Grady, baby.

On the way into rounds yesterday morning at Grady.

Recap of rounds at Grady


Someone smoked but now they have a bad cancer. One that can't be cured because it is too advanced.

Someone has a weak heart muscle that is too damaged to even respond to our standard medicines. We are trying something non-standard and hoping it will work.

Someone loves to drink sweet tea but can't eat by mouth anymore. Which left me thinking about things like coffee and red wine, both of which bring me joy when I take them by mouth.

Someone has a chronic illness but has no family to "see about" them. No balloons or cards will be there because there is no person anxious for them to get out of the hospital.

Someone drank a lot of alcohol and is now in intensive care. Maybe they will quit but maybe they won't be able to do it just yet.

But.

Someone proudly told me that she was a "Grady baby"--the proud distinction of those born in this hospital.

Someone was smiling with gleaming gold teeth while giving me fist bumps.

Someone was laughing, loud and hearty for no reason other than just exuberance.

Someone was singing, too. Not really able to even carry a tune, but still with a song on his lips.

And someone held my hand today and said, "Thank you, Miss Manning." No. Not Dr. Manning, but Miss Manning. Another proud distinction unique to Grady that you'd have to be here to understand.


Joy, pain, sunshine and rain. Each of these a reality and all of them necessary pieces of this dream called Grady.

***
Happy Monday. I am on wards and this is Grady, baby.