VIRCHOW’S TRIAD
Virchow could never get much rest on his hospital bed.
His son was next to him in a chair resting his head on Virchow’s hand.
Virchow saw how his own IV ran parallel to the strands of his son’s hair.
He smiled at the two things keeping him alive.
He stroked his only son’s head
His son squinted to look up
“You’re awake,” his son said
“One more day,” Virchow replied
Virchow felt something drip down his hand.
He wiped his son’s tears away.
“Dad, what will I do when it’s not one more day?”
Virchow paused to think.
“No matter happens to me...
This second is followed by another second.
The Sun will move from the east, and after a long day’s work, it will rest its head
on the moon.
Every step forward you make when I’m gone will be the greatest step for all
mankind because you moved when nothing else seemed possible.
And when you move forward, the whole world will move with you.
They say faith like a mustard seed can move mountains.
And tomorrow, if I’m gone you will muster the strength to open your eyes and
to see those mountains quake.
Look at how every bit of anatomy coordinates within my body to allow my heart
to beat one more time to tell you these three things.
1. Others will hurt and they will cause injury - forgive them.
2. You will have factors that will occlude your path, but
3. In times of stasis, do all you can to keep moving.”
—Elizabeth Aziz, OMS I
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