BLESSED

I went out to open a new patient to hospice today. “George”, sixty-eight, suffers from prostate cancer that has spread to his bone. He is now bed bound due to weakness. He is eating very little at this time. He needs help with all of his needs and cannot be left alone.

This puts a huge burden on his wife, “Mary”. Mary is sixty-five and still works the night shift cleaning up offices in a nearby sports complex. She loves her job and hopes to be able to continue to work through George’s illness and decline.

Mary and George have five children; three of whom live out of state. Two handicapped adult children reside in the home with their parents. Mary also takes care of them, which is quite demanding on her causing anxiety and stress. Mary gets overwhelmed easily because of the demands on her. Her son, “Trevor“, twenty-nine, is autistic, while her daughter, “Kelly”, thirty-six, suffers from schizophrenia. Kelly is able to watch her dad while Mary is at work. Mary works nearby and if Kelly calls she can be home in about ten minutes.

One daughter, “Ronnie”, who lives out of state, is visiting for a week helping her mom. There is a lot of paperwork that needs attending and Mary is so thankful for Ronnie’s help. Ronnie shared that her two other sisters hope to be able to visit soon.

I assisted Mary with some financial paperwork. In addition, I validated the demands on her as the primary caretaker for three of her family members. She shared that she so appreciated the help that I gave her today. It was then when she spoke about how difficult my job must be. I thought the same thing about her and how challenging her life must be.

Looking at all that is on Mary’s plate and what she is responsible for, made me think that my job is not difficult at all. Yes there are difficult moments in my workday at times, but the blessings that I receive each and every day are priceless. I was in awe that she looked at what I did for a living to be difficult. Many of us could never do what she faces on a daily basis. She is an inspiration.


BLESSED
　

She asked how do I do the work that I do?
She wanted to know how it was.
It must be so sad at times.
It must really be tough.

Most feel that it is like the loss of a loved one
since that is all that most of us know.
The deep pain of such a tremendous hit.
The intense grief that follows us all.

I do grieve hard when it is personal;
when it is someone I love.
I, like them, don’t know what to do.
I struggle with what to say.

But in my work, this question is frequent
and my response is always the same.
I am sure it is not what many would imagine.
Most are amazed that we can do it at all.

She thanked me for all of my help today.
She said “One day you will be blessed.”
I replied, “I am blessed each and every day”.
And so we are.