6! H1L? C>E 3SUM]1 &! DAWN ( R,N+1 ESPE-
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/RATEGY 9 REC5T "TS HAS BE5 6M9IMIZE
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HAS 2COME F9ANCI,Y DAMAG+4 ,B ! P ( ,H>-
BORVIEW >E / TRY+1 & 9 ^! EF=TS1 ,I BE-
LIEVE1 IS ! /ORY (A PLACE T HAS ! P[] TO
TRANS=M H[ WE ?9K AB -M]CE & *>;Y1 A /O-
RY T HAS ! POT5TIAL 6H1L \R \TDAT$ ID1S
AB H1L? & POV]TY4
  ,? IS T /ORY4



    ,,! ,,H\SE ,,( ,,HOPE ,,& ,,FE>   #A

             ,LIFE ,SUPPORT

  ,:AT P ALW REMEMB]$ AB A MAN "ND ,DAVE
,FR5* 0 T HE LIV$ 9 A C> ) F\R FLAT
TIRES4 ,DAVE 0 =TY-N9E YE>S OLD & _H
COLLAPS$ )\T W>N+ AF )DRAW+ CA% F AN AU-
TOMAT$ TELL] MA*9E4 ,8 -PANION CAU<T HM
Z HE FELL & TRI$ 6R\SE HM1 B ,DAVE 0 UN-
RESPONSIVE :5 ! P>AM$ICS >RIV$ A FEW M9-
UTES LAT]1 8 H&S TURN$ A DUSKY BLUE COL-
OR4 ,! M$ICS KNELT SWIFTLY1 SLID A BR1?+
TUBE 9 8 W9DPIPE1 & LIFT$ HM ONTO ! AM-
BUL.E1 : :ISK$ HM AWAY ) MOAN+ SIR5S4
  ,0! "T ,DAVE'S GURNEY ROLL$ "? ! SW++
DOORS ( ,H>BORVIEW'S ,9T5SIVE ,C>E ,UNIT
7,,ICU71 ! BAG V5TILATOR HONK+ & SI<+1
,DAVE 0 9 ! ?ROES ( SEV]E SEPTIC %OCK4
,HE SU6]$ F LUNG FAILURE1 HE>T FAILURE1
LIV] FAILURE1 KIDNEY FAILURE1 & HE 0 -A-
TOSE4 ,HE _H 9TE/9AL BLE$+ &A SY/EMIC
9FEC;N4 ,8 HE>T TICK$ AL;G AT #AEJ B1TS
P] M9UTE1 & 8 BLOOD PRESSURE PLUNG$ RE-
P1T$LY4
  ,I 0 ! S5IOR M$IC9E RESID5T 9 !     #B
,,ICU ! NI<T T ,DAVE 0 ADMITT$ 6! HOS-
PITAL4 ,6TR1T ! L[ BLOOD PRESSURE1 WE
GAVE A MULTIPLE-LIT] PU% ( 9TRAV5\S FLU-
ID1 & ? SOON FLOOD$ 8 LUNGS1 IMPAIR+ OX-
YG5 LEVELS4 ,I DONN$ G[N & GLOVES &
?R1D$ A CA!T] D[N 96HIS HE>T1 6DELIV]
VASOPRESSOR M$IC,N1 : RAISES BLOOD PRES-
SURE4 ,! F/ DRUG "W$ = AB ?IRTY M9UTES4
,0! "T ,I /EPP$ AWAY F ! B$SIDE 6*ECK 9
)! ATT5D+ PHYSICIAN1 ,DAVE 0 RCVG ?REE
VASOPRESSORS AT MAXIMUM DOSES4 ,! SITU,N
0 DIRE4
  ,AT TWO O'C 9 ! MORN+1 ,I PHON$
,DAVE'S P>5TS4 ,AN EM]G5CY SOCIAL "W] _H
"SH[ TRACK$ D[N _! NUMB]4 ,AF S"EAL R+S1
A WOMAN :O ID5TIFI$ H]F Z ,DONNA ,FR5*
PICK$ UP4 ,%E 0 M>RI$ 6,DAVE'S "F1 %E
SD4 ,I EXPLA9$ T ,DAVE 0 UNCONSCI\S & 9
9T5SIVE C>E4 ,I DESCRIB$ ! 9TRAV5\S M$I-
C,NS T 7 KEEP+ HM ALIVE4 ,_H %E SE5 HM
REC5TLY8
  8,WE DON'T SEE HM M*4 ,ON ,?ANKSGIV+
HE CALL$ 6SAY HE DIDN'T FEEL WELL &
CDN'T MAKE X4 ,T 0 ! LA/ WE HE>D4 ,X 0
F\R OR FIVE "DS AGO4 ,HE _H ! /OMA*   #C
FLU40 ,H] VOICE 0 ?9 & FRAGILE4
  8,?ANK Y1 T'S HELP;L10 ,I SD4 ,? SUG-
GE/$ T ,DAVE'S ILL;S _H -E ON "S:AT
GRADU,Y4 8,D Y "K :O HE CD H BE5 )80
  8,WE DON'T "K 8 FRS10 %E SD4 8,%D WE
-E IN8 ,2C WE'RE A F\R-H\R DRIVE4 ,WE CD
S5D 8 BRO!R N[4 ,B WE C L1VE "H F/ ?+ 9
! MORN+40 ,MORN+ WD 2 F9E1 ,I SD1 APOLO-
GIZ+ =! MI4LE-(-!-NI<T 9T]RUP;N4 ,I WD
CALL BACK IF ?+S WORS5$4 ,B :O 0 ,I KID-
D+8 ,?+S CDN'T GET M* WORSE = ,DAVE4 ,HE
0 FIVE ORGAN SY/EMS D[N & %[$ NO SIGN (
3SCI\S;S4 ,HE _H COCA9E & H]O9 9 8 UR9E1
& "! 0 V LL LEFT 6D %D 8 BLOOD PRESSURE
DROP AG & 8 HE>T GIVE \4
  ,! JOB (! S5IOR ,,ICU RESID5T 0 6KEEP
PATI5TS ALIVE UNTIL M EXP]I;ED M9DS >-
RIV$ 9 ! MORN+ & CD HELP SORT ?+S "?4 ,I
_H BE5 9 ! ,H>BORVIEW ,,ICU = NE>LY A
MON?1 &! LE>N+ CURVE _H BE5 /EEP4 ,ON MY
CALL NI<TS1 ,I _H HELP$ 6RESUSCITATE "S
(! SICKE/ PATI5TS 9 ! C;Y1 & ,I FELT
3FID5T T ,I CD KEEP ,DAVE GO+ UNTIL !
SUN CAME UP4 ,& S1 2C "! 0 NO 9DIC,N T
HE WD WANT O!RWISE1 WE DID "EY?+      #D
HUMANLY POSSI# 6KEEP HM GO+4

  ,0MID-MORN+1 ,DAVE'S 3DI;N _H /ABILIZ$
"S:AT1 &=! NEXT =TY-EI<T H\RS1 HE NEI
GOT WORSE NOR RE,Y IMPROV$4 ,ON ! EV5+ (
8 SECOND HOSPITAL "D1 8 LIV] FUNC;N 2GAN
6NORMALIZE4 ,8 9TE/9AL BLE$+ /OPP$1 & 8
>MS & LEGS />T$ 6MOVE4 ,N"O ( U "U/OOD
:Y HE'D COLLAPS$1 OR :AT _H 9CIT$ !
MULTIPLE-ORGAN-SY/EM FAILURE4 ,! BE/
GUESS 0 T HE _H US$ "S RE,Y BAD DRUGS4
  ,ON HOSPITAL "D ?REE1 WE COLLECT$ SPI-
NAL FLUID 6*ECK =A PROTE9 T CD PREDICT
:E!R HE WD "E WAKE UP AG4 ,! RESULTS IN-
DICAT$ T HE V LIKELY WD1 S WE PU%$ ONW>D
) A7RESSIVE TR1T;T4 ,SOON ,DAVE CAME (F
! VASOPRESSOR M$IC,N4 ,WE 2GAN FE$+ HM
"? A /OMA* TUBE4 ,8 KIDNEYS %[$ SIGNS (
LIFE4 ,/1 ?\<1 HE REMA9$ -ATOSE4 ,P]H 8
BRA9 _H BE5 DEPRIV$ ( OXYG5 AF HE COL-
LAPS$1 WE OP9$1 B BRA9 SCANS %[$ NO AP-
P>5T DAMAGE4
  ,DAVE'S "F1 ,SAM ,FR5*1 VISIT$ E "D
>.D LUN*"T4 ,SAM 0 A SELF-MADE MAN :O _H
DEVELOP$ A WILDLY SU3ESS;L BUSI;S     #E
SELL+ SECOND-PICK FRUIT 6-PANIES L ,S>A
,LEE1 & HE & 8 WIFE _H RETIR$ 6A RAN* ON
! ,OLYMPIC ,P59SULA4 ,SAM 0 ?ICK-BON$ &
ALW CAME DRESS$ 9 A SPORT COAT & KHAKI
SLACKS4 ,HE WD PULL A *AIR 6! B$ & TALK
6,DAVE :5"E HE ?"\ ( "S?+ 6SAY1 2C !
NURSES SD A FAMILI> VOICE CD HA/5
,DAVE'S RECOV]Y4
  ,SAM DID N ACTU,Y 2LIEVE T ,DAVE CD
HE> HM TALK+4 ,HE 0 IMPRESS$ 0HIS SON'S
DEEP -A1 & 0! NUMB] ( SY/EMS T _H MAL-
FUNC;N$4 ,AF A FEW "DS )\T M* IMPROVE;T1
HE 2GAN 6TALK ) 8 WIFE1 ,DONNA1 AB TURN+
(F ! MA*9ES4 ,8 RESOLVE GREW1 & HE TOLD
8 SON & DAU<T]1 8,I TAKE ALL RESPONSI-
BIL;Y = ^! DECI.NS40 ,HE DIDN'T WANT
,DAVE'S SIBL+S 6%\LD] ANY (! T]RI# BURD5
( 5D+ _! BRO!R'S LIFE4
  ,! HIT* 0 T ,SAM 0 N LEG,Y ,DAVE'S
NEXT ( K94 ,ADULT *N 7 3SID]$ NEXT ( K9
9 ,WA%+TON ,/ATE1 : M1NT T ,DAVE'S
TW5TY-"O-YE>-OLD SON1 ,TYL]1 0 ACTU,Y 8
LEGAL DECI.N-MAK]4 ,DAVE & ,TYL] _H MET
J ?REE "TS4 ,SAM TOLD U T ,TYL] CD N
H&LE A PROF.D DECI.N L )DRAW+ 8       #F
"F'S LIFE SUPPORT1 S9CE HE H>DLY KNEW
HM1 & ANYWAY1 HE 0 A ,M>9E & (F FI<T+ 9
,AF<ANI/AN4 ,ON ! FIF? HOSPITAL "D1 ,SAM
PULL$ ME ASIDE AF R.DS & SD1 8,:AT Y'VE
D"O = ,DAVE IS TRULY 9CR$I#40
  ,HE 2GAN %AK+ 8 H1D4 ,HE TOLD ME T
HE'D S5T ,DAVE 6DRUG REHAB DOZ5S ( "TS
OV] ! YE>S1 & ,DAVE'S MO/ REC5T /AY 0
NE>LY N9E MON?S4 ,SAM FR[N$ & SD1 8,F\R
"DS & HE 0 BACK ON ! COCA9E40 ,I FR[N$1
?9K+ T ,SAM KNEW AB ! COCA9E ONLY 2C ,I
_H 4CLOS$ X4 ,SAM SD T DRUG & ALCOHOL
A4IC;N 0 9 ,DAVE'S G5ES4
  8,HE 0 BORN T WAY4 ,Y GET HM \ (! HOS-
PITAL & ,I PROMISE ? W ALL HAPP5 AG4 ,X
WON'T TAKE HM L;G4 ,DAVE IS ONLY ALIVE
TD 2C ( GD 9T5;NS4 ,I'VE TALK$ ) MY
KIDS1 ,DAVE'S BRO!R & SI/]1 & !Y ?9K !
"R ?+ 6D IS 6KEEP HM -=TA# B /OP LIFE
SUPPORT40
  ,AF A PAUSE ,I SD1 8,LET ME TALK )!
T1M40 ,)DRAW+ LIFE SUPPORT 2C A P]SON
US$ DRUGS & LIV$ ON ! /REET SEEM$ "QA#
6ME2 ,I DIDN'T ?9K T DOCTORS OR FAMILY
MEMB]S %D DECIDE :O 0 WOR?Y ( LIV+4   #G
,! DECI.N ( LIV+ OR DY+ 2L;G$ 6! PATI5T1
,I 2LIEV$4 ,B ? "PICUL> PATI5T WASN'T 9
ANY /ATE 6MAKE A DECI.N4
  ,! FOLL[+ MORN+1 ,DAVE'S SON1 ,TYL]1
/EPP$ (F A MILIT>Y AIRPLANE AT ,=T ,LEW-
IS1 S\? ( ,S1TTLE1 & CAME /RAI<T 6! HOS-
PITAL4 ,HE 0 A PALE1 LANKY "Y MAN ) LI<T
BR[N HAIR1 & HE WORE A CAM\FLAGE UNI=M )
8 LA/ "N1 .,SMI?1 EMBROID]$ OV] ! LEFT
BR1/ POCKET4 ,HE LOOK$ "Y & V F"R5$1 &
:5 ,I CAME 9 ! ROOM1 HE SEEM$ RELIEV$ 6H
A 4TRAC;N F 8 "F1 ^: FACE & H&S 7 S
BLOAT$ T ! SK9 FELT H>D 6! T\*4
  8,I GOT ON ! F/ PLANE10 ,TYL] SD4 ,8
TRIP _H TAK5 F\RTE5 H\RS4 ,HE FELT LUCKY
T 8 UNIT _HN'T %IPP$ YET2 !Y 7 S*$UL$ TO
DEPLOY T MON?4 ,HE TOLD ME T HE HOP$ TO
SEE 8 "F "? ! ILL;S1 & T 8 -M&+ (FIC] _H
GIV5 HM P]MIS.N 6BE AWAY = Z L;G Z NEC4
  ,TYL] LOOK$ UP HOPE;LLY & SD1 8,I'D L
6GET 6"K MY DAD40
  ,WE 3V5$ 9 ! AFN4 ,SAM & ,DONNA >RIV$
E>LY & MADE SMALL TALK )! SOCIAL "W]4
,TYL] HU4L$ AT ! F> 5D (! TA#4 ,:5 !
ATT5D+ PHYSICIAN & ,I 5T]$1 ,SAM      #H
JUMP$ 6HIS FEET & %OOK \R H&S VIGOR\SLY2
8 WIFE SMIL$ W>MLY & NO4$4 ,%E WORE A
SILK BL\SE & L[-HANG+ PE>LS4
  ,SAM 2GAN ! MEET+ 0SAY+1 8,TYL] _C
MAKE ? DECI.N4 ,HE DOES N "K 8 "F 9 ANY
M1N+;L WAY40
  ,TYL] 0 LOOK+ AT ! TA#4 ,I TURN$ 6HM4
8,C Y TELL ME H[ Y "U/& YR DAD'S SITUA-
;N80
  8,MY "F IS V SICK & CD DIE10 ,TYL] SD4
8,B HE HAS A *.E ( MAK+ X40
  8,DID HE TELL Y :AT HE WD WANT IF HE 0
ON LIFE SUPPORT80
  ,SAM SD1 8,Y DIDN'T "K YR "F40
  8,I 0 GETT+ 6"K HM10 ,TYL] SD4
  ,SAM LOOK$ AT ME & SD1 8,WE'VE TALK$
AB ?4 ,DAVE'S C>E IS CO/+ ,S1TTLE ?\S&S
( DOLL>S4 ,:Y %D WE ALL[ ?8 ,HE HASN'T
GIV5 A ?+ 6! -MUN;Y 9 8 =TY-N9E YE>S4
,HE'S N"E HELD A REGUL> JOB4 ,IF HE SUR-
VIVES1 HE'LL G "R BACK 6DR9K+ & TAK+
DRUGS4 ,HE'S A DRA9 ON SOCIETY40 ,DONNA
SMIL$ BL&LY & NO4$ AG4
  8,PL1SE1 /OP ! MAD;S10 ,SAM SD4
  ,! ATT5D+ & ,I LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4    #I
,I'D N"E _H A 3V]S,N L ? 2F1 B ,I'D AL
N"E BE5 9 A PLACE ": POV]TY & W1L? EXI/$
S 9T5SELY TGR1 9 S* CLOSE QU>T]S4 ,9 MY
/1DIE/ VOICE ,I SD1 8,"S ( \R PATI5TS >E
A4ICT$ 6DRUGS & ALCOHOL4 ,WE PROVIDE M$-
ICAL C>E 2C WE 2LIEVE !Y DES]VE A *.E40
  ,SAM %OOK 8 H1D4
  ,I 3T9U$1 8,WE WD RECOMM5D )DRAW+ C>E
IF ,DAVE _H TOLD "S"O SPECIFIC,Y T HE
N"E WANT$ LIFE SUPPORT1 OR IF "! 0 OB-
JECTIVE EVID;E T HE WASN'T GO+ 6WAKE UP4
,B 8 SITU,N DOESN'T RE,Y MEET EI ( ^?
3DI;NS4 ,WE ?9K HE CD -E "?40
  ,I TURN$ 6,TYL] AG & ASK$1 8,DID YR "F
"E TELL Y HE DIDN'T WANT LIFE SUPPORT80
  ,TYL] TURN$ EV5 M PALE & SD1 8,NO40
  8,D Y ?9K HE'D WANT ! TR1T;T HE'S GET-
T+80
  8,I GUESS ,I'D WANT 6GIVE HM A *.E40
  ,SAM ?REW UP 8 H&S 9 EXASP],N4 8,Y'VE
HE>D MY OP9ION4 ,! C>E IS 9CR$I#1 B MIS-
GUID$40

