"We Can't Kill Your Mother" and Other Stories of Intensive Care
by Lawrence Martin, M.D.
Table of Contents

NOTE: "We Can't Kill Your Mother" and Other Stories of Intensive Care can be downloaded in its entirety as an e-book from 1st Books Library ($4.95). The book can also be ordered in trade paperback format for $13.50. For purchasing the e-book or print versions, please go to 1st Books Library and enter part of the book's title or the author in their search engine. Below are the first few paragraphs of CALL NASA!

"You asked them WHAT?" My voice was raised in mock anger. I wanted to show the housestaff on morning rounds in the ICU that Dr. Howard Stine's question was unacceptable. Shortly after admitting an 88-year-old man with pneumonia the intern had posed a certain question to the patient's son and daughter.

"I asked them," Dr Stine repeated, 'Do you want us to do everything for your father?'"

"And what did they say?"

"They said yes."

"I see." I waited a few seconds for someone to offer comment. Dr. Stine was far from the first neophyte physician to ask such a silly question, and he surely wouldn't be the last. Instead of responding, everyone on rounds two interns, a senior resident, two nurses looked past me in the direction of the patient, Jack Smilovsky. We were standing outside his room and sliding glass doors made him easily visible from the hallway.

I knew what the housestaff were thinking. 'Well, it's probably not a good idea for Mr. Smilovsky to receive too much heroics, but if that's what his family wants, what are you going to do?'

"Barbara, what do you think of Howard's question?" Barbara Milo, the resident on the case, had rounded with me many times and knew my feeling about this recurring problem. Barbara is quick-witted and able to display the right amount of sarcasm when appropriate. Turning to Howard, with her head cocked slightly toward the patient, she went right to it.