DEVIL'S WORK

Sixty-nine year old "Joyce" was diagnosed with metastatic brain cancer five months ago. Since that time she has declined rapidly. Joyce is able to get around easily, but the decline is with her reasoning and understanding. Her cancer has spread throughout her brain leaving her angry and mistrustful of her family.

The family are Seventh Day Adventists and their faith has been a large part of their life. Joyce played the organ in the church and taught piano lessons. Her daughter, "Jill", says that mom played classics so beautifully. Joyce would compose her own pieces with ease. So much came easy to her. She excelled in most everything she attempted to do.

Jill lives about an hour away and tries to visit several times each week. Joyce's husband, "Louis", wants to care for his wife at home, but is aware that her behavior is getting to be more than he can manage.

The hospice nurse and I went out together to open Joyce to our hospice program. She was distrustful of the nurse and I. In addition, Joyce kept trying to tell us how her family is telling lies about her. Hopefully new medication will ease Joyce's paranoia.

The family's strong faith gives them strength. They believe that this is the devil's work and that they have to accept this fate.


DEVIL'S WORK

She was a gifted musician.
Gourmet cooking was her forte.
She excelled in everything she attempted to do.
Success was the name of the game.

Now she struggles to understand.
She wonders why her family has turned.
She believes they are out to get her,
not aware that the cancer has invaded her brain.

The cancer has stolen her understanding,
her trust and the love she once easily gave.
Now she is anxious, suspicious and scared.
Not much of her old self remains.

They have a strong faith in God.
Their faith has always pulled them through.
They feel this truly must be the devil's work.
There is no other way to explain.

They'll continue to care for her.
They'll continue to give her their love.
They'll pray and ask God for guidance,
while trying to comprehend the cruelty
of the devil's work.