  ,ON ! EI<? "D ( HOSPITALIZ,N1 ! ATT5D+
& ,I REVISIT$ ,DAVE'S SITU,N4 ,X 0   #AJ
A "D 2F ,I WD 8ROTATE0 (F S]VICE & 2G9 A
NEW ASSIGN;T AT A HOSPITAL ACR T[N4 ,"PS
( ,DAVE SEEM$ 6BE ON ! M5D4 ,8 KIDNEY
FUNC;N 0 BACK 6NORMAL4 ,8 LUNGS REQUIR$
MODE/ OXYG5 SUPPORT1 & HE 0 MOV+ >.D Q A
BIT1 : M1NT T 8 BRA9 0 "W+4 ,B HE REMA9$
UNRESPONSIVE1 & ,I M5;N$ MY D\BTS AB !
SP9AL FLUID RESULTS4 ,WD ,DAVE RE,Y WAKE
UP8 ,0 HE 5T]+ A P]MAN5T VEGETATIVE
/ATE8 ,! ATT5D+ DIDN'T 2LIEVE S4 ,! SPI-
NAL FLUID TE/ 0 A V GD "O1 HE REM9D$ ME4
,"S"TS X J TOOK A :ILE = PATI5TS 6-E TO4
  ,= _M MON?S ,I HE>D NO?+ AB :AT HAPP5$
6,DAVE1 PREO3UPI$ Z ,I _H 2COME )A NEW
S]VICE AT A DI6]5T HOSPITAL4 ,I ?"\ ONCE
OR TWICE AB CALL+ ! RESID5T :O'D TAK5
OV] 8 C>E B N"E 3NECT$ ) H]4 ,/1 ,I ?"\
AB ,DAVE F "T 6"T1 & "O AFN :ILE ,I 0
"W+ AT ! UNIV]S;Y HOSPITAL1 ,I FLA7$ D[N
,D5ISE ,DUDZ9SKI1 A CL9ICAL E?ICI/ & AS-
SOCIATE PROFESSOR ( M$ICAL E?ICS AT !
,UNIV]S;Y ( ,WA%+TON1 6TELL H] AB !
CASE4
  ,%E SD1 8,DAVE'S FAMILY SEEM$ 6BASE _!
DECI.N ON :AT !Y SAW Z ,DAVE'S SO-   #AA
CIAL WOR?1 & N ON :AT WD B5EFIT HM !
MO/4 ,T'S :Y YR RESPONSE 0 6DRAW BACK &
TRY 6PROTECT HM4 ,Y 7 TRY+ 6D :AT SEEM$
MO/ -PAS.NATE =! PATI5T40
  ,%E /UDI$ MY REAC;N & A4$1 8,Y DON'T
ALW H ALL ! 9=M,N Y NE$4 ,Y J TRY 6MAKE
! BE/1 MO/ G5U9E DECI.N Y C40

















                                     #AB
























           ,A ,CASE (! ,JAWS         #AC

  ,! FOLL[+ -M&;TS 7 6BE OBS]V$ AT ALL
"TS 9 ! ,H>BORVIEW ,EM]G5CY ,DE"P;T
7,,ED73

#A4 ,"W H>D4
#B4 ,2 POLITE4
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VIEW PHYSICIAN "ND ,MI*AEL ,COPASS1 A
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6H M* BITE 6HM4 ,COPASS /OOD "S:AT %Y (
FIVE FEET N9E & 0 AV]SE 6EYE 3TACT4 ,HE
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SP>SE HAIR 9 A SILV]Y -B-OV]1 & E "D HE
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T ,COPASS TOOK ! -M&;TS S]I\SLY2 ANY
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RELAX$ 8 GRIP ON PATI5T C>E 9 ! ,,ED 6A
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  ,I 0 S*$UL$ 6RETURN 6,H>BORVIEW DUR+
MY LA/ MON? ( RESID5CY1 =A ROT,N 9 ,CO-
PASS'S ,,ED4 ,! ,,ED ORI5T,N = ME & ?REE
O!R RESID5TS 2GAN PRECISELY AT ! S*$UL$
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9 ADV.E =! S]VICE Y W P]=M =! C.TY40 ,HE
0 9 AN EXPANSIVE MOOD & 2GAN 0TALK+ AB
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6! DOOR1 & REL1S$ ! BOLT1 UNL1%+ AN ICY
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  8,WE H A SIXTY-TWO-YE>-OLD MALE PATI5T
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ROCK1 HE GETS COLD4 ,:5 ,MR4 ,LI<TFOOT
-ES IN1 Y %D SAY1 ,8,H[ MAY ,I HELP Y1
SIR8 ,C ,I GET Y A W>M BLANKET8 ,C ,I
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  8,! ESS;E (! EM]G5CY ROOM C 2 SUMM$ UP
L ?3 ,H[ QKLY C WE "W1 H[ WELL C WE D80

  ,6"U/& ,COPASS1 Y _H 6"K T HE 0 ! SON
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  8,?ANK Y10 ,I SD1 & PRACTIC,Y FLOAT$ \
(! RADIO ROOM4





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              ,ON ! ,W>DS            #CG

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W>D1 : 0 ! ?IRD & F\R? FLOORS (! OLD
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"QS1 : ! COD]S 4PAT*$ ) POLITE B FIRM
VOICES4
  ,AFW ,I H1D$ BACK 6,F\R1 SWEPT ! CLUT-
T] ( MY NEW (FICE 96?ICK G>BAGE BAGS1 &
PHON$ H\SEKEEP+ =A PICKUP4 ,I LEFT !
RUNN+ %OES 9 ! ,,ED1 ": A HOME.S PATI5T
MI<T PICK !M UP1 & TOOK (F = LUN*4 ,9 !
AFN1 ! ADM9I/RATOR PAG$ )! NEWS T    #DJ
! SIGNATURES 7 ALL IN4 ,I WD />T 9 !
MORN+4
  ,MY NEW JOB TITLE ) ATT5D+ PHYSICIAN 9
G5]AL 9T]NAL M$IC9E4 ,I WD 2 "W+ ON !
M$IC9E SIDE (! HOSPITAL1 ": ! /ORIES 7
AB ! GRADUAL ERO.N ( LIV+4 ,I WD 9T]ACT
V LL1 AT L1/ 9 ! 2G9N+1 ) ,H>BORVIEW'S
CAM]A-R1DY SURG]Y SIDE1 ": /ORIES (T5
2GAN )A GUNFI<T1 A H\SE FIRE1 OR A BUCK+
HORSE4 ,ON A TYPICAL MORN+ N L;G AF ,I'D
2GUN MY NEW JOB1 ANO!R BR&-NEW ATT5D+
"ND ,ALICE ,BR[N/E9 0 "W+ 9 ! ,,ED1 & %E
0 ANXI\S = ME 6ADMIT ?REE PATI5TS 6!
HOSPITAL = FUR!R C>E4 ,I WALK$ D[N/AIRS4
,ALICE 0 9 ! ,FI%B[L1 SCRI2L+ A NOTE4
,%E 0 ?IRTY-"S?+ & _H FLAX5 HAIR1 BLUE
EYES1 &A H1L?Y TAN1 HAV+ J RETURN$ F
RID+ H] BICYCLE #C1AEG MILES F ,S1TTLE
6H] "M'S HOME 9 ,WA%+TON1 ,D4,C41 6CELE-
BRATE ! -PLE;N ( M$ICAL TRA9+4 ,H] TRIP
/ATS 9CLUD$ ?IRTE5 /ATES1 SIX FLAT
TIRES1 "O BROK5 SPOKE FIX$ ) DUCT TAPE1
TW5TY-SEV5 ORD]S ( BACON1 & EI<T TUBES (
SUNSCRE54
  ,ALICE %U6L$ ! NOTES 9 FRONT (     #DA
H] & 2GAN 6TELL ME ! 8BULLET0 ON EA* (!
?REE NEW PATI5TS4 ,F/ 0 ,MIRABELLE
,FLEM+1 A ?IRTY-YE>-OLD WOMAN ) BAD LUNG
41SE1 :O 0 SWOLL5 ALL OV] & CDN'T BR1!4
,SECOND 0 ,M>V9 ,HOOLEY1 A HOME.S DR9K]
) SW1TS & FEV]S1 :O _HN'T KEPT ANY?+ D[N
9 A C\PLE ( "DS4 8,NICE GUY10 ,ALICE SD4
,& ?IRD 0 ,K]MIT ,JACKSON1 A =TY-TWO-
YE>-OLD 8FR ( ,FLEET0 :O W5T 0! NICK"N
,AG5T ;,K4
  8,! NURS+ HOME SAYS HE MISS$ 8 LA/ TWO
RUNS4 ,TOLD !M HE 0 TOO SICK 6G4 ,S ,PO-
TASSIUM IS #F.I & ,R5AL IS 9 "! ) HM
N[40 ,? 0 %ORTH& 69DICATE T ! KIDNEY
DOCTORS 7 PREP>+ = URG5T DIALYSIS4
  ,ALICE SMIL$ & A4$1 8,OH1 & J AN
,,FYI4 ,HE ?R1T5$ 6KILL BO? ME &! NURS-
ES4 ,GD LUCK ) T40
  8,EXCELL5T10 ,I SD4 8,HE'S =TY-TWO
YE>S OLD & LIVES 9 A NURS+ HOME80
  8,"R N[ HE DOES4 ,HE B\NCES >.D10 %E
SD4

