“Jamie” just turned fifty-five a few weeks ago. I first met Jamie two months ago when we admitted her to our Palliative Care program. I immediately connected with Jamie on so many levels; the primary one being her humor. Jamie has accepted her Ovarian Cancer diagnosis while being in a strong decline these past few weeks.
Jamie has had a lot of challenges in her life. Her mother died when she was a teenager. In addition, three of her five siblings have preceded her in death. Jamie spoke so beautifully about her one brother, who was only 18 months older than her. He died two years ago and she still misses him so strongly today. Jamie shared stories about her brother that were fun and whimsical. She adored her brother and a few tears did appear while talking about him. Jamie did add, “I was so angry, I wanted to kill him!”
While her emotions swayed, Jamie
always ended up laughing. She was very
comical and had me laughing a lot. She
got a kick out of making others laugh.
It was great. I believe her
laughter has always helped her through the tough times she has experience
throughout her life. Keep laughing
Jamie.
HER TRUTH
She’s had it rough during her
life.
Many family deaths early on;
homeless for so many years;
along with a lifelong drug
addiction.
Early this morning, we met
with her at the shelter
to admit her to our hospice
program.
Her cancer has rapidly
spread;
with no more available
treatment.
No matter what you ask her,
through the good, the bad,
the ugly,
she always will, without
hesitation,
tell you her absolute truth.
She has a very energetic
personality
talking non-stop while
laughing, oh so hard.
She easily admitted tripling
one medication
while confessing her recent
meth use a few days ago.
She accepts all of this with
“This is called life.”
Easily adding, “I am dying.
When it is time to go, I’ll
go.
My bus is here”.
Her life.
Her Truth.
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