"BE HAPPY"

Fifty-five year old “Johnny, was diagnosed with bile duct cancer one month ago. The cancer had already spread to several other organs. Johnny started chemotherapy, but the treatment made him extremely ill. Johnny chose quality of life over quantity and stopped the treatment.

Johnny lives alone in the home where he was raised. His grandfather built the home one hundred years ago. The home has a lot of character, as it has many of its original cabinets, doors and charm.

Johnny is very close to his brother, “Mitch”, and daughter-in-law, “Heather”. Mitch and Heather plan on moving in to be able to give Johnny twenty-four hour care when needed. Mitch is a handyman and woodworker. While showing me around the home, Mitch would get excited while explaining how he was going to take that wall out or put an arch here.

Johnny, Mitch and Heather are very close as Mitch has always looked out for his younger brother. Johnny told us how he wasn’t educated and got poor grades in school. Johnny had this innocence about him, but he was so endearing. He appreciated everything in his life saying how he is so blessed.

Johnny has always been happy his life. He feels it is a choice one makes. Johnny did struggle with school and looks to his brother for help in any decisions that need to be made. When we spoke about Johnny’s wishes regarding end-of-life decisions, he would turn to Mitch for help and advice.

Even with these struggles, Johnny always had a smile. I loved his unconditional, positive belief about life. Many adults could learn a lot from him. Johnny does life so well.


"BE HAPPY"
　
The first thing one notices
is his big, easy smile.
Gladly welcoming you into his home;
making sure you are comfortably sitting down.

One also notices his quizzical look
when talking about our program.
He cannot seem to grasp things;
looking to his brother for help.

He says, “I’m not educated.
I got D’s and F’s in school.”
Reading does not come easy,
but he takes these things in stride.

He shares how his grandma had them all pray.
Kneeling down each morning and each night.
He continues with this practice still
knowing God hears and all will be okay.

A new cancer diagnosis
doesn’t rattle him at all.
“I try not to think about it,”
or it will get me down.”

He looks forward to each day,
smiling along the way.
His legacy is simple, but profound
          “Be Happy”.

And so he is.