A WEEK

Eighty-six year old, “Mona”, suffers from melanoma that has spread to her bones. Mona lives with “Sonny”, her husband of sixty-six years. Five months ago, Mona was told that her cancer had spread. It was a rough week for the family, as three days prior, Sonny suffered a stroke.

Over the course of these past five months, Sonny has improved to where he is able to walk around without any devices and manage his own needs. Mona had been doing well for all of this time as well. Between the two of them, they easily managed most of their needs. Mona and Sonny have four adult children; although only two live nearby. Their daughter, “Debra”, has moved in to take care of them. Debra works as a school teacher, but typically can be home by mid afternoon. The family has hired help as well so that Mona and Sonny are only alone a few hours each day.

The two of them had been managing quite well until this past week. Mona wanted to live until Sonny’s 90^th birthday, which was five days ago. All of the family were able to attend the party which made quite a crowd. Mona spent most of the day in bed as she was not feeling well. Mona said that relatives would sit by her bedside throughout the day. She said it tired her out even more.

Mona would like to set another goal in the future to have something to look forward to, although spoke of how difficult this past week has been for her. She has never had the fear of dying, but still is not ready to go. With these new changes and decline, the reality of what is going on is starting to set in. Mona is getting tired, but not yet ready to let go. I only hope for her to be able to make it to her next goal.

ADDENDUM: Mona died peacefully 3 weeks later with her family at the bedside.


A WEEK
　

She had been in a slow decline,
but still able to easily get around.
Her goal was to enjoy his 90^th birthday.
That day has now come and gone.

This week has been a rough one for her.
She’s nauseas and doesn’t want to eat.
She is weak more often now.
She’s spending more time in bed.

She wants to look forward to an outing,
but those days are becoming less and less.
Things are changing so quickly now.
Her quality of life is fading fast.

She has no fear of dying,
but isn’t ready for it to come.
She has always been such a social person.
She’s isn’t ready to let go.

She has always faced life head on.
Not surprisingly, she’s handling this the same.
The reality of her decline is setting in.
“This week has been
         one bad day.”