OPTIMIST

Seventy-five year old "Dotty" suffers from dementia due to multiple bleeds into the brain. She has been on hospice for over eighteen months. Recently she has been improving and it is likely that we will discharge her from our program as she no longer meets the criteria for being terminal.

Her husband, "Dennis", is a retired pediatrician with an amazing, positive outlook on life. He laughs very easily over their life's circumstances even though he is totally aware of the dire situation with his wife. Dotty is unable to walk and spends most of her days in the recliner in their family room. She is totally dependent with all of her needs.

Due to her confusion, Dennis is unable to carry on any meaningful conversation with her. One can see the sweetness of Dotty's personality, although she can anger easily due to her frustrations. That anger passes quickly as she can be easily distracted. No matter what the situation, Dennis can laugh about it and turn it into something positive. His love is that deep.

Eighteen months ago, when I called their home to set up my first appointment, all I had heard was that the husband was a retired physician. After that initial conversation, I turned to my co-worker and said, "I bet he is a pediatrician." Dennis has such a charming personality, it was easy to predict.

Any time a hospice team member would visit, we would find a post-it note, with our individual name on it, located near the doorbell. Under our name Dennis added, "Come on it." They are the cutest couple and I am going to miss them.


OPTIMIST

No matter what the situation;
no matter how hard the day,
he'll always see the positive,
no matter what the case.

He is a diehard optimist.
His cup always half full.
He laughs so easily at himself
and the world around.

Even with her illness,
he can easily make her laugh.
He'll tease and share his day with her,
even though she's so confused.

She mixes reality with faded memories.
Her stories don't make sense.
But you know he won't let it get him down
as he twists it in a positive spin,

"She writes the best fiction."