Prose: "Autopsy Report"

Autopsy Report

Pheobe Fuller, Class of 2025

SUMMARY OF CLINICAL HISTORY:

The patient was a 19 year old Caucasian female with no history of any life-altering conditions.

EMS was called to the patient’s apartment complex by another resident in the building, who

claims they heard suspicious noises. Upon EMS arrival, the patient was tachypneic at nearly 50

breaths per minute, was visibly crying, and unable to speak. At the scene, EMS administered

jokes about females being sensitive and overdramatic, even diagnosing her with “teenage girl

syndrome.” The patient self-administered a fresh box of tissues and boygenius’ music.

DESCRIPTION OF GROSS LESIONS:

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION: The body had clear indications of previous self-inflicted wounds

on the left forearm, both thighs, and both buttocks. The wounds are presumed to be over one year old. There are deep, natural bruises on both shins and thighs. Light scars can be seen on the patient’s arms, inflicted by a cat, Cane, and a dog, Goose. Similar scars appear on the patient’s back and shoulders caused by two cats: Cane and Tallulah.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION (BODY CAVITIES): Not applicable.

HEART: The heart’s chordae tendineae have been stretched thin. Still, the patient’s heart is larger than average. The aorta, arteries, and veins are thin, worn from pumping more blood than average due to the patient’s constant heightened heart rate.

LUNGS: The lungs are enlarged, indicating eccentric deep breaths. The bronchi are irritated.

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: The stomach is normal in appearance, yet contains a

concerningly minimal amount of food and an equally concerningly abundant amount of mucus.

The esophagus is irritated from repeating the same words over and over, with nobody

understanding them. The liver has more fat than average for a 19 year old female, indicating the

overconsumption of alcohol. The gallbladder is compacted with bile resembling swallowed

words.

RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM: The spleen is grossly normal. The patient has enlarged

lymph nodes which, in conjunction with other symptoms, indicates the patient was fighting the

infectious feeling of responsibility to hold the weight of the world.

CLINICOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATION:

The autopsy revealed evidence of a sorely misunderstood human being, lacking reciprocated

love, and pressuring themself to be the perfect person. This created a high pressure situation that, theoretically, nobody in the world could handle.

SUMMARY:

The patient had the resources to get help, such as friends, family, work, hobbies, nature, tea,

music, sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. Ultimately, the patient was blindsided by the

impossible personal expectation to be perfect. Perhaps if EMS hadn’t used the term “teenage girl syndrome” in a derogatory manner, it could have been an accurate diagnosis.

Judges Notes:

“I love stories that take risks and land every image. And yet it must connect with the reader. No easy feat. This story impressed me with its ability to build sustained emotion through a clinical autopsy report. We’re left with heartache for a girl who’s gone too soon, who tried to find

connection with others in an unconnected world. That lack of connection and understanding is something I think most of us wrestle with, and I think this is why this story hits so hard. Every word packs a punch and lingers with you.”