ROCK BOTTOM

“Ken”, seventy years old, suffers from Alcohol Cirrhosis.  He has been drinking since he was a teen.   He has been in a recent decline where his quality of life is all but gone.  He has burned a lot of bridges along the way.  His only support now is his daughter.  She had been estranged from him, but when she heard he was ill, she strongly came back into his life for support. 

 

We all have heard that an alcoholic will stop drinking when, and if, they hit rock bottom.  Ken continues to drink, but then why should anyone judge him.  He likely has only a few months to live; why not let him do things his way?  Just a thought. 

ROCK BOTTOM 

 

 

We admitted him to hospice today. 

He’s been in a dramatic decline. 

He is so thin; just a bit over 100 pounds; 

as now eats only one-fourth of his meals. 

 

He has had multiple, recent falls 

as weakness has hit him hard. 

His walk is unsteady and slow; 

needing someone now to hold on. 

 

His diagnosis is Alcoholic Cirrhosis. 

He’s been drinking since he was a teen. 

He likely has had a few sober moments, 

but, for now, he continues to drink. 

 

We must all have a rock bottom; 

a level some may refuse to accept. 

It may be just one drink for some, 

while others continue the flow. 

 

His answer to life’s problems 

has typically been all about alcohol. 

His quality of life, now; has become quite absent. 

Not surprisingly to family and friends; 

                    he is continuing to drink. 

 

Allow him to drink if that is his choice. 

His life will be over much too soon. 

Give him peace; give him comfort 

whether it is pain medication 

                    or another bottle of booze.