A Broken Heart

I had a patient today who was born with a bad heart. She is 4 years old and had to have surgery. Her cardiologist said that her heart was the worst he's ever seen. She is neurologically intact and appears healthy. Talking to her was like talking to every other 4 year old I have met. But she has been told that she cannot run or jump or exert herself in any way. Her heart would give out and she may die. CANNOT RUN OR JUMP! Anyone who has seen a 4 year old run and jump and play would probably agree that it is one of the happiest things ever. It is hard to imagine a child's life with those restrictions.

This evening I was sitting on the floor playing with my own children. We were laughing so hard, and then I thought of my patient. Tears suddenly welled up in my eyes as I thought that even laughing this hard might kill my patient. It just broke my heart as I cuddled my children a little harder.