God, will you care for my brother?

[Stephen Whiteside]

An interventional cardiologist was introducing himself to us at work this morning, and it got me thinking about my old days as a young doctor at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.


God, will you care for my brother?

Stephen Whiteside 29.06.2012

God, will you care for my brother?
I don't have another, you see.
He's limp and he's pale and he's blue,
But he's very important to me.

He's only been born for a week.
They say that his heart has a hole.
He'll die if it cannot be mended.
He's terribly sick, the poor soul.

Daddy looks terribly worried.
Mummy has shed many tears.
I don't want to lose him so quickly.
I want him to live many years.

They tell me the doctors are clever.
They say that he should be all right.
It's hard to believe they can fix him.
It keeps me awake all the night.

It doesn't seem fair that a baby
Should face as much trouble as this.
His skin felt so sweaty and cold
When I bent down to give him a kiss.

There's nothing I'd not give to save him;
My toy cars, my old teddy bear.
Could you just send me some signal
To show that you do really care?

Please, God, take care of my brother,
And help his bright spirit break free.
It might seem a small thing to you,
But he means the whole world, God, to me.

[Heather]

That is a beautiful poem Stephen and it sounds like it comes from a child.

I went to primary school with a girl who had a hole in the heart and died. It was my first experience of death (apart from pets). I haven't forgotten her - Christine. She was maybe 8 years old.

Heather

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Heather.

[Dave Smith]

Stephen Mate that’s just great (no funny little shot at this one) just a few tears.
A bit close to home for us, I do like the way you write and your sentiment.

Cheers Dave.

[Maureen K Clifford]

A heartfelt plea that resonates down through the years Stephen and no doubt one that is echoed many times over. Just beautiful and with new medical improvements and techniques being made every year one that hopefully in years to come will no longer be a major issue

Cheers

Maureen

[Stephen Whiteside]

No worries, Dave. Thanks Dave, Maureen.

[Dennis N O'Brien]

Nice one Stephen.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Dennis.