Thirty-six year old, "Emily", was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. Three weeks ago, she was hospitalized due to a rapid decline. Emily's doctors told her, at that time, that the treatment was no longer working and that there was no further treatment options available. Emily's roommate of eight years, told her not to come back home as she could not handle what was happening. Emily thought at the time, "I have no place to die." Fortunately, Emily has many friends. One friend offered her home to Emily and was available to care for her as well.
The hospice nurse and I went out to admit Emily to our program. Emily was so straight forward and matter-of-fact. She shared some stories of her life about her travels and other adventures. She had no regrets as said she has had a full life. She said she is not ready to leave her loved ones, but accepts her situation.
She is an amazing thirty-seven year old. It is obvious that she packed a full life in those three and a half decades. She has accepted what is happening and is dealing with things in a very practical way. She is a perfect example of people dying the way they live. I wish her well.
Addendum: Emily got her wish and died one week before Christmas.
A PRACTICAL GAL
She is matter of fact and practical.
She handles things as they come.
Willingly accepting what life presents.
She has always been this way.
Once her cancer reappeared,
her roommate said don't come back.
The doctors give her little hope,
"I need a place to die."
She is mature beyond her thirty-six years.
She says her life has been full.
Her only fear is leaving her loved ones.
She's not sure about afterlife.
She is declining daily.
She told us she is ready to go.
She likely will get her wish,
"I want to die before Christmas".
She'll die the way she lived;
on her terms and in her time.
Accepting, no-nonsense, matter-of-fact.
She truly is,
a practical gal.
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