  ,I F.D ,K]MIT F/4 ,HE 0 LY+ 9 8 GURNEY
)! HOOD ( 8 SW1T%IRT HANG+ OV] 8     #DB
EYES & BLANKETS PULL$ UP 6HIS M\?4 ,ONLY
8 NO/RILS 7 VISI#4 ,"U ! COV]S 8 H1D
NO4$ RHY?MIC,Y4 ,! DIALYSIS NURSE 0
*ECK+ ! L;G CORDS T C>RI$ BLOOD 2T A
CA!T] IMPLANT$ 9 ,K]MIT'S *E/ &! DIALY-
SIS MA*9E1 A TALL BOX T RESEM#D A ROBOT
ON :EELS4
  8,MR4 ,JACKSON10 ,I SD4 ,K]MIT DID N
SEEM 6HE> ME4 8,MR4 ,JACKSON1 C Y TALK
6ME80 ,I L1N$ 9 & T\*$ 8 %\LD]4
  8,HEY60 HE SCR1M$4 8,DON'T T\* ME60 ,!
DIALYSIS NURSE GAVE ME A "K+ LOOK4
  ,I LIFT$ ! SW1T%IRT (F ,K]MIT'S =EH1D
& 8 EYES SNAPP$ OP54 ,HE WORE AN ENORM\S
PAIR ( H1DPH"OS4
  8,DON'T T\* ME OR ,I W KILL Y60
  ,I 9TRODUC$ MYF Z ! HOSPITAL DOCTOR1 &
,K]MIT />$4 8,NAW4 ,FLEET IS MY DOCTOR10
HE SD4
  8,( C\RSE1 ,I'LL 2 3SULT+ ) ,DR4
,FLEET40
  8,FLEET ALR CAME BY40
  8,LI/51 ,FLEET DOES YR KIDNEY /UFF1 &
,I D "EY?+ ELSE4 ,S ,I J NE$ "S 9=M,N F
Y4 ,C Y TELL ME :Y Y MISS$ DIALY-    #DC
SIS80
  ,K]MIT TURN$ UP 8 MUSIC S T ,I CD HE>
! B1T P.D+ "? ! H1DPH"OS4
  8,ALL "R10 ,I SD4 8,I H 6LI/5 6YR
HE>T40 ,I UNRAVEL$ MY /E?OSCOPE & AIM$ =
8 *E/1 B HE BATT$ ME AWAY4 ,MY H&S %AK+1
,I CIRCUMNAVIGAT$ ! B$1 HOP+ 6GET A
GLIMPSE (! DIALYSIS CA!T]4 ,:5 ,I R1*$ =
! COV]S1 HE YANK$ !M UP4
  ,I /OOD =A MO;T1 WAT*+ HM MOVE DEFI-
ANTLY 6HIS MUSIC4
  8,NICE 6MEET Y10 ,I SD1 D\BT+ HE HE>D
ME4 ,I WASN'T SURE H[ ANYBODY CD FIGURE
\ :AT 0 ! MATT] ) HM1 S ,I TURN$ AWAY1
F.D 8 *>T1 & ORD]$ BLOOD & UR9E CUL-
TURES1 A *E/ ;,X-RAY1 & AN E*OC>DIOGRAM1
HOP+ T TE/S MI<T PROVIDE "S ANSW]S4
  ,I H1D$ = ,MIRABELLE ,FLEM+'S ROOM1
D[N ! HALL F ,K]MIT4 ,%E WASN'T "!1 S ,I
W5T SE>*+ = ,M>V ,HOOLEY1 ^: PRES;E
_HN'T REGI/]$ )! HOSPITAL -PUT]S YET4
,EV5TU,Y ,I F.D HM 9 ! BACK (! ,,ED1 ":
HE 0 SNOR+ L\DLY ON A GURNEY4 ,I %OOK 8
%\LD] 6WAKE HM UP4 ,HE 0 A SO45 LUMP4
  8,SIR1 Y'RE AT ! HOSPITAL40        #DD
  8,"L60
  8,C Y PL1SE WAKE UP80
  8,SORRY40 ,8 EYES OP5$4
  8,H[ D Y FEEL80
  8,BETT]60 HE SD EAG]LY4 ,8 G[N 0 DAMP
&! CR1SES ( 8 PALMS 7 D>K ) GRIME4
  8,:5 0 YR LA/ DR9K80
  8,YE/]"D40 ,I NOT$ T 8 H&S 7 TREMBL+4
  8,H[ M* D Y DR9K80
  8,A FIF? A "D40
  8,DID Y EAT ANY?+ TD80
  8,I BE5 ?R[+ UP40
  8,LOOK1 Y H HE>T FAILURE4 ,WE'LL PUT Y
9 ! HOSPITAL & MAKE SURE Y DIDN'T H A
HE>T ATTACK40
  8,Y ?9K ,I _H A HE>T ATTACK80 ,M>V 0
AWAKE N[ & PU%+ HMF UP 6A SITT+ POSI;N4
8,I DON'T ?9K ,I _H A HE>T ATTACK40
  8,WE'LL F9D \4 ,WE'LL KEEP Y 9 ! HOS-
PITAL TWO OR ?REE "DS & TRY 6GET Y FEEL+
BETT]40
  8,?ANK Y1 MA'AM10 HE SD1 & DROPP$ BACK
6SLEEP IMMLY4 ,! NURS+ NOTES 9 8 FOLD]
SD HE _H PASS$ \ 9 A DOORWAY D[NT[N1 T
HE _H BE5 PICK$ UP DUR+ A R\T9E      #DE
SWEEP (! /REETS4 ,! BLOOD TE/ RESULTS
%[$ NO EVID;E YET ( HE>T ATTACK2 ! BLOOD
ALCOHOL LEVEL 0 #BIE MILLIGRAMS P] DECI-
LIT]1 OR #.BIE1 ALM F\R "TS ! LEGAL LIM-
IT = DRIV]S4 ,HE 0 GO+ 6)DRAW F ! HI<
ALCOHOL LEVEL1 S ,I WROTE ORD]S = 9TRA-
V5\S B5ZODIAZEP9ES 6PREV5T SEIZURE1 &=
VITAM9S4 ,B :AT HE RE,Y NE$$1 ,I DECID$1
0 A HI<-CALORIE DIET4 ,HE 0 J S SK9NY4

  ,MIRABELLE 0 / \ ( H] ROOM :5 ,I RE-
TURN$ 6,?REE1 &A NURSE PASS+ 0TOLD ME %E
0 D[N/AIRS HAV+ A SMOKE4
  8,I ?"\ %E 0 HAV+ TR\# BR1?+40
  ,! NURSE SMIL$4 8,I SUPPOSE %E FEELS
BETT]40
  8,"R40 ,MY PAG] RANG4 ,X 0 ,K]MIT'S
NURSE CALL+ 6TELL ME T HE _H REFUS$ !
;,X-RAY & UR9ALYSIS1 & %E DIDN'T ?9K
HE'D AGREE 6! E*OC>DIOGRAM4 ,I CALL$ H]
BACK A MO;T LAT] :5 ,I SAW T 8 BLOOD
CULTURES 7 GR[+ A GRAM-POSITIVE BUG1 :
SU7E/$ AN 9FEC;N (! HE>T VALVE4
  8,S MAYBE Y CD TALK 6HM AB :Y T'S S*
AN IMPORTANT TE/10 %E SD4            #DF
  8,SURE10 ,I SD1 "K+ T ! 3V]S,N 0 N
LIKELY 6G WELL4 ,I WD PROBABLY J PISS HM
(F "S M & N ACTU,Y *ANGE 8 M9D4
  ,!N ,I HE>D ,PAT ,FLEET'S GRAVELLY1
MUSICAL VOICE -+ F A "WROOM 9 ! W>D CORE
& F.D HM HOLD+ =? ON SODIUM BAL.E )A
CLU/] ( RESID5TS & FELL[S4 ,FLEET _H
D>K1 9TELLIG5T EYES &A GRT MOP ( HAIR1 &
HE WORE A PLAID %IRT1 KHAKI PANTS1 &
L1!R S&ALS4 ,Z ,I SAT D[N1 ,FLEET WRAPP$
UP 8 M9I-LECTURE1 TURN$ 6ME1 & SD HELLO4
,I 9TRODUC$ MYF Z "O (! NEW ATT5D+S & SD
,I'D J MET ,K]MIT ,JACKSON4
  8,WELCOME 6,H>BORVIEW10 ,FLEET SD4
8,DID ,K]MIT ?R1T5 6KILL Y80
  8,HE DID1 9 FACT40
  8,WELL1 T'S 8 ,M4,O4 :5 HE'S (F !
M$S10 ,FLEET SD4 ,HE 0 TALK+ AB ,K]MIT'S
PSY*IATRIC M$IC,N4 8,TAL5T$ HORN PLAY]1
0! WAY4 ,Y MI<T ASK HM AB T40
  ,I />T$ %AK+ MY H1D4 8,HE'S N 9T]E/$ 9
TALK+ 6ME & DIDN'T LET ME EXAM9E HM4 ,S
T'S A *ALL5GE4 ,& "! >E GRAM-POSITIVE
CO3I 9 8 BLOOD40
  ,FLEET CROSS$ 8 >MS4 8,! L9E'S     #DG
GO+ 6H 6-E \40 ,HE M1NT ,K]MIT'S DIALY-
SIS CA!T]4
  8,I WASN'T A# 6LOOK AT X1 UN=TUNATE-
LY40
  8,PUS "EY":4 ,? IS 8 ?IRD 9FEC;N4 ,WE
%D H PULL$ X LA/ "T B HE TALK$ ME \ ( X4
,I WANT 6RUN HM AG 9 ! MORN+1 !N YANK
X40
  8,S.DS GD10 ,I SD1 EV5 ?\< X DID N S.D
GD AT ALL4 ,K]MIT WD H 6/AY 9 ! HOSPITAL
UNTIL ! BLOOD/R1M 9FEC;N CLE>$ &A NEW
/]ILE CA!T] 0 IMPLANT$4 ,"! WASN'T A WAY
= HM 6RCV DIALYSIS O!RWISE4
  ,FLEET %RU7$ & SD1 8,Y'LL SEE4 ,! GUY
IS ALL B>K & NO BITE40

  ,I R1D ,MIRABELLE'S M$ICAL *>T :ILE
WAIT+ = H] 6RETURN4 ,H] SEV5-YE>-OLD
DAU<T] LIV$ 9 FO/] C>E1 ,I LE>N$1 & %E
H]F /AY$ AT A HOME.S WOM5'S %ELT]4 ,%E
_H BE5 9TUBAT$ & ON LIFE SUPPORT 9 !
,,ICU ! PREVI\S MON?1 & CRITICAL C>E
DOCTORS _H OP9$ T H] "PICUL> A6LIC;N1
PULMON>Y HYP]T5.N1 0 CAUS$ 0H] DRUG
HABIT1 SPECIFIC,Y F ! SMALL BLOOD    #DH
CLOTS T DEVELOP$ :5 A P]SON 9JECT$ /REET
DRUGS4 ,3T9U+ 69JECT WD BR+ ON A RAPID
5D1 !Y'D W>N$ H]4 ,HE>T-&-LUNG TRANS-
PLANT,N 0 "S"TS (F]$ Z LIFE-SU/A9+ !RAPY
= ^? ) 5D-/AGE PULMON>Y HYP]T5.N1 B !
SELEC;N ( 8APPROPRIATE0 C&IDATES =A LIM-
IT$ NUMB] ( ORGANS CD RESEM# ! APPLIC,N
PROCESS AT ELITE COLLEGES4 ,MIRABELLE1
"EY"O 2LIEV$1 DID N MAKE ! GRADE4
  ,! NURSE PAG$ ME :5 ,MIRABELLE F9,Y
RETURN$4 ,I HU/L$ OV] 6! W>D & /OPP$ 9 !
DOORWAY4 ,%E 0 SITT+ 9 B$1 SIPP+ A DR9K
"? A /RAW1 & %E 0 /RIK+LY PRETTY4 ,H]
L;G1 H1L?Y HAIR & CL1N SK9 DIDN'T FIT )
HOME.S;S & *RONIC DRUG USE4 ,! ONLY H9T
T "S?+ 0 AMISS 0 ! PLA/IC TUB+ T CURL$
OV] H] E>S & BLEW OXYG5 6H] NOSE4 ,! TAP
_H BE5 TURN$ 6SIX LIT]S P] M9UTE1 M ?AN
_M PATI5TS ) 5D-/AGE EMPHYSEMA US$4 ,I
SD T ! EM]G5CY DOCTOR _H TOLD ME AB H]
DI6ICULTY BR1?+4
  8,I'M S PU6Y "EY":10 %E SD4 8,I _H TO
TAKE (F MY R+S40 ,%E %[$ ME T H] F+]S 7
PLUMP Z BR1KFA/ SAUSAGES4 8,Y'RE N ALL[$
6SLEEP SITT+ UP AT ! %ELT]1 & :5     #DI
,I LIE D[N ,I FEEL L ,I'M DR[N+40
  8,H[ F> C Y WALK80
  8,I US$ 6G Z M* Z ,I NE$$1 B ,I GET
TIR$ N[40
  8,D Y TAKE M$IC,N80
  8,I RAN \ LA/ WEEK40
  8,:AT H ! DOCTORS TOLD Y80
  8,!Y SD "!'S A PRO#M ) MY HE>T & MY
LUNGS40
  8,OKAY1 T'S "R40
  8,I HAV5'T %OT UP IN1 L1 F\R MON?S4
,I'M TRY+ 6GET MY DAU<T] BACK40
  ,I NO4$ APPROV+LY4 8,WE'LL USE DIURET-
ICS 6TAKE FLUID (F YR LUNGS4 ,IF Y'VE
/OPP$ 9JECT+1 ! PULMON>Y HYP]T5.N C 2
REV]S$40
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D & SD1 8,NO "O 2LIEVES
,I QUIT40
  8,X TAKES A L;G "T = BLOOD VESSELS TO
H1L AF Y 9JECT DRUGS4 ,"S"TS X TAKES
YE>S40
  8,YE>S8 ,>E Y KI4+ ME80 %E SD4 ,%E
ASK$ = "S?+ = H] *E/ PA9 & ANXIETY1 &
SD1 8,& ,I'M ALL]GIC 6,DEM]OL1 ,TORADOL1
& IBUPR(540                          #EJ
  8,I'LL H ! NURSE BR+ "S ,TYL5OL40
  8,I US$ 6%OOT ?REE GRAMS ( H]O9 A "D10
%E SD GRAVELY1 8S ,I DON'T EV5 FEEL T
/UFF40
  8,TYL5OL "WS DI6]5TLY ?AN H]O9 OR N>-
COTICS40
  ,%E RAIS$ AN EYEBR[ & SD1 8,I H PA9 :5
,I GET %ORT ( BR1?40 ,%E />T$ 6DESCRIBE
H[ PA9;L H] PA9 WAS4
  ,I SI<$4 8,I'LL WRITE = "S OXYCOD"O10
,I SD4 ,OXYCOD"O 0 ! HOSPITAL'S BASIC
ORAL N>COTIC4
  8,?ANK Y = "U/&+1 ,DOCTOR4 ,I WON'T
NE$ T :5 ,I FEEL BETT]40
  ,9 H] *>T ,I ORD]$ A UR9E DRUG SCRE51
S9CE %E'D MADE S* A BIG D1L AB X4

