TEE SHIRT

Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic, I have been home for several weeks. I am doing my work at home and not visiting patients or families at all. Hospice is considered an “Essential” agency and so we remain open during this health crisis. Only the hospice nurses and our Home Health Aides are allowed into the patient’s home or facilities.

I have been doing the hospice admissions over the telephone. I so feel that visiting folks in person is so much more supportive, but all of the patients and families so understand and appreciate the call.

I have been wearing blue jeans and a tee shirt each day as remain home to do my work. “John”, seventy-six, suffers from dementia. He had been doing quite well, even though was getting more and more forgetful. He needed supervision from his wife, “Carolyn”, but did manage quite well.

A week ago, all that changed. He declined rapidly to where now he is no longer walking. His appetite has declined and he is much more confused. His speech is now garbled and not making much sense. Carolyn is struggling as she is trying to process this rapid change.

Carolyn and John live about a mile from my home on a beautiful ranch with acres of trees. Carolyn asked if I could come in person. She said that we could do the visit on her porch. I asked her, “Is it okay if I am wearing blue jeans and a tee shirt?” She answered, ‘Absolutely”. As I was driving over, I realized I had no jewelry on along with wearing my comfy shoes.

Carolyn and I connected instantly as she was so truthful about everything. She was direct about John’s decline and poor prognosis. She was so honest about who she was and how she copes with life. It was then I realized, it is not the clothes that defines who you are, but your heart; your soul. Thank you Carolyn for that beautiful reminder.


TEE SHIRT　

We are all socially-isolated.
Staying away from others; washing our hands;
avoiding exposure; remaining at home.
The Corona Virus now has all the control.

I have been working from home.
Not seeing patients or families at all;
but calling them to introduce myself.
Doing the hospice admission over the phone.

I stay comfortable wearing casual attire.
It is consistently blue jeans and a tee shirt that I grab.
Why wear nice clothes, dress shoes or jewelry
if no one sees me doing my work each day.

He's been sick with dementia for so many years.
He had been doing quite well until last week.
No longer able to walk, so he stays in bed
requiring assistance with all of his daily needs.

They live a mile away from me
on a twenty acre ranch with lots of trees.
She asked that I meet with her on their front porch.
Cabin fever has hit, so I enthusiastically agreed.

We sat on her porch among the trees;
feeling the beauty; the comfort; the peace.
She told me about her family; her work; her pain.
She needed to talk and I quietly listened.
So easy to do while nature embraced our souls.

We connected on a spiritual level.
She so thanked me for listening to her.
She saw my heart and not my clothes
as I am a Social Worker through and through
even while wearing
          my best T-shirt.