Hostage

Written by Dr. Fatima G Wilder

Today you held me hostage. Two hours of my life. Stranded. Stuck. I couldn’t do anything more than lay, still, staring. At you.

Examining your perfect eyelashes. Listening to the mouselike whimpers that escaped from your being every few minutes. Breathing in your sweet breath as our noses sat one inch away from each other. Feeling your warm chunky palm stroke my cheek every now and then. As if to remind me that even in your sleep you wanted me close. In my head, I ran through the list of things I was supposed to be doing. How my “vacation” was being sucked up with everything but what I needed to get done. As I lay there, almost cramping from laying so still for fear of waking you, it became clear...

When I am in my next 6 hour case. When I yet again have to miss bath time and bedtime. When I can’t be there to snuggle you the next time you are sick. I will think back on these two hours that you gifted me. And thank you silently for holding me captive. 1

Publisher: Dr. Marlene J. Wust-Smith, MD Editor in Chief: Alicia Roselli VP of Advertising: Pamela Ferman

Director of Art and Production: Ricardo Castillo Social Media Intern: Priscilla Contreras Contributing

Authors Paula H. Cookson LCSW, freelance writer, JR Hill, Dr. Nana Dadzie Ghansah, Susan Shannon, Dr. Jasmine Kudji., Kaylie Dudelson, Dr. Mercy Hylton, Dr. Mary Tipton, Dr. Saya Nagori, Grace Huang, Pamela Ferman, Dr. Seema Khaneja, Dr. Fatima G Wilder, Dr. Ashley Sumrall. Original Artwork: Dr. Dana Corriel, Dr. Saira Rahman, Dr. Chetna Singh

Published By “Physician Outlook Publishing” Editorial Policy Physician Outlook Magazine is a national magazine dedicated to empowering physicians and their patients to improve the world of medicine together. Editorial decisions are based on the editor’s judgement of the quality of the writing, the timeliness of the content and the potential interest to the readers of The Physician Outlook Magazine. The magazine may publish articles dealing with controversial issues. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and/or those interviewed and might not reflect the official policy of the magazine. Physician Outlook neither agrees nor disagrees with those ideas expressed, and no endorsement of those views should be inferred unless specifically identified as officially endorsed by the magazine. Letters to the Editor Email: aroselli@physicianoutlook.com Information on Advertising, Subscriptions, Job Board Email: hello@physicianoutlook.com “Physician Outlook is a registered trademark”