ONE WEEK

The hospice nurse and I went out to meet, “Cathy”, sixty-seven, and her husband, “Mitch”.  Fifteen years ago, Cathy took a fall at her work causing chronic back and neck pain.  Cathy has been struggling with this pain for years. 

Cathy has such a positive attitude about life.  She has accepted her terminal diagnosis completely.  In spite of being diagnosed just one week ago, she has already processed her emotions and is embracing the positive side of her illness and mortality.  

Her husband is fighting to keep her alive saying, “The doctor told us yesterday that she had only a few weeks.  I need her to be here longer than that.”   During the visit, e was struggling with the reality of it all causing tears to flow.   When I asked him what helps him cope when times get a little tough, he lovingly answered, “I hug Cathy.”  

Cathy has a strong Lutheran faith while Mitch spoke about loving nature.  He shared that “Sitting outside around nature helps me cope.”  Mitch then softly added, “I have my dog, my Benny”.  I have no doubt that Mitch will continue to struggle for a while.  Fortunately, our hospice bereavement department follows up for thirteen months with support groups, counseling and phone calls.  God bless both Cathy and Mitch.

ONE WEEK

 

They’ve been married over forty years.

Their love so strong between them.

They each have two children,

but it’s each other with whom they cling.

 

She hasn’t been feeling well for weeks;

becoming weaker as the days moved on.

Two months ago, she fell and broke her hip.

              Surgery, rehab, convalescent.

 

Her weakness continued on

resulting in many medical tests.

One week ago, they told her,

“It is an aggressive cancer;

with no treatment; no cure.”

 

He is struggling hard to process this.

“It is happening way too fast.

She’s not eating or drinking much at all.

She has to stand up and fight!”

 

She has a completely different coping skill.

“My Lutheran faith helps me believe.

I know I am dying.

When it is my time, I will go.”

 

“I look forward to hugging my loved ones

who are in Heaven watching over me.

Once I have crossed over and died,

I no longer will worry about all of this.”

 

She copes by facing her reality

in such a realistic and truthful way.

Her faith is amazingly that strong

as she has come to terms with her mortality

          in only one short week.