ANGER

The hospice nurse and I first met, “Kimmy”, two days ago.  Kimmy’s mother, “Brenda”, had been in a nursing home for about one month for physical therapy after a fall.  The goal was for Brenda to work with the physical therapists in order to accomplish walking twenty feet.  Kimmy told her mother that when she walks twenty feet, she can come home. 

Brenda, at first, worked well with the therapist.  Once Brenda walked ten feet, she just stopped working with the therapist.  Kimmy so strongly believed that her mother “was just giving up on living”.  Brenda has suffered from depression for years.  Kimmy would speak so honestly about her mother, but with anger.  

Brenda was discharged from the nursing home today to home.  The hospice nurse and I went out to admit Brenda to hospice.    Kimmy was still holding onto her anger.  Hopefully, one day soon, she will come to some resolution regarding her mother’s health issues.

ANGER

 

She was angry when we met.

Angry that mom has given up.

“She promised she would never do this to me.

I suppose her words were false”.

 

Mom fell two months ago.

She was then hospitalized for urgent care.

She went to rehab for physical therapy.

“When you walk twenty feet, you can come home.”

 

She got to ten feet and then gave up.

She refused to do any more.

No longer talking or eating.

She is now bedridden; totally dependent.

 

She has cared for her mother her entire life.

She had to grow up way too fast.

Somehow; she was the mother in their relationship;

                    not the other way around.

 

Her grief has turned to anger.

She wants a logical answer as to why.

It is never rational as randomly occurs.

There are no clear answers for anyone.

 

She says she copes by distracting herself,

but I hope she finds some needed support.

Her anger may help release some wrath;

to lead her one day to comfort;

                     to embrace her inner peace.