CONTRAST

I did two admissions today; one for our Palliative Care Program and one for Hospice.  “Jimmy”, sixty years old, has a very lengthy health history.  Fifteen years ago he received two cancer diagnoses.  While undergoing chemotherapy, he suffered a major stroke.  The stroke has paralyzed his left hand along with his left side.  That weakness impacts his ambulation, making him a bit wobbly on his feet. 

Jimmy was diagnosed with throat cancer six weeks ago.  He will be undergoing seven weeks of daily radiation starting next week.  The treatment will impact his swallowing.  He recently had a feeding tube inserted into his stomach because of that.  Jimmy has a past history of using illegal drugs and alcohol.  His family lives out of state, but he does have a few friends nearby.  

He will need help while receiving his treatment.  There are so few options available to him, but I have already spoken with the Palliative Care team about the urgency of his needs.  

The second admission I did today was for, “Ruth”, ninety-nine years old.  She looks twenty years younger while Jimmy looked twenty years older than his stated age.  Ruth’s memory is slowly declining to where she is becoming a bit forgetful.  She is slowly getting weaker and eating about half of what she used to eat.  

Medicare is very strict about hospice guidelines, but the hospice nurse and I both felt that Ruth and her daughter, “Grace”, would greatly benefit from our services.  We were able to admit Ruth to hospice, while admitting Jimmy to our Palliative Care program. 

The contrast between these two patients was amazing.  Why does one have such struggles, while the other has tremendous family love and support?  Is it fate?  Is it life choices?  Is it DNA?  Likely there are no answers as I hear often from hospice patients, “It is what it is”. 

CONTRAST 

 

He has an extensive health history;

three cancers, a stroke, migraine headaches.

While she, on the other hand,

               has very few.

 

Another new diagnosis of cancer has hit him again.

It’s in his throat this time; affecting his swallowing.

He will now be needing a feeding tube,

               while undergoing radiation treatment.

 

She amazingly, will soon be 100 years old.

She though, has been in a slow, recent decline,

but we struggled with finding a diagnosis

that will meet hospice’s Medicare guidelines.

 

His family lives in another state.

He has only a few friends around;

while she is surrounded by her loving family.

It is her family that helps her get by.

 

He is forty years her junior,

but has a lifetime of struggles.

His great sadness; depression, makes him cry;

while she embraces all the love she has nearby.

 

Do we choose our journeys?

Are they lessons in disguise? 

What surrounded her with love, compassion,

while so much for him has been left behind?

 

Likely there are so many more questions

with no answers to be found.

Each deserves to travel their journey with

much love, support, embracement;

no matter what the contrast

               that anyone finds.