  ,9 ! AFN ,I MET = R.DS ) ,B>B>A ,P>-
LOTZ1 A VET]AN SOCIAL "W] :O _H BE5 AT
,H>BORVIEW = TW5TY YE>S4 ,B>B'S C>E] AT
! HOSPITAL _H />T$ ) NEUROSURG]Y2 F "!
%E _H G"O 6! ,,ICU1 !N 6CL9IC1 & !N 96!
ADM9I/RATIVE RANKS1 ": %E R1LIZ$ %E PRE-
F]R$ PATI5T C>E4 ,9 REC5T YE>S %E _H "W$
) M$IC9E PATI5TS ON ,?REE & ,F\R1    #EA
:O _H PRES5T$ H] ) J AB E /ORY1 SEQUEL1
& SCAM IMAG9A#4 ,%E WORE JEWEL-T"O SUITS
) SM>T A3ESSORIES1 C>RI$ A UBIQUIT\S
B9D] ) H] PATI5TS' VITAL /ATS1 & %E AF-
FECT$ A %[-ME-!-M"OY APPROA* ) BO? !
CLI5TELE &! DOCTORS4
  ,AT ! 2G9N+ ( \R R.DS1 ,B>B SD1 8,I
SEE T ,K]MIT ,JACKSON IS BACK40
  ,I 0 SITT+ ON ! GRE5 V9YL C\* 9 ! (-
FICE1 R1DY ) NOTES AB ! NEW PATI5TS4
,B>B TOLD ME %E _H ALR HELP$ OR*E/RATE
TWO HOSPITAL 4*>GES = ,K]MIT 9 REC5T
MON?S4 ,I TOLD H] AB ! CURR5T BLOOD/R1M
9FEC;N1 8 POT5TIAL NE$ = S"EAL WEEKS (
9TRAV5\S ANTIBIOTICS4
  8,HIS NURS+ HOME MAY REFUSE 6TAKE HM
BACK4 ,WE RE,Y _H 6BEG LA/ "T10 %E SD4
  8,HE SEEMS P>ANOID4 ,I 3SULT$ ,PSY*IA-
TRY AB 8 M$S1 : HE HAS REFUS$ 6TAKE =!
LA/ C\PLE ( WEEKS4 ,HE MAY REQUIRE AN
9PATI5T /AY ON ,FIVE40 ,! LOCK$ PSY*IA-
TRY W>DS 7 LOCAT$ ON ,FIVE4
  8,I'LL KEEP ! NURS+ HOME UPDAT$40
  8,NEXT IS ,MIRABELLE ,FLEM+4 ,"Y WOMAN
) PULMON>Y HYP]T5.N T MAY IMPROVE    #EB
IF %E /OPS US+4 ,%E /AYS AT ! WOM5'S
%ELT]40
  ,B>B R1D F H] B9D]3 8,HAS A KID 9 FO/]
C>E4 ,T'S A PRETTY UNUSUAL /ORY40 ,%E
TOLD ME "! 0 G5],Y A LOT ( GOV]N;T SUP-
PORT = "MS ) *N4
  8,%E SAYS %E QUIT %OOT+4 ,%E WANTS !
KID BACK40
  8,T POOR KID4 ,& ,I DON'T M1N ! PA-
TI5T40
  ,I PULL$ UP A -PUT] SCRE5 %[+ ,MIRA-
BELLE'S UR9E TOX SCRE51 : 0 NEGATIVE ?
"T1 B ,I NOTIC$ T A SCRE5 D"O 9 ! ,,ED
TWO WEEKS PREVI\S _H BE5 POSITIVE = H]O9
& COCA9E4 ,I PO9T$ ,B>B 6^! RESULTS4
  8,S H] PULMON>Y SITU,N MAY N 2 S RE-
V]SI#4 ,B "! M/ 2 "S SORT ( !RAPY WE CD
(F]40
  ,B>B GL.ED D[N AT H] B9D] & SD1 8,%E
DOESN'T H ! "R K9D ( FUND+ 6G /RAI<T 9TO
9PATI5T DRUG TR1T;T4 ,I C GIVE H] A LI/
( DRUG TR1T;T RES\RCES4 ,WE'LL GET H] ON
! WAIT+ LI/ & FOLL[ UP :5 A SPOT OP5S40
  8,T'S ALL WE C D80
  8,T'S X10 ,B>B SD4 8,%E'S GOT TO   #EC
/>T MAK+ "S BETT] *OICES40
  8,OKAY10 ,I SD4 8,?IRD IS ,M>V ,HOO-
LEY1 HOME.S1 A DR9K]1 LIVES AT ! MIS.N4
,M>V HAS HE>T FAILURE1 PROBABLY F DR9K-
+40 ,B>B SCRIB#D D[N 8 DIAGNOSES4
  8,W HE )DRAW80
  8,PROBABLY40
  8,BACK 6! MIS.N 9 MAYBE TWO OR ?REE
"DS80
  8,PROBABLY40
  8,?ANK Y10 ,B>B SD1 F9I%+ H] NOTES4
8,I'LL GET ON ! HORN40
  ,2F ,I LEFT =! "D1 ,I /OPP$ 9 6SEE
,K]MIT ,JACKSON AG4 ,HE 0 LY+ ON 8 BACK
& MUMBL+ :5 ,I CAME IN4 8,MY LUN* 0 POI-
SON$10 HE TOLD ME ANGRILY4 8,MY NURSE IS
TRY+ 6POISON ME6 ,C Y 2LIEVE T %IT80
  8,I DON'T ?9K ! NURSE _H ANY?+ 6D ) YR
LUN*4 ,! FOOD -ES F ! CAFET]IA S]VICE40
  ,K]MIT MUTT]$1 8,I DON'T "K :AT Y'RE S
SC>$ (40
  8,EXCUSE ME80
  ,K]MIT LOOK$ AT ME SUSPICI\SLY & SD1
8,:O >E Y80
  8,I'M YR DOCTOR40                  #ED
  8,FLEET IS MY DOCTOR40
  8,Y1H4 ,FLEET IS YR KIDNEY DOCTOR4
,I'M ! HOSPITAL DOCTOR4 ,WE TALK$ AB X ?
MORN+40
  8,I "K10 HE SNAPP$4
  8,LI/51 Y'VE GOT AN 9FEC;N 9 YR
BLOOD40
  8,T IS :AT ,I H BE5 TRY+ 6TELL Y P ?
:OLE "T6 ,MY BLOOD IS 2+ POISON$40
  8,: IS :Y Y'RE GETT+ ANTIBIOTICS ) DI-
ALYSIS10 ,I SD4 8,B WE AL NE$ 6FIGURE \
H[ L;G 6TR1T ! 9FEC;N1 & 6D T ,I'D L TO
GET AN ULTRAS.D ( YR HE>T40
  8,FUCK T10 HE SD4
  ,I SI<$ & SD1 8,MAYBE LAT]1 !N4 ,IS "!
ANY?+ Y NE$ "R N[80
  8,Y1H4 ,I NE$ 6TALK 6! PRESID5T (!
HOSPITAL AB ! FACT T ,I AM 2+ POISON$40
  8,LET ME SEE IF ,I C F9D "S"O 6-E TALK
) Y4 ,X MI<T N 2 ! HOSPITAL PRESID5T4 ,Y
"K1 D Y "E HE> VOICES OR SEE ?+S80
  8,NO10 ,K]MIT SD4
  8,CD Y LET ME "K IF T DOES HAPP5 6Y80
  8,QUIET60 ,K]MIT SCR1M$1 LOOK+ T[>D !
CURTA94 ,8 ROOMMATE'S B$ 0 VACANT4   #EE
  8,I'LL SEE Y 9 ! MORN+1 ,MR4 ,JACK-
SON40
  8,?ANK Y = -+ BY10 HE SD4
  8,Y'RE WELCOME4 ,SEE Y 9 ! MORN+40

