I met “Grace” today while admitting her to our hospice program. Grace, seventy years old, was diagnosed four weeks ago with Lung Cancer. The cancer has already spread to her bones. The doctors have informed her it may likely have also spread to her brain. Grace was married twice over forty years ago. She shared that her first husband beat her and the second husband had affairs. Smartly, she divorced both of them.
When I first walked into her home, Grace shared that she stopped drinking three months ago. She also stopped smoking once she heard about the lung cancer. Grace has such a strong personality that she was able to stop both habits on her own. She is so truthful and openly verbalized how her choices may have strongly impacted her life today.
Grace said
what truly helps her cope is, “I pray every day.” I have a strong suspicion that Grace’s
parents were guided from above by naming her the perfect name. It feels very spiritual. I wish her well and know she will take her
positive personality with her wherever she goes.
POSITIVE
She was just
diagnosed four weeks ago.
The cancer
has already spread.
She chose no
further tests or treatment.
She is so
aware of the actual facts.
She has had
a very challenging life.
She’s been a
smoker and drinker for many years.
She’s been
divorced twice four decades ago.
The majority
of her life, she’s been alone.
She had two
children from her first marriage.
Unfortunately,
both have preceded her in death.
One by
murder, while the other suicide.
Undeniably, so
out of order for her.
She sees
life though, in such a positive way.
She speaks
and lives her truth.
She has
accepted her terminal diagnosis;
while
strongly wanting to remain at home.
Near the end
of our visit together,
I asked her
if she had any fears or concerns.
Her reply
touched and amazed me so
as her
positive truth was so beautiful.
“If my kids
were still alive,
it would be
so hard to leave this Earth.
But now I am
looking forward
to seeing
both of my children again.”
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