Working in hospice, it is understandable while I meet so many who are dependent. Being dependent is something that I do not believe anyone would relish. I too, do say that I want to die the day before I become dependent. Anger is a symptom of grief and loss. We are logical beings and look for answers in a rational way. There is no logical meaning to be found when one is diagnosed with a terminal disease. As often I hear from patients is, “It is what it is”. That is as logical, I guess, that we can be.
FINDING CONTROL
So many
patients that I meet
need help to
get through each day.
I have never
met anyone who has said,
“I love being dependent”.
She was
diagnosed, just recently,
with chronic
respiratory failure.
She is weak,
bedridden, and on oxygen;
necessitating
help with all of her needs.
He was
diagnosed three months ago
with metastatic
gall bladder cancer.
He is fragile,
with a very unsteady gait.
He too,
needs help with his daily activities.
Her daughter
says, “She is very difficult.
She has
always been a very angry person”.
She lives on
a beautiful horse ranch,
but finding
control is at the top of her list.
His first
words were expressions of anger;
as he spoke
about his recent hospital stay.
“They don’t
care about me at all.
They just
wanted me to be gone.”
Both are
grieving the loss of their independence.
I would
worry if either felt nothing at all.
Life truly
does offer good to all of us,
but yes, it
is often difficult to see,
when strongly,
only focusing on,
finding control.
No comments:
Post a Comment