MONKS

Often we meet patients while still in the hospital to explain our hospice program. "Rosa", ninety-three, had been in the hospital for three days with poor cardiac disease. She had been in a recent decline to where she was bedbound and dependent with all of her needs. Her daughter, "Sharon", told the hospice nurse and I that her mother's heart was causing her blood pressure to drop at night.

Rosa was asleep during the majority of our hospital visit, but would open her eyes and speak quietly. The hospice nurse told me that she thought Rosa had likely only a few days at most. After hearing that, I suddenly thought to ask about her religious or spiritual beliefs. I was hoping a minister or priest could visit her at the hospital.

Typically I ask about spirituality when sharing with the patient and family about our hospice team. A chaplain is a very important part of our team. I did not share much about hospice support while at the hospital as knew we would meet up again in a few hours once the patient returned home.

I truly believe I was spiritually guided to ask when I did. I feel so honored and humbled to have played a part in something so special that was meant to be. Coincidences are truly signs from above.

ADDENDUM: Rosa died the following morning shortly after sunrise.


MONKS

We met her in the hospital.
She so wanted to just be home.
Oxygen on board helping her breathe;
          her heart tiring her out.

The ambulance was coming in two hours
to transport her back to home.
We would meet up again at that time
to get the hospice paperwork done.

Something told me to ask about her spirituality then.
Typically I do so when talking about the hospice team
while doing the paperwork in the home.
She quietly said yes to a visit by a Buddhist Monk.

The hospital chaplain told me about the closest temple;
and how they never visit this far away.
The daughter then called the temple; hoping he was wrong.
They confirmed what the chaplain relayed.

Coincidently, though, two of their monks were driving back
from a city two hours north of town.
They have the time and will stop by to bless the patient
as it is on their driving route to home.

The nurse and I met up again in the patient's home.
She thought that the patient might die tonight.
While there, the two monks did show up
to bless the patient while easing her return
          to her sacred, spiritual home.