"Betty", eighty years old, suffered from cardiac disease. She was only diagnosed two months ago. She has had several Emergency Room visits due to pain and shortness of breath. Betty had always known what she wanted in life. She was very involved in her community helping others doing charity work.
Betty was from such a small, but very loving family. Betty told her family yesterday that she was ready to go "Right now". Her children shared many stories about the strength of their mother. How she always knew what she wanted and how easily she achieved those goals.
Patients typically are aware of their status and poor prognosis. Patients frequently will get to the point of letting go. Betty's decline was so rapid. Her family was processing their emotions during our two hour visit. They all were torn as did not want her to die, but did want her to have peace.
Betty knew more than anyone that her time was near when yesterday she said she was ready to go. She gave her family one day to come to terms with the reality of her no longer being physically around. The family strongly believed that Betty will forever be around in their hearts.
RIGHT NOW
We rushed out to her home
for an urgent admission.
She was declining oh so fast.
No food nor water.
It won't be long.
She was talking this morning.
Now in a deep sleep.
Yesterday, she said "I am done.
I am ready to go right now".
Family rallying, although not quite ready.
They don't want her to suffer.
They wish her only peace, but,
"This is happening way too fast!"
She was actively dying while we were there.
We prepared the family as best we could.
They asked direct questions, wanting the truth.
"It could be hours to only a few days."
She had been such a strong woman.
Admired by all; her family; her community.
Five minutes after I left, she got her wish.
She was allowed to let go.
Right then; right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment