Hospice Portraits Blog
Special Someone
Once a week, Bernice whispered to me in a giggle, “did you know that I am engaged to be married in three weeks?” Well into her 90’s, she consistently fell in love with the male caregivers at the dementia unit where she lived, the same three 20-something good-humored guys. Bernice would bat her eyes, look all shy and offer her …
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Spiritual Distress
With a new terminal diagnosis, a disruption in priorities, beliefs and values often follows suit. After the initial shock quickly wears off, the terminally ill (and families) often contemplate the purpose and meaning of their lives. Some contemplate with rage why they are suffering. The dying have expressed anger towards God, they can feel abandoned. Good people suffer, and they …
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Geraldine Graduated from Hospice
Geraldine was admitted to hospice because her primary care doctor thought that given her condition she probably wouldn’t be alive in six months. This is the criteria for admission for anyone. Geraldine had lost quite a bit of weight over three months, was falling a few times a week and was sleeping most of the day away. According to her …
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Waiting to Die
Sal’s cardiologist told him his medications were no longer working, and at 97, heart surgery was out of the question. His doctor also suggested that his implanted defibrillator be turned off and he allow hospice to step in. Sal was thrilled. He was done living, but his body wasn’t; he could hang on for a few more months or more. …
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Laughter is Good Medicine
Bob’s oncologist gave him up to 14 days to live; his bi-weekly blood transfusions were no longer effective at keeping him from severe debilitating fatigue. Bob had the sense of humor of a healthy man and an upbeat acceptance of his prognosis as if he had a whole life ahead of him. Bob chuckled, “Well, I never have to do …
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Leap of Faith
Early one morning in 1930, when Carl was 14, he left his mother a note before jumping on his horse and riding out West to realize his dream of being a cowboy. Dear Ma, I’m going to Montana.I have the money I got for Christmas. My books are under aunts porch. I know I will make good. I prayed all …
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I love you, eat
Verla couldn’t eat the chicken soup her daughter Darlene made special from scratch; she choked with each weak attempt at swallowing. So Darlene drew up the broth in a syringe (meant for pain medication) and dripped it into her dying mother’s mouth, slowly, one drop at a time. As I walked in, I heard an exasperated Darlene say, “I love …
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Advocating for Anna
Sweet Anna fell out of her wheelchair and broke her hip reaching for her pillow that fell on the floor. She developed a horrible infection after surgery that spread through out her body. She was in horrible pain and was not expected to live through the week. Her son didn’t want us to use anything stronger than Tylenol, he was …
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Las Vegas
Edna wanted to go to Las Vegas and spend her money on the slots and then take in “one of those shows with naked ladies wearing feathered head dresses” because “the place will be crawling with available men.” So we planned a fabulous trip to Las Vegas, where money was no object. Edna just turned 95 and had been happily …
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Tough Exteriors
I could barely fit through the door of the vintage silver Airstream camper permanently parked behind a hedge of poplar trees by the river. Cheryl ‘s queen sized bed took up half the space inside. A big bed is what Cheryl wanted, her dear friend Earl saw to it that she got everything she needed, she was dying from pancreatic …
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