HELL

We received a referral to admit “Monica” to our Palliative Care program.  She is very limited in her ability to care for her personal and daily needs secondary to being wheelchair bound.  She has been unable to work and is on disability.  Due to her low income, she qualifies for caregiving help in the home. 

 

Her calm and real personality amazed me.  She looks at her life’s challenges with reality.  She does not get angry at anyone but tries to look at a reasonable solution to help her out.   

In the end, she is a survivor.  I feel so sorry for all that she has been through.  Much more than anyone deserves.  But then her strong presence is one wonderful gift that, I know, will get her through the downs and the ups.  Good luck Monica. 

HELL 

 

Eight years ago, she took a fall 

and fractured her right leg. 

She had surgery, but the pain 

stayed and never diminished. 

 

As a result, her leg became infected 

resulting in an emergency amputation. 

She is now wheelchair bound; 

needing help with so many of her daily needs. 

 

She isn’t a complainer, but realistic. 

She will talk about her dilemma; 

searching for appropriate solutions. 

Unfortunately, she has hit many brick walls. 

 

Many years ago, she and her husband 

were high on a mountaintop. 

Suddenly, at age thirty-seven, he died of a heart attack. 

She then so strongly, carried him back down the mountain. 

 

She has rented her home for over nineteen years. 

Last week, the owner sent her an eviction notice. 

She now needs to move out; he is selling the home. 

Not surprisingly, she calmly thinks,  

                    “What do I need to do now?” 

 

Reality can hit any of us appropriately hard. 

Life has a way of suddenly taking full notice; 

as reality does hit her with a tremendous force; 

“These past 8 years, I have been through Hell!”