I AM NEVER ALONE

Seventy-seven year old, “Randall” suffers from gastric cancer. He is confused due to dementia. He has declined recently to where he is bedridden, eating very little and dependent with all of his needs. Randall is widowed and lives with his adult son, “Ted”. Ted is currently unemployed and is available to care for his father. “John”, a friend of Ted’s, has come to help out and plans on staying for a few weeks.

Randall has many bed sores and his care is a challenge for anyone. Randall’s primary need is his wound care. The hospice nurse visits frequently to attend to those wounds. Ted is overwhelmed and struggles in caring for his father. Ted spoke with our hospice nurse yesterday and decided it was time for his father to move to a skilled nursing facility for wound care.

As Ted was not available when I called, I spoke with John yesterday regarding placement and gave him a lot of information to share with Ted. The hospice nurse was making a visit this morning. I tagged along as I had not heard back from Ted. I thought it would be a good time to meet Ted in person to speak with him about nursing home placement, finances and the process.

When the nurse and I arrived at the home, we knocked on the door and window with no answer. We tried calling the house number and could hear the phone ring from inside, but, again, no answer. We had concerns about Randall as he was not safe to be alone. By coincidence, Randall’s granddaughter happened to be visiting someone next door and saw the two of us outside her grandfather’s home. She gave us a lot of background information that verified what we had been thinking about as our next step. We called the police department for assistance with a welfare check. When the police came, they helped the granddaughter climb through an unlocked window. We found Randall sleeping inside. John had fallen into a deep sleep in the back bedroom. He said that he had been up for over twenty-four hours caring for Randall.. John thought Ted was watching Randall and wasn’t aware that Ted wasn’t home.

Things worked out well as Randall was sent to the Emergency Room for assessment of his wounds. From there, he will be able to transfer to a Skilled Nursing Facility for the care he needs. Family often do better as sons and daughters than caregivers. It is always best for all when that happens.

This is just another reminder, that reaffirms to me, that I am never alone. I trust and know that when coincidences happen, the outcome will be perfect. It was by chance that Randall’s granddaughter just happened to be outside visiting her mother-in-law next door. This story is just another example at how amazing our higher power can be. How blessed I am to play a part


I AM NEVER ALONE

　
It occurred again today.
She just happened to be nearby.
She saw us standing at his front door.
No response from inside.

We were concerned that he was alone.
He is bedridden, confused and dependent.
She was able to give us a lot of background.
Facts that enabled us to help him quickly.

Coincidences happen often in this job.
Perfect words just popping into my head.
Running late, but getting there at the perfect time;
randomly calling someone, who needed help now.

There is a higher power continually by my side.
Directing me to where I need to go;
instructing me in what I need to say.
Perfection in the words and in the timing.

I am guided from up above.
I believe and follow my heart.
I trust and just flow with it.
Thank God,
       when I do
              this blessed work,
                     I am never alone.