  ,AT MORN+ SIGN\T1 ! OV]NI<T RESID5T L$
) NEWS ( ,MIRABELLE'S #A A4M4 OXYG5 DE-
SATUR,N4 ,! RESID5T SD %E PLAC$ A FACE
MASK ON ! PATI5T & BLA/$ #AJJ P]C5T OXY-
G51 SD X FELT L X TOOK ="E = H] OXYG5
SATUR,N 6-E UP F ! #GJ;S1 ?\< X 0 PROBA-
BLY J A FEW M9UTES4
  8,I ?"\ %E MI<T NE$ 6BE 9TUBAT$10 !
RESID5T SD4 8,S WE TALK$4 ,%E WANTS "EY-
?+4 ,BR1?+ MA*9E1 L9ES1 PRESSORS1 ,,CPR4
,I GUESS ,I WD TOO4 ,?IRTY YE>S OLD4 ,%E
GOT BETT] ) FACE MASK OXYG5 & AN EXTRA
%OT ( FUROSEMIDE4 ,%E ISN'T A TRANSPLANT
C&IDATE1 IS %E80
  8,%E'S "Y & WANTS 6QUIT US+ & HAS A
SEV5-YE>-OLD10 ,I SD4 ,I DIDN'T "K :Y ,I
0 TAK+ ,MIRABELLE'S SIDE4 8,B Y'RE "R4
,! TRANSPLANT FOLKS WON'T EV5 TALK 6H]
UNTIL %E'S PROV5 6BE CL1N = SIX MON?S40
  ,! RESID5T REPORT$ T ,M>V'S TEM-   #EF
P]ATURE _H HIT #AJC DEGREES ,FAHR5HEIT1
T HE'D PULL$ \ 8 ,,IV & /UM#D 9 ! BA?-
ROOM1 BRUIS+ 8 H& ON ! S9K4 ,"! 7 NO
BROK5 B"OS ON ! ;,X-RAYS4
  8,HE'S PRETTY \ ( X10 %E SD4 ,%E _H 8
WRI/S & WAI/ TI$ 6! B$ S HE WDN'T GET UP
& HURT HMF AG4 8,HE'S GETT+ F\R ( LORAZ-
EPAM E C\PLE H\RS4 ,IS "! A LIMIT ON H[
M* B5ZOS HE C GET80
  8,HE'S TA*YC>DIC & HYP]T5SIVE1 S HE
NE$S ALL ! DRUGS HE'S GETT+4 ,Y J H TO
KEEP GIV+ M UNTIL ! VITAL SIGNS NORMAL-
IZE40
  8,I WORRY T HE'LL GET S M* T HE /OPS
BR1?+40
  8,"S"TS Y H 6GIVE T M*10 ,I SD1 &!
RESID5T LOOK$ HORRIFI$4 8,:5 T HAPP5S1 Y
S5D !M 6! ,,ICU 6GET "? X4 ,"S"TS !Y H
6BE 9TUBAT$4 ,B Y'RE TRY+ 6KEEP HM F
SEIZ+1 & HE CD DIE IF HE DEVELOPS DELIR-
IUM TREM5S4 ,"R80
  8,I SEE10 ! RESID5T SD4 ,%E / SEEM$
SKEPTICAL4
  ,NO?+ NEWSWOR?Y _H HAPP5$ ) ,K]MIT
OV]NI<T1 6MY SURPRISE1 & "! 7 TWO    #EG
NEW PATI5TS = ME 6ADMIT T MORN+3 AN
,,HIV,'-POSITIVE MAN ) PURPLE HAIR &A
C\<1 & AN ELD]LY WOMAN ) AN AS?MA EXAC]-
B,N1 : BR"\ MY 8S]VICE0 6EI<T PATI5TS4
,! -PUT] %[$ T ! NEW "OS 7 BO? ON ,F\R1
S ,I ?ANK$ ! RESID5T = H] GD C>E1 PULL$
ON MY :ITE COAT1 & H1D$ =! W>DS4
  ,MY F/ /OP 0 6SEE ,MIRABELLE1 :O 0
SLEEP+ P1CE;LLY1 ! HOSPITAL B$ B5T S T
%E 0 SITT+ NE>LY UP"R4 ,OXYG5 MI/$ >.D
H] M\? & NOSE1 & %E LOOK$ -=TA#4 ,I MUR-
MUR$ HELLO & PLAC$ MY /E?OSCOPE OV] H]
*E/1 LI/5+ 6! CO>SE LUNG S.DS1 !N :ISP]$
T ,I'D RETURN :5 %E 0 AWAKE4 ,A /1M+
BR1KFA/ TRAY WAIT$ ON H] B$SIDE TA#1 UN-
T\*$4
  ,NEXT DOOR1 ,M>V SMELL$ WORSE ?AN !
PREVI\S "D & 0 TALK+ 9COH]5TLY4 ,I EXAM-
9$ HM & DECID$ ON ! "D'S PLAN3 M B5ZOS1
SUPPLE;TAL ELECTROLYTES 6REPLACE :AT
HE'D LO/1 &A MOD]ATE AM.T ( ,,IV FLUID1
S9CE HE _H HE>T FAILURE4 ,HE _HN'T T\*$
8 PANCAKES EI1 ,I NOTIC$1 B !N 8 H&S 7
TI$ 6! B$4
  ,I /OPP$ 9 6MEET ! WOMAN ) AS?-    #EH
MA1 ^: "N 0 ,!LMA ,SMI?4 ,!LMA'S F/ "Q 0
:E!R OR N %E CD G3 8,H"OY1 ,I FEEL #AJJ
P]C5T BETT]40
  ,!LMA TOLD ME T %E TOOK C>E ( H] ADULT
SON AT HOME1 T HE _H KIDNEY FAILURE1 T
%E WORRI$ AB HM1 S %E NE$$ 6BE ON H] WAY
Z SOON Z %E CD4 8,? ALL HAPP5$ 2C ,I RAN
\ ( MY M$IC,N40
  8,Y TAKE C>E ( HM10 ,I SD1 8B Y'RE N
TAK+ C>E ( YRF40
  8,I "K10 %E SI<$4 ,! *>T PUT H] AGE AT
SEV5TY-TWO YE>S OLD4
  8,D Y NE$ HELP AT HOME8 ,D Y NE$ "S"O
6BR+ M1LS80
  8,H"OY1 ,I DON'T ?9K S10 %E SD4
  ,I TOLD H] T %E CD L1VE IF %E CD WALK
)\T RUNN+ \ ( BR1?1 IF %E PROMIS$ 6VISIT
H] REGUL> DOCTOR NEXT WEEK4
  8,OH1 YES60 %E SD4
  ,ACR ! W>D 0 ! "Y MAN ) SPIKY PURPLE
HAIR1 A *ATTY FELL[ :O SD T HE _HN'T
VISIT$ A DOCTOR 9 YE>S1 T HE'D BE5
H1L?Y1 & 8 ,,HIV _H N"E GIV5 HM ANY
PRO#MS4 ,HE "W$ NI<TS 9 A 3V5I;E M>T1 &
2C ( 8 ]RATIC S*$ULE HE "S"TS =GOT   #EI
6TAKE 8 ANTIRETROVIRALS1 S ! 9FECTI\S
41SE DOCTORS _H TOLD HM 6/OP TAK+ ! M$S4
,HE _HN'T RE,Y ?"\ HE NE$$ !M 9 ! F/
PLACE1 HE SD4 ,I TOLD HM T ! DOCTORS MAY
H BE5 3C]N$ AB DRUG RESI/.E1 S9CE HE 0
SKIPP+ DOSES E N[ & !N4 ,! 9FECTI\S 41SE
DOCTORS SD X 0 H1L?I] 9 ! L;G RUN N TO
TAKE ! DRUGS ?AN 6TAKE !M #HE P]C5T (!
"T4
  ,B BLOOD "W F E>LI] 9 ! MORN+ SU7E/$ T
HE _H ONLY A FEW :ITE BLOOD CELLS LEFT1
M1N+ HE 0 SUSCEPTI# 6A NUMB] ( O!RWISE
H>M.S BUGS T LIV$ 9 ! SOIL & WAT]1 Z
WELL Z ORD9>Y FUNGI & MOLDS4 ,8 TEMP]A-
TURE 0 #AJA DEGREES4 ,I ASK$ HM 6BR+ UP
"S?+ F DEEP 9 8 LUNGS & NOT$ T 9 ! M1N"T
HE WD GET SPECULATIVE TR1T;T = PNEUMO-
CY/IS1 ! CLASSIC ,,AIDS PNEUMONIA1 A LL
BUG T 0 MAYBE FUNGUS & MAYBE PROTOZOA &
CD PROVOKE MASSIVE LUNG 9FLAMM,N4
  ,F9,Y1 ,I CDN'T PUT (F ,K]MIT ANY L;G-
]4 ,2F VISIT+1 ,I R1D ! PSY*IATRI/S'
NOTE1 A FIVE-PAGE EPIC4 ,! NOTE -;T$ ON
,K]MIT'S GROOM+ 7DIRTY /REET CLO!S71 8
SPEE* 7PRESSUR$71 8 ?"\ PATT]N       #FJ
7TANG5TIAL7 & 3T5T 7HOMICIDAL74 ,"! 0 A
V]BATIM QUOTE 9 ! *>T3 8,I AM 2+ POI-
SON$6 ,IF Y DON'T L1VE ,I W KILL Y60
  ,! PSY*IATRI/S RECOMM5D$ T HE RESUME 8
PREVI\S ANTIPSY*OTIC M$IC,N1 />T+ AT !
L[E/ DOSE & 9CR1S+ OV] A FEW "DS1 & T WE
USE ,VALIUM 09TRAV5\S PU% IF HE 0 \ (
3TROL4 ,9 ALL1 X 0 N V HELP;L4 ,I CDN'T
=CE ,K]MIT 6RCV TR1T;T1 2C HE 0 ASSUM$
6BE A R,NAL ADULT1 & ,I P]SON,Y 0 N GO+
6/& NEXT 6HM UNTIL HE SWALL[$ 8 PILLS4
,I SNAPP$ ! *>T CLOS$ & H1D$ = ,K]MIT'S
ROOM4 ,HE 0 LIVID4
  8,I A9'T CRAZY60 HE SCR1M$4
  8,NOBODY SAYS Y'RE CRAZY10 ,I SD1
CLASP+ MY H&S4 ,X 0 ALL ,I CD D 6N CROSS
MY >MS4
  8,I DON'T NE$ NO FUCK+ %R9K60 HE
SCR1M$1 L\D]4 ,8 FACE 0 R$D5+4
  8,Y'VE BE5 (F YR M$S40
  8,Y "E TAKE T %IT YRF8 ,X RE,Y FUCKS Y
UP40
  8,K]MIT40
  8,X .MAKES Y CRAZY40 ,HE 0 / %\T+4
  8,LOOK1 Y H A BAD 9FEC;N4 ,Y GOT   #FA
RE,Y SICK :5 Y W5T (F YR M$S40
  ,8 EYES WID5$ & HE YELL$1 8,I AM N
CRAZY60 ,A NURSE WALK+ 0ASK$ IF ,I NE$$
HELP1 & ,I WAV$ H] (F4 8,X'S N YR
FAULT10 ,I SD4
  8,LOOK1 X RE,Y SUCKS T Y'RE SICK10 ,I
SD4
  ,HE GRUM#D & PULL$ UP 8 COV]S4
  8,I "K X'S N FAIR40
  ,HE DIDN'T RESPOND1 & ,I WOND]$ IF HE
WD SWIT* 8 MUSIC ON AG S HE DIDN'T H TO
TALK ) ME4
  8,I "K Y'VE BE5 9 & \ (! HOSPITAL S9CE
Y 7 N9ETE540
  8,Y1H10 HE MUM#D4
  8,Y "K1 ,FLEET M5;N$ T Y PLAY ! HORN40
,I SD4
  ,K]MIT SQU9T$ AT ME & SU45LY ! NORMAL
SWIT* W5T ON4 8,Y1H4 ,TW5TY YE>S4 ,I'M
GD4 ,I PLAY AT ALL ! CLUBS10 HE SD4
  8,T'S :AT ,FLEET SD4 ,HE SD Y 7 RE,Y
GD40
  8,I'M RE,Y GD10 HE SD4 8,Y WANT 6BUY
MY ;,,CD8 ,I C MAKE Y A SPECIAL D1L40
  ,I SMIL$4 8,I WD 2 9T]E/$ 9 HE>+   #FB
YR MUSIC "S"T10 ,I SD4 ,I 0 FEEL+ ALM
DESP]ATE 5 6PUR*ASE A PATI5T'S A6EC;N1
TOO4 ,2F ! 3V]S,N CD *ANGE AG1 ,I ASK$
IF HE WD LET ME EXAM9E HM1 & ? "T HE
AGRE$4 ,:5 ,I R1*$ G5TLY "U 8 %IRT1 ,I
SAW T 8 DIALYSIS CA!T] 0 CRU/$ OV] )A
GRAY-GRE5 SUB/.E4
  8,X'S 9FECT$10 ,I SD4
  8,Y1H1 X NE$S 6-E \10 HE SD4
  ,I DECID$ T ,I _H PU%$ Z F> ,I NE$$
TO1 T X 0 5 "R N[ = ,K]MIT 6BE TALK+ 6ME
& LETT+ ME T\* HM4 ,NEXT "T ,I WD TALK )
HM AB ! E*OC>DIOGRAM1 : HE'D ALR REFUS$
TWICE4 ,:ILE ,I SOAP$ UP AT ! S9K1
,FLEET ZOOM$ 9 & SD1 8,:AT'S ! MATT]8 ,I
HE> Y DON'T L YR M$IC,NS40
  8,FUCK10 ,K]MIT SD4 8,!Y PUT ME TO
SLEEP40
  ,FLEET SD1 8,Y1H1 YR LA/ DOSE MI<T H
BE5 TOO HI<4 ,B Y NE$ "S?+40
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,K]MIT FR[N$4

  ,:5 ,I SWUNG PA/ 6SEE ,MIRABELLE AG1
%E 0 F9I%+ H] BR1KFA/1 & %E 0 Q PL1S$ )!
S]VICE %E 0 RCVG3 8,! SWELL+ IS      #FC
D[N4 ,I C ACTU,Y SEE MY FACE40
  8,R\< NI<T80
  8,I H A H>D "T BR1?+ E NI<T40
  8,H[ IS YR PA980
  8,X'S G"O1 & ,I J WANT 6?ANK Y = LI/5+
6ME4 ,A LOT ( DOCTORS DON'T WANT 6D1L )
PA94 ,!Y DON'T RE,Y WANT 6HELP Y \40
  8,WE TALK$ AB H[ Y QUIT US+40
  8,T'S "R40
  8,S ! UR9E TOX 0 NEGATIVE YE/]"D1 Z Y
TOLD ME X WD BE1 B TWO WEEKS AGO X 0
POSITIVE = H]O9 & COCA9E4 ,:AT'S ! D1L80
  ,%E GAVE A PRETTY SMILE4 8,LOOK1 ,I "K
? LUNG ?+ WON'T GET BETT] UN.S ,I /AY
CL1N4 ,T 0 A SLIPUP1 & ,I RE,Y REGRET
X40
  ,I SI<$ & TOLD H] ,I 0 GO+ 6CALL ,PUL-
MON>Y TD1 6SEE :AT ELSE MI<T 2 (F]$ = H]
41SE1 & !N MY PAG] RANG4 ,I H1D$ \ 6!
"WROOMS 6ANSW] ! CALL1 : 0 AB ,!LMA1 ^:
OXYG5 LEVEL DROPP$ 6#HI P]C5T :5 %E W5T
6! BA?ROOM4
  8,%E C'T G HOME10 ,I SD4 ,I HUNG UP &
PAG$ ,PULMON>Y4 ,:ILE ,I 0 WAIT+1 ,I
2GAN WRIT+ ! "D'S *>T NOTES1 />T+    #FD
) ,M>V1 :O _H ! EASIE/ PLAN ( ALL (! PA-
TI5TS4 ,PULMON>Y CALL$ BACK1 & ,I CD HE>
! DOCTOR TAPP+ AT A -PUT] ON ! O!R 5D Z
,I DESCRIB$ ,MIRABELLE'S /ORY4
  8,? W KILL H]10 HE SD4 .,CLICK1
.CLICK4
  8,I ?"\ Y MI<T H "S?+ 6RECOMM5D 9 !
9T]IM40
  8,Y'RE GOT H] ON ! "R M$S10 HE SD4
8,DIURETIC DUR+ ! HOSPITALIZ,N1 CALCIUM
*ANNEL BLOCK] *RONIC,Y4 ,WE PROBABLY
WON'T H M* ELSE 6ADD4 ,%E'S A %OOT]1 :
M1NS %E'S N A C&IDATE = BOS5TAN40 ,BOS5-
TAN 0 AN 9TRAV5\S DRUG T CO/ APPROXI-
MATELY 4#AJ1JJJ A YE> & EXT5D$ LIFE 0AB
SIX MON?S4 ,! PRO#M WASN'T ! CO/ (!
DRUG1 Z X HAPP5$1 2C ! MANUFACTUR] WD
PROVIDE X ON A *>;Y BASIS4 ,! PRO#M 0 T
! DRUG REQUIR$ A P]MAN5T 9TRAV5\S L9E S
! M$IC,N CD 2 9FUS$ /RAI<T 6H] HE>T4
.,PRIMUM .NON .NOCERE1 F/ D NO H>M4 ,A
P]MAN5T L9E 0 J TOO M* TEMPT,N =A %OOT]4
  ,PULMON>Y SD1 8,C Y 3V9CE H] 6USE OXY-
G5 AT HOME8 ,T MAY SL[ D[N ! 41SE40
  ,I REM9D$ ,PULMON>Y T %E 0 HOME-   #FE
.S1 T ! M$ICAL SUPPLY -PANY WDN'T L5D \
A TANK UN.S ! PATI5T _H AN A4RESS4 ,I _H
LE>N$ F ,B>B1 ! SOCIAL "W]1 T OXYG5
TANKS USU,Y GOT DAMAG$ OR LO/ ON !
/REETS4
  8,! PATI5T SAYS %E'S QUIT 9JECT+40
  8,T WD C]TA9LY 2 BETT] = H] ?AN ANY?+
WE C (F]40
  8,MAYBE YR T1M C -;T ON :AT %E WD NE$
6D 6GET TRANSPLANT$40
  ,PULMON>Y LAU<$ A CRUEL1 PATRONIZ+
LAU< & SD1 8,SURE4 ,WE'LL -;T ON T1
TOO40
  ,I HUNG UP ! PH"O ?9K+ AB H[ >ROGANTLY
! ^W 8C]TA9LY0 CD -E (F1 Z 9 8WE >E C]-
TA9LY N GO+ 6FIX ?40 ,B>B 0 "R AB ,MIRA-
BELLE3 UN.S %E MADE UP H] M9D & QUIT
DRUGS = GD1 UN.S %E DECID$ T %E WANT$ TO
LIVE1 %E WD DIE )9 MON?S4 ,"! WASN'T M*
ELSE ,I CD D 6HELP H]4

