I did a follow-up phone call to “Andy”. Andy is fifty-one years old and suffers from lung cancer. He was diagnosed two years ago and underwent full treatment. Just recently, the treatment was causing more side effects than being helpful. Andy was aware and very comfortable stopping treatment.
He amazed me as he so strongly shared what he needed from our hospice program. I thanked him for informing me of his expectations as that helps our hospice program clearly know how we can help.
Andy accepts the good along with the bad while focusing on what he needs to do in either situation. He has three sons all living out of state. His wife died four years ago. He will talk about it from the depths of his soul but then will quickly move on to the next task.
I have so much respect for him as he is true to himself as well as to others. He is such a perfect example of doing things his way. What is right for one, may not be right for another. Thank you, Andy, for letting me know how we can help you.
SCHEDULE
He was admitted to hospice yesterday,
so, I gave him a call today to follow-up.
He just turned fifty-one this past summer.
Way too young to be challenged by so much.
He was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.
He had radiation and chemotherapy,
but it has still spread dramatically;
to his liver; to his kidneys; to his bones.
He is very straight forward and precise;
telling his truth; his needs; what he wants.
His requests are very reasonable.
He has his itinerary all worked out.
When I asked him how he was coping,
he strongly stated so clearly,
“I’m dying. It’s coming. I am done.
I have a schedule to die”.
When asked if he would like a chaplain to visit,
he knowingly answered, “My spirituality is myself”.
He confidently knows his path.
It is exact and so clear to him.
He simplifies his life to embrace reality.
It helps him see and to know what to do.
I hope we can support him his way;
guiding him on his journey;
his predestined schedule.
No comments:
Post a Comment