The Slag Review

Marisol
 
the Port-a-Cath installation obliterated denial
though you tried not to resemble a patient
the first transfusion bloomed a crimson corsage across your shirt
Dx             Anemia, Spring Summer Fall
Hibiclens, sterile field, mask, gloves
three times round with alcohol swabs, three times povo-iodine
from needle hub into practiced finger-paint spirals for a dressing change
T.I.D. (three times a day) coaxed toward self sufficiency
now the nurse appears at our door a few times a week for vitals, blood draws,
to remove and replace the used huber needle
Dx              CMV Retinitis, Winter Spring Summer
hang the hydration bag, prime the set,
swab the needleless access, the blunt cannula
flush the huber, swab again and connect
 
the song of the infusion pump will drone the next three hours
T.I.D. every day six days a week for god knows how long
 
the alarm sings there's air in the line
the alarm sings hang another bag
the alarm sings Nessun Dorma
Dx              Retinal Detachment, Fall Winter Spring
 
you tango the I.V. stand round every room
--you could roll it down the walkway and stroll the grounds
but you don't
 
your good eye numbers your days with Telenovelas in syndication
 
in back to back semesters we study medicine and law
new drugs, new treatments, new procedures
health care proxies, living wills, DNR's
we learn which docs, which nurses, would as well let us die
 
thank god, the chaplain no longer visits
the counselor at the clinic finds you in seizure
I want to reassure her
this happens all the time but she's already 911’d
 
E.M.T. Rescue lifts you as if you were made of air
they strap you down to keep the heavens from reclaiming you
I follow deep in the wake of sirens
Dx:             Seizures and Fevers of Unknown Origin, Summer Fall Winter
 
we hang I.V. bags from the clothes hook in the back seat
and drive an odd weekend anywhere but here
it takes a while to realize they prefer you sedated
when you separate the Atavan from the pills they proffer
they inject your I.V. instead
Dx              PCP Pneumonia, Spring Summer Fall
 
a familiar nurse pretends she's our concierge
Welcome sirs, your usual suite is prepared,
and how long will...
 
she recoils from her own jest when she comprehends
the skin and bone of you
Dx              Cryptosporidian, Winter Winter
 
they no longer ask me to leave
your sisters smuggle nieces and nephews
your Momma smuggles iguana soup
 
the doctors have given up; they admit this in code
We'll make him as comfortable as we can
Dx                                                                                           ,Spring