I’m going home.

Today, after 7 days away from my family, I’m going home.

I could have gone earlier, if I had to, or not come at all.

I’m free.

But unfortunately not everyone can do it.

Some are not allowed at all. By politics, by their families or even by their own lives.

I travel for work. I love what I do most of the times, that’s why I have been doing it for the last 13 years.

And maybe because it’s the only job I know how to do.

But being a nurse sucks.

It’s not nice at all. And this week was no good.

What to do when your patients ask you if they can fly back to Australia to see their family?

What do you say when they ask you if they are going to be around when their grandchildren are born?

How can you give reassurance when they say “I’m going to get better, won’t I”?

What do you say when they ask you if they are less yellow today than they were yesterday?

You know the truth, but you don’t tell. You smile and tell a joke.

They will never get a flight back to Australia.

They will not meet their grandchildren.

They will not get better.

The yellow will not go away.

They don’t want to talk about it. But they know. I see it in their eyes, every time I hold their hands.

But yesterday I had to say goodbye, my week is over.

I don’t know how their next days are going to be.

But they know.

I’m going home.