UNTIL NOW

“Shannon”, forty-seven years old, suffers from melanoma. She was diagnosed over three years ago. She had been doing quite well, until two months ago, when the doctors found that the cancer had spread to her brain.

Shannon lives with “Art”, her husband of twenty-two years. Shannon and Art have two teenage children; eighteen year old “Anthony” and sixteen year old, “Kayla”. Shannon has been on hospice for about three weeks, but today was the first time I met her as another social worker did the initial visit.

I found Shannon, in the backyard sun, sitting in her wheelchair. Her head was hanging forward and she was sound asleep. Her sister, “Nora” was sitting by her side. Nora is from out of town and is staying for the duration to help Art with Shannon’s care.

While Nora stayed by her sister, Art and I sat nearby to talk. Art said that Shannon had taken a sudden downturn five days ago. She has few lucid moments now and is eating very little. He said the family all had believed that Shannon would one day recover from her cancer. It has just been a few weeks that they all have become aware of the truth and have started to grieve.

While we were talking, Anthony walked out and sat down with us. When I asked Anthony how he was coping, he so eloquently started to share his emotions. He added that playing sports help him cope as he can then escape for a little while. Anthony was aware of what he was feeling and knew what he needed to do; something many adults often struggle with. He stated some concerns he had about his sister. I asked him what his concerns were and he shared that Kayla has always kept her emotions in check. Anthony’s father then stated, “I never knew that.”

Anthony is such a wise, old soul in a young man’s body. He has always and, I have no doubt, will continue to teach all of us.


UNTIL NOW
　

He’s tall, he’s lanky.
Dressed in sweatshirt and jeans.
A typical teenage kid?
He is not typical at all.

His mother’s been sick for a few years.
She has had her ups and downs.
She would always be able to bounce back;
       until now.

She has taken a downward turn.
It’s obvious she likely has just a week or two.
These past few days have been hard on them all.
Emotions overflowing.

He has such amazing insight;
not just of himself but others around.
He will easily tell you how he feels
using words that effortlessly flow.

He is grieving, he is coping.
He is doing what he needs to do.
He and his dad have deep conversations.
He’s the one who guides his father along.

He expresses his concerns about his younger sister.
She has always held her emotions in check.
His father had never been aware of that,
       until now.

He spoke of what would help her.
He spoke of what their mother needs.
Wise words coming from an old soul;
who just turned
              eighteen.