  ,0! 5D (! WEEK1 ,M>V ,HOOLEY />T$ TO
WAKE F 8 ALCOHOL )DRAWAL /UPOR4 ,MIRA-
BELLE 0 FEEL+ A LL BIT M L H] OLD SELF1
& TOOK L1VE (! W>D = H\RS AT A "T1   #FF
RETURN+1 X SEEM$1 ONLY :5 H] LIPS 7
BLUE4 ,PULMON>Y OP9$ T "! 0 NO?+ ELSE TO
2 D"O = H] 2Y ! M$IC,NS %E 0 GETT+ ALR1
& !N ASSUR$ ME %E 0 N A TRANSPLANT C&I-
DATE &= ALL 9T5TS & PURPOSES N"E WD BE4
,I 4*>G$ ,!LMA HOME 6T5D 6H] SON1 B RE-
MA9$ P]PLEX$ 0! ,,HIV PATI5T ) PURPLE
HAIR4 ,"! 0 NO 9FEC;N 6BE F.D1 & YET HE
3T9U$ 6GR[ 9CR1S+LY BR1?.S4 ,PSY*IATRY
AGRE$ ) ME T ,K]MIT ,JACKSON APPE>$ IN-
CAPA# ( MAK+ DECI.NS = HMF1 T HE DIDN'T
"U/& ! 3SEQU;ES ( N TAK+ ANTIPSY*OTIC
M$IC,N4 ,K]MIT DEMON/RAT$ T HE 0 RE-
S\RCE;L 5\<1 H["E1 6H A M$IUM-SIZE SAU-
SAGE & HOT PEPP] PIZZA DELIV]$ 6HIS ROOM
ON ,?REE1 : HE D[N$ 9 "O SATISFI$ SITT+4
,AFW1 :5 ,FLEET & ,I CAME 9 6TALK ) HM1
HE SAT 9 B$ SMIL+ L ! ,*E%IRE CAT4
  8,:5 ,I SD Y CD EAT A LL BIT M1 ,I'M N
SURE ,I M1NT AN 5TIRE SAUSAGE PIZZA10
,FLEET SD4 ,HE /UDI$ ! BOX LID & SD1
8,H[ 0 X80
  8,X 0 DELICI\S10 ,K]MIT SD1 & SMACK$ 8
LIPS4
  ,FLEET %OOK 8 B1D4 8,WELL1 WE'LL   #FG
SEE IF WE C UNDO ! DAMAGE A BIT :5 WE
DIALYZE Y40
  ,ON ,FRI"D MORN+1 SECUR;Y ESCORT$ ,K]-
MIT 6! C.TY'S 9VOLUNT>Y TR1T;T C\RT ACR
! /REET F ! HOSPITAL1 ": HE REFUS$ 6AC-
"KL$GE ! ATTORNEY APPO9T$ 6>GUE 8 CASE4
,MY A6IDAVIT 9 REG>D 6,K]MIT ,JACKSON
RAN 6FIVE HUNDR$ ^WS & TOLD ( 8 REFUSAL
6TAKE 8 PSY*IATRIC M$IC,N & 8 D5IAL T
ANY?+ 0 WR;G ) HM4 ,I DID N M5;N ! PIZZA
EPISODE4 ,! HE>+ LA/$ FIFTE5 M9UTES1 &!
JUDGE -MITT$ ,K]MIT 6A SEV5TY-TWO-H\R
PSY*IATRIC HOLD1 : M1NT T ! HOSPITAL CD
N[ =CIBLY TR1T HM4
  ,:5 ,K]MIT RETURN$ 6! W>D1 HE 0 ?OR\<-
LY PISS$4 ,HE 2GAN 6?R[ ?+S >.D--! EME-
SIS BAS91 TAPE1 GAUZE1 TRAUMA %E>S1 !
WAT] PIT*]--& !N HE />T$ PULL+ "EY?+ (F
8 B$4 ,! W>D CL]K CALL$ A ,CODE #E OV]-
H1D1 &! SECUR;Y GU>DS & BIG MALE NURSES
CAME SCRAMBL+ 9 6P9 ,K]MIT 6! B$ :ILE HE
SCR1M$1 8,,FUCK ,,Y6 ,I ,,W ,,KILL ,,ALL
,,( ,,Y60
  ,A NURSE PU%$ ,VALIUM "? 8 ,,IV UNTIL
,K]MIT'S BODY 2GAN 6%U4] & RELAX4    #FH
,=TY-FIVE M9UTES LAT]1 :ILE HE 0 / DOZ+1
A CREW CAME 6TAKE HM 6HIS NEW LODG+S ON
! PSY*IATRIC W>D4 ,Z ,I WAT*$ HM G D[N !
HALL & \ ( SI<T1 X O3URR$ 6ME T ,I %D
PROBABLY TRY 6FEEL "S PA?OS OR REMORSE =
HM1 B 9/1D1 ,I FELT RELIEV$3 HE 0 (F MY
S]VICE & N MY PRO#M ANYMORE4 ,I W5T BACK
6MY (FICE & PAG$ ,FLEET1 6TELL HM T ,K]-
MIT'S 9FEC;N 0 CLE>+1 T ! C\RT _H DETA9$
HM1 & HE 0 ON 8 WAY 6! PSY*IATRIC W>D4
  ,FLEET SD1 8,Y GOT 6KEEP CLOSE TABS ON
T GUY4 ,I'LL /OP 06SEE HM TM40












                ,SEQUEL              #FI

  ,! FOLL[+ WEEK1 ! *IEF ( M$IC9E1 :O
HAPP5$ 6BE AN ONCOLOGI/1 CALL$ 6SAY T %E
WANT$ A PATI5T ( H]S ADMITT$ = *EMO!RA-
PY4 ,! PATI5T _H A TR1TA# =M ( LYMPHOMA4
,I WROTE D[N ! M$ICAL RECORD NUMB] &
PULL$ UP 8 ELECTRONIC *>T4 ,8 "N 0 ,BILL
,JU/ICE1 & HE 0 A REP1T CU/OM]4
  ,BILL *ECK$ 9 AT ! C.ER CL9IC & !N
WALK$ OV] 6,F\R1 ": A B$ AWAIT$ HM4 ,HE
0 A ?9 R$H1D$ MAN4 ,:5 ,I CAME 6MEET HM1
HE 0 SITT+ 9 B$1 WAT*+ TELEVI.N4 ,WE
%OOK H&S4 ,HE SEEM$ FAMILI>1 & Z WE
TALK$1 ,I R1LIZ$ HE 0 A WRIT] AT "O (!
NEWSWEEKLIES4
  8,W[10 HE SD4 8,W[4 ,Y'RE A DOCTOR8 ,B
Y'RE1 L1 MY AGE40
  ,I TOLD HM ,I'D TAKE C>E ( HM :ILE HE
0 9 ! HOSPITAL1 & !N HE'D RETURN 6SEE MY
BOSS = L;G-T]M C>E4 ,I 0 N -PLETELY -=T-
A# )! IDEA ( HAV+ A WELL-"KN WRIT] Z A
PATI5T--X 0 N UNLIKE TAK+ C>E (A LAWY]--
B X 0 A ?REE-"D HOSPITALIZ,N1 &! BIG DE-
CI.NS 9 ? CASE WD 2 MADE 0! C.ER
SPECIALI/S4 ,HE _H 4CUSS$ ! *EMO-    #GJ
!RAPY PLAN ?OR\<LY ) 8 ONCOLOGI/ & KNEW
HE _H A 8GD0 =M ( C.ER T CD 2 CUR$4 ,!Y
7 OPTIMI/IC T ! NEW DRUGS WD "W4
  ,2F WE CD GET />T$1 ?\<1 HE'D NE$ A
C5TRAL L9E1 "? : ! *EMO!RAPY CD 2 9FUS$4
,MO/ PATI5TS GETT+ *EMO GOT A P]MAN5T
L9E1 : 0 M -=TA# & POS$ LESS RISK ( IN-
FEC;N1 B ,BILL _H BE5 "KN 69JECT ILLICIT
DRUGS ON O3A.N1 S A P]MAN5T L9E WASN'T
AN OP;N4
  ,I 2GAN 6/UDY 8 NECK1 6FEEL ": ! MUS-
CLES CAME 6A PO9T J ABV 8 COLL>B"O1 & ,I
F.D ! PULSE ( 8 C>OTID >T]Y4 ,BILL TOLD
ME T 8 JUGUL> VE9 0 PRETTY SC>R$ & ADH]-
5T 6HIS NECK MUSCLES1 [+ 6HIS HABIT (
9JECT+ "!4 ,B HE'D DEPLET$ 8 VE9S "EY":
ELSE4 ,I'D GOTT5 "S T\< "OS & 0 FAIRLY
3FID5T ,I WD GET X IN1 S ,I 2GAN CL1N+ !
SK94 ,I DRAP$ A /]ILE CLO? OV] 8 FACE1 &
HE SD1 8,I HE>D T IF Y 9JECT 96A L9E J
ONCE1 X C KILL Y40
  8,:AT Y 9JECT GOES /RAI<T 6YR HE>T40
  8,I "K A GUY :O _H A--PICK L9E8 ,HE
%OT COCA9E1 & HALF ( 8 BODY 2CAME
P>ALYZ$ 9/ANTLY4 ,H Y "E HE>D (      #GA
T80
  ,I _HN'T1 B ,I TOLD HM T P DIDN'T L1VE
! HOSPITAL )A C5TRAL L9E 2C ( SIGNIFI-
CANT H1L? RISKS4 ,"! 0 A REMOTE *.E !
P>ALYSIS /ORY 0 TRUE2 MAYBE ! L9E _HN'T
BE5 US$ 9 A :ILE1 & :5 ! A4ICT %OT UP1
HE 4LODG$ CLOTT$ BLOOD T SAIL$ "? A W9D[
9 8 HE>T & ON UP 6HIS BRA91 CAUS+ A
/ROKE4
  8,HE C'T WALK ANYMORE10 ,BILL SD4
  8,I GUESS T C HAPP510 ,I SD4
  8,W[40
  8,I PROMISE WE W PULL \ ! L9E & /OP
*EMO!RAPY IF Y D T40
  ,BILL SD1 8,I'M N /UPID4 ,I GOT 6B1T ?
C.ER40

