DO I KNOW HER?

The hospice nurse and I received a hospice referral for early this afternoon.  On one hand, her name sounded familiar, but then, on the other hand, it was not an uncommon surname.  When we walked into the family room where “Ellen” was sitting on the couch;  we both knew instantly that we had worked together in hospice many years ago.  She remembered that I hired on about one year before she left.  She was a nurse case manager.  She left our hospice to return to school to become a Nurse Practitioner. 

I then concentrated on focusing on her and her husband’s needs.  But then, I had moments when I just wanted to hug her.  I would then say to myself, “I have the opportunity to give her the gift of caring; of supporting; of being by her side with hospice’s gift of comfort care.” 

I was able to let go after the visit when I returned to my car. Grief is very strong and no one is immune from its strong presence.  I was so reminded of that powerful emotion today.

DO I KNOW HER? 

 

We received a referral this morning

for an early afternoon hospice admission.

The name sounded familiar, but then,

it wasn’t an uncommon surname.

 

She was sitting next to her husband on the couch.

Her first words to me were, “I know you.”

I, so surprisingly, answered the same,

                    “I think I know you too”.

 

We worked together at hospice many years ago.

She was a nurse case manager; while I did admissions.

Hospice was a natural calling for her.

She has the most beautiful, loving heart.

 

Now she has a rare neurological disease.

It is impacting her entire body.

She is declining on a weekly basis.

Only three Americans have this diagnosis.

 

She has such an uplifting personality.

When I asked her, “How are you coping with this,”

she straightforwardly answered,

“I am in a relief knowing what it is”.

 

While in the home, I focused on supporting them,

but as I returned to my car, grief hit me hard.

I was suddenly so sad; with a few tears emerging.

Life seems so unfair; so cruel to them.

 

She was so loving; so gracious in our presence.

She welcomed our knowledge; our support.

She gave back to us one thousand-fold,

but then, the hardest part for me was,

                    Yes, I do know her.