Today I went to the hospital for my Wed. visit of patients. I got there and went to one of the four patients I was assigned to. Well because of US law (Google "HIPAA" to find out more), the staff couldn't tell me anything explicity, but the message was nonetheless clear: he did not make it to see the sunset today. So, I have lost one, as it were. I also went to see another fellow, a WWII vet, and found out he had been moved to a local hospital's emergency care unit. Well that's better than finding out he had suddenly died, but being he is almost 90 and in need of hospital-like attention even without any other problems arising, I fear he will last much longer.

Well, I better get used to it, if I am going to be anywhere in elder- and palliative-care. Nonetheless, it's a huge downer. :(