TO PUT DOWN

We received a referral today to admit, “Frank” to hospice secondary to mild dementia.  Frank was diagnosed 9 months ago.  He has been able to live alone with his two Greyhounds until a week ago when he fell and hit his head.  Frank’s friend, “Gina”, lives nearby and has been taking care of him.  She checks in with him daily to help with the two dogs. 

After the recent fall, Gina called 911.  When the paramedics came, Frank refused to go to the hospital.  It was then that Gina realized that he was ready to die.  He has become more confused since the fall; along with having slurred speech.  He is having difficulty completing full sentences.  Because of these increasing needs and changes, Gina is staying with Frank for the duration. 

Frank’s two dogs are the light of his life.  They are 12 years old and each suffers from a seizure disorder.  Frank told Gina yesterday to arrange to have them put down.  Frank is tying up loose ends before he goes.  He is hoping for a quick resolution for his life to be over.  He stopped eating and drinking yesterday hoping that will quicken the pace.  Frank is now bedridden and much weaker. 

The hospice nurse feels he has 1-2 weeks at most.  What amazes me about terminal patients, is that they will tell you their truth.  I love that about them.  There is no feeling or thought that is right or wrong.  We will all cope our own way.  

ADDENDUM:  Prior to hospice making a visit to Frank’s home yesterday, we heard background information that his biggest worry was about his two dogs.  He strongly stated, “I do not want to ever be apart from them.”  I was a bit surprised when we walked into his home and Gina told us that he asked her to put his dogs down.  Gina made an appointment for today at 2pm & 2:30pm to have the two dogs euthanized.  Well Frank was never apart from his dogs as I found out this afternoon that he also died today at 1:57pm.  Amazing and wonderful for Frank as he was there to welcome his two dogs home at Rainbow Bridge.  Rainbow Bridge is where our animals wait for us after their die.  Well, Frank was there, I so believe, to greet them.

TO PUT DOWN 

It was only one week ago

that he hit his head after a fall.

He now is forgetful with slurred speech.

“He can’t string a sentence any longer”.

 

His friend is taking care of him.

She knows he doesn’t have long.

He’s been in bed since yesterday.

He strongly has told her, “I am done!”

 

He loves his two greyhound dogs.

They are the light in his cloudy life.

He presented them in many dog shows

which incredibly they would win.

 

He told her yesterday to put them down.

They are old; they are sick; it is their time.

He doesn’t want to be a burden to her,

but this is one final thing he needs to get done.

 

“I want it to all be over quickly.

Lying here in bed makes it feel so slow.

I’ve stopped drinking; I’ve stopped eating.

               Why is it taking so long?”

 

I walked into his bedroom to say hello.

“We are here to support you in any way.

Just keep us informed of anything you need.

We only need to know how we can help.”

 

He slowly turned his head to look straight at me.

With a soft, but firm voice, he quietly said,

“I don’t quite know how to properly word this,

               but please,

                              just put me down.”