  ,AFW ,I H1D$ D[N/AIRS 6,M>V ,HOOLEY'S
ROOM4 ,M>V 0 HAV+ ANO!R FEV] &! NURSE
WANT$ 6"K IF ,I WANT$ M BLOOD CULTURES1
S9CE HE'D _H A NUMB] ( !M & NO?+ _H
TURN$ UP4 ,8 OXYG5 LEVEL 0 / L[2 ,I
PULL$ OV] AT A -PUT] & CLICK$ ON A *E/
;,X-RAY D"O E>LI] 9 ! "D4 ,FLUID SURR.D$
8 "R LUNG4 ,X 0 PROBABLY RELAT$ TO   #GB
8 HE>T FAILURE1 B :AT IF X WASN'T8 ,HE
DIDN'T -E 6CL9IC REGUL>LY1 & ? MI<T 2 !
ONLY *.E 6MAKE ! DIAGNOSIS1 6GET HM
PO9T$ T[>D APPROPRIATE !RAPY4
  ,M>V 0 R1D+ ! NEWSPAP] :5 ,I GOT 6HIS
ROOM4 ,HE LOOK$ FRE%LY %[]$1 & HE _H AN
OV]SIZE HAIR PICK PLANT$ 9 8 AFRO4 ,MY
PAG] W5T (F4 ,I DECID$ 6IGNORE X =A M9-
UTE4
  8,I FEEL PRETTY GD10 ,M>V SD4 ,I TOLD
HM ,I 0 WORRI$ AB ! FEV]1 T ,I'D L 6RE-
MOVE "S (! LUNG FLUID & S5D X 6! LABORA-
TORY = ANALYSIS4
  8,Y D :AT Y NE$ 6D10 HE SD4 ,I RETURN$
)A P]MIS.N SLIP = HM 6SIGN & LAID \ SUP-
PLIES ON ! B$SIDE TA#4
  ,HE SD1 8,I _H BAD SW1TS LA/ NI<T40 ,I
NO4$4 ,MY M9D *ANT$ ! POSSIBILITIES3
HI45 9FEC;N1 TUB]CULOSIS1 BLOOD CLOT1
C.ER4 ,I NUMB$ 8 SK9 & GOT 96A POCKET (
FLUID AN 9* 2L ! SURFACE4 ,X DREW EASILY
96! SYR+E1 ! COLOR ( RUBIES4 ,I PRESS$
MY LIPS TGR4
  8,N[ T FEELS BETT]10 ,M>V SD4 8,?ANK
Y4 ,T DIDN'T HURT A BIT4 ,Y ALL >E   #GC
TAK+ S* GD C>E ( ME40
  ,! FLUID ANALYSIS %[$ A HI< LYMPHOCYTE
C.T :1 AL;GSIDE ! SW1TS & WEI<T LOSS
SU7E/$ TUB]CULOSIS4 ,I TRACK$ D[N ! *>GE
NURSE ON ,?REE4
  8,>E Y KI4+80 ,%E R1*$ 96H] BACK POCK-
ET =A LI/ ( PATI5TS ON ! W>DS4 ,F/ ORD]
( BUSI;S 0 6BUMP "S"O F "O (! ?REE PRI-
VATE ROOMS1 MOVE ,M>V IN1 & TURN ON !
V5TIL,N SY/EM1 : FILT]$ \ ANY?+ POT5TI,Y
3TAGI\S 9 8 ROOM4 ,Z SOON Z HE 0 SETTL$1
,I GE>$ UP 9 A FULL SPACE HELMET ) AIR
FILT] & W5T IN4 8,I ASSUME Y HE>D10 ,I
SD1 RAIS+ MY VOICE OV] ! BUZZ (! FILT]4
,HOPE;LLY HE CD R1D LIPS4
  8,TUB]CULOSIS10 HE SD4 ,HE MADE A
CLUCK+ NOISE4 ,HE 0 /&+ AT ! MIRROR1 -B+
8 HAIR1 : /OOD /RAI<T \ F 8 H1D 9 A
GLOBE-%AP$ MASS4
  8,WE'LL RUN A C\PLE M TE/S 6F9D \ IF
Y'RE 9FECTI\S40 ,IF ? 7 ! CASE1 ! HOSPI-
TAL WD H 6TE/ ! S"EAL PATI5TS & DOZ5S (
/AFF :O'D BE5 EXPOS$ 6HM1 WD H 6(F] PRE-
V5TIVE TR1T;T 6^? ^: TE/S TURN$
POSITIVE4                            #GD
  8,T'S ALL "R40
  8,HOPE;LLY WE C GET Y \ ( ISOL,N
SOON40
  8,Y ALL >E DO+ ! BE/ Y C10 HE SD4 ,HE
SEEM$ 9 NO HURRY 6MOVE AL;G4

  ,! NEXT MORN+ "! 0 A BUN* ( NEW BUSI;S
= ME 6ATT5D TO4 ,"! 0 A WOMAN F ,CLEVEL&
) HE>T FAILURE :O1 = R1SONS UN"KN1 SP5T
H] SUMM]S AT ! ,,YWCA %ELT] 9 D[NT[N
,S1TTLE4 ,"! 0 AN ELD]LY MAN :O BROKE 8
HIP & 0 "H =A REPAIR2 9 ! M1N"T HE NE$$
"S ASSI/.E ) 8 HE>T >RHY?MIA4 ,I _H TO
HU/LE "? R.DS 2C "! 0 A NOON"T FACULTY
MEET+1 S ,I BLEW "? MY VISIT )! PURPLE-
HAIR$ ,,HIV PATI5T4 ,ONLY Z ,I 0 WALK+ \
(! ROOM DID X O3UR 6ME T HE 0 N GETT+
BETT] 2C HE DIDN'T H AN 9FEC;N--HE _H
HE>T FAILURE4 ,I H1D$ BACK 9 6ASK A FEW
M "QS1 6TALK AB :AT 0 PROBABLY GO+ ON4
  8,T MAKES TOTAL S5SE1 MAN10 HE SD4 8,I
J DON'T FEEL L ,I H PNEUMONIA40
  ,!N ,I 0 BACK ON MY FEET & F9I%+ MY
CIRCUMNAVIG,N (! W>D1 & ON 96! "WROOMS 9
! CORE 6CRANK \ NOTES =! *>TS4       #GE
  ,AT ! M$ICAL /AFF MEET+ "! 0 LUN* 9 !
BACK (! ROOM3 L5TIL S\P &A GRE5 SALAD
OBSCUR$ 0A PILE ( %R$D$ *EESE4 ,AB FIFTY
P 7 S1T$ :5 ,I >RIV$1 MO/LY 9T]NI/S &
SURGEONS1 "S ( :OM 7 Q WELL "KN4 ,I RE-
CALL$ T "S (! DOCTORS _H BE5 MY ATT5D+S
FIVE & SIX YE>S AGO1 :5 ,I 0 A M$ICAL
/UD5T4
  ,A FEW M9UTES AF ! H\R1 A TALL MAN )
FUNKY GLASSES /OOD & CALL$ A QUORUM4 ,!
PR9T$ AG5DA ID5TIFI$ HM Z M$ICAL DIRECT-
OR ,DR4 ,SCOTT ,B>NH>T1 & ,I /UDI$ HM
CURI\SLY4 ,HE WORE A LI<T BLUE SILK TIE1
& 8 %IRTSLEEVES 7 ROLL$ UP1 Z ?\< HE'D J
-E F P]=M+ A BRON*OSCOPY 9 ! ,,ICU4 ,HE
AL _H ! BUILD (A =M] COLLEGE FOOTBALL
PLAY]4 ,HE ?ANK$ "EY"O = -+ & />T$ !
MEET+ 0SAY+1 8,DICT,NS >E KILL+ U40
  ,I GL.ED AT ! AG5DA ,I 0 CLUT*+ & SAW
T ! F/ ITEM 0 ! ELECTRONIC M$ICAL-RECORD
SY/EM T 0 6BE UNROLL$ OV] ! NEXT TWO
YE>S4 .,H[ .FASC9AT+1 ,I ?"\1 R1*+ = MY
PAG] 6SEE IF ,I _H MISS$ ANY CALLS E>LI-
]4 ,I _HN'T1 S ,I WOND]$ H[ L;G ,I WD
NE$ 6/AY1 FEIGN+ 9T]E/1 2F ,I CD     #GF
GET UP & L1VE4
  ,B ,SCOTT'S VOICE SURPRIS$ ME3 HE S.D$
K9D & PATI5T1 L ! SORT ( DOCTOR :O IM-
PLOR$ Y 6PL1SE CALL HM 0HIS F/ "N4 ,HE
2GAN 8 PIT* )! FACTS3 TRANSCRIP;NI/S
*>G$ ! HOSPITAL 2T 4#BJ & 4#DJ = E DIC-
TAT$ NOTE1 HE SD4 ,! L5G?Y "OS T ! M$I-
C9E RESID5TS (T5 P]=M$ 7 "PICUL>LY EXP5-
SIVE1 : M1NT T = UNSPONSOR$ PATI5TS--A
EUPHEMISM = PATI5TS )\T H1L? 9SUR.E--!
HOSPITAL 0 PAY+ T5S ( ?\S&S ( DOLL>S
YE>LY J 6KEEP RECORDS ( _! VISITS4
  ,! SOLU;N HE PROPOS$ 0 DRACONIAN3 DOC-
TORS WD H 6/>T TYP+ _! [N NOTES4 8,I
DON'T SEE T WE H ANO!R *OICE10 HE SD4 ,A
PREDICTA# MURMUR+ ERUPT$ 9 ! CR[D1 &
,SCOTT HA/5$ 6ADD T HE 0 US+ ! ELECTRON-
IC APPLIC,N HMF :5 HE ATT5D$ ON ! W>DS4
,HE ADMITT$ X 0 "T-3SUM+ UP FRONT4
  8,I'M N A V GD TYPI/10 HE NOT$4 ,HE
TRI$ 6SELL ! IDEA T X WD EV5TU,Y SAVE
"EYBODY "S "T1 & T X WD FACILITATE BILL-
+4
  ,A NURSE PRACTI;N] F ! ,,HIV CL9IC
ASK$1 8,WD Y RECOMM5D TYP+ LES-      #GG
SONS8 ,2C ,I'M TYP+ MY NOTES & X TAKES
ME ?REE OR F\R H\RS P] "D4 ,I F9I% AF MY
SON IS 9 B$4 ,IF WE RE,Y LOSE M"OY E "T
WE SEE A PATI5T1 MAYBE WE %D SEE FEW]
PATI5TS40
  ,SCOTT %IFT$ F FOOT 6FOOT4 ,SEE+ FEW]
UN9SUR$ PATI5TS 0 :AT PRIVATE PRACTI;N]S
DID2 X 0 A PRACTICE T1 AT L1/ 9 !ORY1
RAN 3TR>Y 6! HOSPITAL'S MIS.N4
  ,F9,Y HE SD1 8,H[ _M PATI5TS Y SEE IS
UP 6YR CL9IC DIRECTOR40
  ,DR4 ,NANCY ,SUGG1 :O RAN ! ,PIONE]
,SQU>E M$ICAL CL9IC =! HOME.S1 RAIS$ H]
H&4 ,%E WORE A KNEE-L5G? SKIRT & FLATS4
  8,I'M A CL9IC DIRECTOR10 %E SD4 8,%D
WE LIMIT ! NUMB] ( APPO9T;TS S P C TYPE
_! NOTES80
  ,SCOTT SD1 8,"S?+ 63SID] IS T .WE'RE
PAY+ :5 WE SEE _M ( \R PATI5TS40
  ,M]CI;LLY1 MY PAG] RANG4 ,I'D MADE AN
ADEQUATE %[ ( PROFES.NAL CITIZ5%IP1 ,I
DECID$1 & JUMP$ AT ! *.E 6DUCK \4 ,!
PAGE 0 F ,ALICE ,BR[N/E91 9 ! ,,ED1 :O
WANT$ ME 6-E ADMIT A WOMAN "ND ,CLAUDIA
,O',DONNELL4 ,%E 0 P]*$ AT ! $GE (   #GH
A GURNEY1 PU6+ AWAY AT ?IRTY "TS P] M9-
UTE :5 ,I >RIV$ A FEW MO;TS LAT]4 ,%E
SU6]$ F A *RONIC LUNG 4ORD] CALL$ BRON-
*IECTASIS1 : 9 "S PATI5TS CAUS$ FREQU5T
B\TS ( PNEUMONIA4 ,I 9TRODUC$ MYF & SD
,I WD 2 ADMITT+ H] 6! HOSPITAL4 ,%E
ROLL$ H] EYES BACK 96H] H1D & WAIL$1
8,NOOOO60
  ,I PO9T$ \ T %E 0 RCVG F\R LIT]S ( OX-
YG51 T H] OXYG5 LEVEL 0 M>G9AL1 & T H]
*E/ ;,X-RAY %[$ PNEUMONIA 9 TWO (! LOBES
( H] LUNGS4 ,/&>D M$ICAL C>E = ? DIAGNO-
SIS 0 9TRAV5\S ANTIBIOTICS1 &= ME 6S5D
H] HOME WD 2 MALPRACTICE1 ,I SD4 ,%E
/>T$ 6HYP]V5TILATE & CLUT* AT H] ?ROAT4
,%E 2GAN :EEZ+ AUDIBLY1 !N TOOK A DEEP1
3TROLL$ BR1?4
  8,MY F+]S >E NUMB10 %E SD1 & LAU<$
N]V\SLY4
  8,HELP ME "U/& :Y Y DON'T WANT 6BE
HOSPITALIZ$10 ,I SD4
  8,LA/ NI<T ,I ?"\ ,I 0 GO+ 6DIE40 ,%E
PAUS$ 9 2T H] DEEP BR1?S4 8,I'VE N"E
CALL$ #I-A-A 2F4 ,IF ,I G HOME "R N[--,I
DON'T "K4 ,I'M AFRAID ( T4 ,B ,I     #GI
DON'T H H1L? 9SUR.E4 ,I C'T AF=D 6BE
"H40
  ,%E 0 SELF-EMPLOY$ & "W$ Z A P]SONAL
*EF1 S %E CD 2 M SELECTIVE AB ! CLI5TS &
H\RS %E TOOK ON4 ,"O ( H] CLI5TS 0 A
DOCTOR :O _H REC5TLY PROVID$ H] )A
WEEK'S WOR? ( ANTIBIOTICS1 9 HOPES T H]
3DI;N WD TURN >.D4 ,%E TOLD ME %E KNEW X
WASN'T ! ID1L WAY 6G AB ?+S1 B %E FELT
%E %D GIVE X A %OT4 ,:5 H] 3DI;N /
DIDN'T IMPROVE1 %E _H ATTEMPT$ 6MAKE AN
APPO9T;T ) H] NURSE PRACTI;N]1 :O "W$ AT
A -MUN;Y H1L? CL9IC1 B _HN'T BE5 A# 6GET
9 QKLY 5\<4
  ..,AT L1/ ,CLAUDIA _H A PRIM>Y C>E
.PROVID]1 ,I ?"\4 ,%E 0 LUCKY 6LIVE
CLOSE 6A -MUN;Y H1L? CL9IC T PROVID$ GRT
M$ICAL C>E1 & : *>GE PATI5TS ON A SLID+
SCALE4 ,CLAUDIA SD %E TRU/$ H] PROVID]1
:O _H URG$ H] S"EAL "TS 6GET L9K$ 9 )A
LUNG SPECIALI/4
  8,%E SAYS %E'S 9 OV] H] H1D ) ME10
,CLAUDIA SD1 B %E SEEM$ F9E )! FACT T H]
NURSE PRACTI;N] 0 N A L1D+ BRON*IECTASIS
EXP]T1 & ?RILL$ 6BE A# 6GET M$ICAL   #HJ
C>E )\T DO+ MAJOR DAMAGE 6H] BANK A3.T4
  ,_H ,CLAUDIA SE5 A SPECIALI/1 X 0 POS-
SI# T %E WDN'T H GOTT5 S SICK1 B X AL
PROBABLY WDN'T H SAV$ H] ANY M"OY1 NOR
PREV5T$ ! HOSPITALIZ,N4 ,! *OICES %E
MADE W]5'T = LACK ( "U/&+ ( H[ S]I\S H]
41SE WAS1 ,I KNEW2 H] OLD] BRO!R _H DI$
F ! SAME 3DI;N F\R YE>S BACK1 & H] "F _H
DI$ F X ?IRTY YE>S E>LI]4
  ,9/1D1 %E _H BE5 GAMBL+ ON A SPONTANE-
\S RECOV]Y1 J L ! MILLIONS ( O!R UN9SUR$
PATI5TS 9 ,AM]ICA :O BET AG/ _! H1L?1 :O
DELAY$ PREV5TIVE C>E & H1L? MA9T5.E S]-
VICES 2C ( UPFRONT CO/S4 ,N[ %E 0 ON !
LOS+ SIDE (! BET & PU6+ AWAY 9 ! ,H>BOR-
VIEW ,,ED4 ,%E SEEM$ SC>$1 & %E SEEM$
/UCK4 ,9 A MON?1 %E WD 2 ! AGE H] BRO!R
_H BE5 :5 HE'D DI$1 & "! 7 LIMIT$ PROS-
PECTS = H] 6GET -M]CIAL H1L? 9SUR.E4 ,I
WOND]$ H[ L;G %E WD REMA9 H1L?Y 5 6"W4
  ,CLAUDIA 0 TYPICAL ( _M (! UN9SUR$ PA-
TI5TS ,I'D MET AT ,H>BORVIEW1 MO/ ( :OM
7 "W+ V H>D J 6GET BY4 ,CLAUDIA H]F 0
SELF-RELIANT & 5TREPR5EURIAL2 ! PRO#M 0
T %E "W$ = H]F4 ,9 FACT1 AB ?REE-    #HA
QU>T]S (! #DF MILLION UN9SUR$ & #AF MIL-
LION "U-9SUR$ 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES 7 "W+
ADULTS L ,CLAUDIA2 _M _H L[-PAY+ JOBS1 &
9 ,WA%+TON ,/ATE1 A SIGNIFICANT NUMB] _H
2COME UN9SUR$ :5 ! /ATE'S ,BASIC ,H1L?
PROGRAM DROPP$ _! COV]AGE1 DUE 6%R9K+
LEGISLATIVE FUND+4
  ,! H1L? C>E SY/EM 0 A BAD D1L NO MATT]
H[ Y SLIC$ X =! #FB MILLION P--OR "O-
FIF? (! ,U4,S4 POPUL,N--T _H DIM9I%$ AC-
CESS 6H1L? C>E1 : 9CLUD$ ANY"O ) 9ADE-
QUATE1 EPISODIC1 OR NO 9SUR.E4 ,^? ) NO
9SUR.E PD \ ( POCKET = ALL ( _! M$ICAL
C>E1 & :5 PATI5TS PD \ ( POCKET1 !Y 7
TYPIC,Y *>G$ /ICK] PRICE4 ,:AT 0 "PICU-
L>LY GALL+ AB ! PRIC+ SY/EM1 IF Y C.T$
YRF AM;G ! UN9SUR$1 0 T 9SUR.E -PANIES &
GOV]N;T AG5CIES RCVD DEEP 4C.TS ON A3.T
( _! PUR*AS+ P[]4 ,AN 9SUR.E -PANY1 =
EXAMPLE1 MI<T PAY 2T 4#ED & 4#GG =! *E/
;,X-RAY ,CLAUDIA _H GOTT5 9 ! EM]G5CY
DE"P;T--& ,M$ICAID MI<T PAY 4#DJ--B %E
P]SON,Y WD LIKELY 2 LIA# =! FULL 4#ABA4
,& !N "! 0 ! PRO#M T /ICK] PRICES 7 ALW
ON ! RISE1 S9CE ? 0 "O WAY = HOS-    #HB
PITALS 6REC\P ! DEEP 4C.TS4
  ,WA%+TON ,/ATE _H PASS$ A LAW REQUIR+
HOSPITALS 6*>GE PATI5TS ON A SLID+ SCALE
AC 6_! 9COME4 ,ONLY ^? :O E>N$ AT L1/
?REE "TS ! F$]AL POV]TY LIMIT WD H 6PAY
! FULL PRICE ( M$ICAL C>E4 ,= ,CLAUDIA1
A S+LE P]SON ) NO DEP5D5TS1 ?REE "TS !
POV]TY LEVEL 0 4#CA1DFD P] YE>1 : PRO-
VID$ "S CU%ION4 ,%D %E REQUIRE A WEEK'S
HOSPITALIZ,N1 ?\<1 ! BILL CD / WIPE \ A
SIGNIFICANT *UNK ( H] 9COME4
  ,I ASSUR$ ,CLAUDIA T ,I WD H ! F9AN-
CIAL C\NSEL+ FOLKS -E TALK ) H]4 ,! HOS-
PITAL 0 GD AB "W+ ) PATI5TS 6GET ! BILLS
SETTL$1 ,I SD4 ,L MO/ PATI5TS 6:OM ,I
PIT*$ ? IDEA1 ?\<1 ,CLAUDIA DID N LOOK
REASSUR$1 &! TRU? 0 T ,I DIDN'T RE,Y "K
:AT ! F9ANCIAL C\NSELORS CD D = H]1 :AT
FRAC;N (! BILL !Y WD ASK H] 6PAY4 ,X OC-
CURR$ 6ME T :AT"E *>ITA# DEDUC;N ! HOS-
PITAL MI<T PROVIDE = ,CLAUDIA WD J -E \
( :AT ANO!R PATI5T PD4 ,! :OLE SY/EM
SEEM$ V UNFAIR 6H]3 ! 9SUR.E -PANIES 7
*>G$ ! L1/--?\< !Y PD ! BILLS MO/
RELIABLY--:ILE ^? :O LACK$ 9SUR.E    #HC
B MADE TOO M* = GOV]N;T 9SUR.E (T5 RCVD
A :OPP+ BILL4 ,6TANGLE MATT]S FUR!R1 ,I
7L MO/ CL9ICIANS7 _H V LL IDEA :AT A BAG
( ,,IV FLUID CO/1 OR A C\RSE (! ANTIBI-
OTIC PIP]ACILL9-TAZOBACTAM1 OR A *E/
,,CT1 : ,CLAUDIA WD NE$ DUR+ H] /AY4 ,I
WOND]$ IF ,I DID "K ! PRICE ( E M$IC,N &
!RAPY1 :E!R ,I WD )HOLD /&>D C>E 2C ( H[
M* X WD CO/ ! PATI5T4
  8,S ,I'M GO+ 6WRITE ADMITT+ ORD]S80 ,I
3FIRM$4
  8,:AT C ,I D80 %E %RU7$4 8,MAYBE Y C
S5D ME HOME TM40
  8,T WD DEP5D ON :E!R Y FEEL BETT]4
,DON'T Y ?9K80
  ,CLAUDIA SI<$ & DIDN'T ANSW]4

