I am about to share with you what was probably one of the most emotional moments in my career.

My patient was in his early 60's and had married a woman considerably younger. This was his first marriage and they now had a 3 month old baby. His wife shared with me that this baby was his world. But now he lay in the hospital suffering from a massive heart attack. His heart was failing, his kidneys were failing and his lungs were filling with fluid. He was pale and diaphoretic. Multiple IV's were infusing with drugs to optimize the functioning of his heart. A special line called a Swan Ganz catheter measured his cardiac output. It was just a matter of time. I did everything I knew to try to make him more comfortable. I wrapped him in a warm blanket and asked if there was anything else I could do. He opened his eyes and looked at me. His eyes filled with tears as he said "I just want to see my baby". I felt a lump in my throat and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. How could I possibly tell him that we do not allow children under the age of 12 to visit? I rested my hand on his head... he closed his eyes and a tear rolled down his cheek.

Was that too much for this man to ask? I spoke with my supervisor... I pleaded... please let me have his wife bring the baby in the room... this is all he asks... he doesn't have much time...

The decision was made and I asked his wife to bring the baby in. I laid a clean white towel on his chest over the wires and monitor leads. She gently laid the baby on his chest and he wrapped his arms around his baby. Need I say that there was not a dry eye amongst the staff as we stood just outside of the door. My patient and the baby both fell asleep while the IV's dripped and the minutes ticked away. During that period of time he appeared at peace. His wife took the baby back to the waiting room. A few hours later... he died.