A HERO

The hospice nurse and I went out to admit, “Carla”, sixty-three, to hospice.   She was diagnosed with cancer just a few months ago.  She tried chemotherapy, which did not help much at all.  She has been in a recent decline to where she is so much weaker.  She is bedridden and not eating much at all.   She is sleeping much more during the day as well.  

We were notified ahead that we would also be meeting up with her stepson, “Johnnie”.  Walking into her room, we saw Carla lying down in her bed and Johnnie sitting in a nearby chair.  Johnnie was covered with tattoos and piercings.  That look, at times, can send off a “tough-guy” message, but he had me with “Hello”. 

He told us about his father’s sudden death and how now he is the only family available to help. He would try hard to talk with Carla so that she would understand, but she would doze off due to her weakness. In addition, she did not speak English and It took energy to try to decipher the conversation. 

I so respected Johnnie as a human being.  Despite the loss of his father, his first thought was her needs.  To me, he is a true hero. 

A HERO 

 

She was married to his father

for just a little over a year.

He, her stepson, didn’t really know her

as only met up with her three times.

 

Communication with her was a challenge

as she did not speak English at all.

Sadly, she was recently diagnosed with cancer;

and has declined a lot these past few months.

 

His father died suddenly one week ago.

He had been her support; her caregiver.

Now, he, the stepson, is the only family nearby

as her only daughter lives overseas.

 

She was hospitalized this past week

as she could no longer manage her daily needs.

He is mourning the loss of his father,

but still so focused on helping his step-mom.

 

He met us this afternoon at the Board & Care Home

where she moved today to get her necessary care.

She has no income at all; so fortunately,

her medical insurance is paying the rent.

 

Upon meeting her step-son, one might think he is tough.

He has a lot of tattoos and piercings,

but he has the biggest heart; the most caring soul.

In my eyes, he definitely is

                                 “A true hero!”