  ,M>V'S TE/ RESULTS 7 WAIT+ UP/AIRS :5
,I F9,Y RETURN$ 6! W>D1 & HE 0 MAK+ 8 B$
:5 ,I CAME 96HIS ROOM SANS SPACE SUIT4
  8,I "K H[ BUSY X GETS =! NURSE10 HE
SD1 TUCK+ 8 %EETS "U ! MATTRESS4
  8,I H "S NEWS = Y10 ,I SD4 8,Y'RE N
9FECTI\S40 ,! SPUTUM SAMPLES %[$ T HE 0
N C\<+ UP TUB]CULOSIS1 T ! 41SE 0    #HD
3F9$ 6! FLUID >.D ! LUNGS4
  8,?ANK GOD60 HE SD4 ,HE SEEM$ G5U9ELY
RELIEV$4
  8,Y'LL H 6TAKE ANTIBIOTICS = N9E
MON?S4 ,Y C'T DR9K ALCOHOL :ILE Y'RE
TAK+ ^! ANTIBIOTICS1 2C ! -B9,N C DAMAGE
! LIV]40
  8,I'M D"O DR9K+60 HE SD4
  8,Y'LL NE$ A WAT] PILL = YR HE>T40
  8,T'S F9E60
  8,& H[ W Y QUIT DR9K+80
  8,I'M D"O4 ,I QUIT40
  8,D Y WANT 6D ,,AA8 ,I C ASK ! SOCIAL
"W] 6BR+ A LI/ ( ,,AA GR\PS & TR1T;T C5-
T]S40
  8,T WD 2 GD40
  ,I SD1 8,:AT WD RE,Y HELP Y IS A REGU-
L> DOCTOR40
  8,I W D :AT"E Y TELL ME TO10 HE SD4

  ,0! 5D (! WEEK ! S]VICE _H 2COME BUSY
5 T ,I DIDN'T NOTICE X :5 ,BILL ,JU/ICE
4APPE>$4 ,! F/ ,I HE>D ( X 0 :5 A NURSE
PAG$ 6SAY T HE _H 4CONNECT$ 8 ,,IV &
SEEM$ 6BE G"O1 & %E REM9D$ ME T HE   #HE
/ _H 8 C5TRAL L9E4 .,! .BA/>D1 ,I ?"\4
,I W5T = 8 :OLE /ORY AB 8 P>ALYZ$ FR4 ,I
0 ANGRY 2C (! CONUNDRUM HE PRES5T$3 IF
,I REFUS$ HM A L9E1 HE CDN'T GET *EMO!R-
APY4 ,IF ,I PLAC$ ! L9E1 HE _H AN 9/ANT
WAY 6GET HI<--& 6OV]DOSE4
  ,0! "T ,BILL RETURN$1 SOMNOL5T1 ,I 0
PURPLE 9 ! FACE4 ,I /RODE 96HIS ROOM ) 8
NURSE & SD1 8,I ?"\ WE 4CUSS$ H[ Y W]5'T
SUPPOS$ 6L1VE ! HOSPITAL40
  8,I W5T D[N =A SMOKE10 HE SD4 ,HE CD
B>ELY KEEP 8 EYES OP54
  8,F\R H\RS IS PRETTY L;G =A SMOKE40 ,I
SIGNAL$ 6! NURSE1 :O PU%$ A DOSE ( NAL-
OX"O 96HIS L9E1 A DRUG T REV]S$ OPIATES
S* Z H]O94 ,AB FIFTE5 SECONDS LAT]1
,BILL 0 SITT+ UP1 WIDE AWAKE4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80
  8,Y GOT ,N>CAN40
  8,:AT80
  8,X'S A DRUG T REV]SES ! E6ECT ( OPI-
ATES40
  ,HE />T$ 6LOOK MAD4
  8,WE _H A D1L10 ,I SD1 PULL+ ON GLOVES
& TE>+ OP5 A PACKAGE ( GAUZE4 ,I     #HF
SNIPP$ ! /IT*ES >.D 8 L9E1 TOLD HM 6BR1!
9 DEEPLY & !N BR1! \4 ,I PULL$ ! L9E 9 A
BRISK MOVE;T4
  8,:AT DID Y J D80 HE SD4
  8,Y'VE F9I%$ YR C\RSE ( *EMO!RAPY4
,WE'LL *ECK YR LABS 9 ! MORN+1 MAKE SURE
! ELECTROLYTES LOOK NORMAL1 MAKE SURE YR
C.TS >E ,,OK1 & !N Y C GET \ ( "H40
  8,I DIDN'T USE ANY?+60 HE EXCLAIM$4
  8,D Y WANT 6PROVE X80
  8,SURE40
  ,I H&$ HM A UR9E SPECIM5 CUP4
  8,OKAY1 ALL "R10 HE SD1 TURN+ UP 8
PALMS4
  8,I'M GO+ 6S5D Y 6SEE YR ONCOLOGI/ 9
CL9IC NEXT WEEK4 ,IF %E WANTS 6GIVE Y !
*EMO!RAPY P]SON,Y1 & TIE Y 6! RECL9] 9 !
9FU.N UNIT1 %E C D X40
  8,W[10 ,BILL SD4 8,W[4 ,T 0 RE,Y /UPID
( ME40
  8,Y1H4 ,! 4*>GE PAP]"W W 2 R1DY F/ ?+
9 ! MORN+4 ,IF Y NE$ A RIDE1 ,B>B W 2
HAPPY 6>RANGE "O = Y40
  ,LAT]1 :5 ,I TYP$ UP A SUMM>Y ( 8
HOSPITALIZ,N1 ,I R1LIZ$ ,I PROBA-    #HG
BLY DIDN'T H A LOT ( SYMPA?Y = HM 2C ,I
?"\ ,I KNEW ": HE CAME F4 ,HE 0 AN $U-
CAT$ P]SON1 ) OPPORTUNITIES T MO/ (! PA-
TI5TS N"E _H4 ,MAYBE ,I CDN'T SYMPA?IZE
2C ,I KNEW HE 0 RELATIVELY WELL-TO-D1 2C
,I KNEW HE _H ALL ! TOOLS HE NE$$ 6GET 8
ACT TGR4 ,MAYBE ,I SAW 8 DRUG A4IC;N
LESS Z A 41SE & M Z A P]SONAL FAILURE4
,? WASN'T ! SAME /&>D ,I APPLI$ 6O!R PA-
TI5TS4 ,I 0 FURI\S 2C WE 7 PROVID+ 8
C.ER TR1T;T FREE ( *>GE1 2C ! O!R HOSPI-
TAL PATI5TS WD PAY = 8 C>E1 & ,I 0 UP-
SET1 M ?AN ANY?+ ELSE1 T HE 0 UNAPPRE-
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