CARDS

Fifty-six year old “Sandra” suffers from ovarian cancer. She was referred to hospice several months ago because her cancer had spread to her stomach. Sandra has been divorced for years and raised her two children alone. Sandra‘s twenty-eight year old son lives with her. Her daughter lives nearby with her husband and young daughter.

Both children are devoted to their mother. Sandra is still able to manage many of her needs, although is slowly declining and becoming weaker. She stays home alone while her son is at work. She has many visitors throughout each day as well as phone calls from family and her large network of friends. Sandra is a very social person with such a positive outlook on life. She says she doesn’t miss working, but does miss the social interaction that goes along with it.

I went out today to do a routine visit and Sandra shared how she had been so sick the previous week. She had been weak, nauseas and couldn’t keep anything down. In addition, her eyes have started to become painful where she has stopped reading for a while wanting to give them a rest. Sandra loves to read, but in her typical positive way, says that she can always get someone to read to her. She is doing much better this week. Sandra’s experience of last week steered our conversation about her dying. She is a Christian with a strong belief in God and the afterlife.

Sandra picked up a book from her nightstand and shared some of the words of wisdom from a few of the pages. The book focused on recognizing the bright side of life. Sandra cannot control having cancer, but she has all the control in how she deals with her disease. Sandra stated that she prefers her days to be good days. The book wrote about the positive aspects of playing the cards that you have been dealt.

Sandra has no fears about dying or the afterlife. Her positive attitude has guided her throughout her life and I have no doubt that she will continue to play all the cards that she holds in her hand.


CARDS


She has such a positive attitude.
She always prefers the bright side.
No matter what cards have been dealt,
she’ll continue to seek out the aces.

She feels life is like a deck of cards.
One must always play the ones in their hand.
You can never rely on what card is coming next,
so it is best to accept the ones that you have.

She has been dealt some bad cards in her life.
Things have not always been easy or smooth,
but she’ll carry on, present a smile,
and do the best that she can.

She wants the end of her life to be happy.
She hopes to enjoy the days she has left.
She wants to always be remembered with a smile,
not with, sadness, sorrow or regret.

Her convictions about life may be simple,
although I know her legacy will be great.
“Success is when you find joy in your life
by playing the cards you have been dealt.”