Patients are people, not just a diagnosis or a room number. Heard that enough over the years. All I know, is that a diagnosis wouldn't intentionally try to sputum-bomb me as I entered the room; only a miserable human could do that.

Sucking Neck

I have a sucking neck wound
A cavernous hole in my trach,
It collects all the purulent pus
Until it produces a lake,
I call on my nurse for assistance
And wait till he comes to the door,
Then I cough with agressive abandon
In an attempt, to settle my score.

Fibril_late; 3/94