AFTERLIFE

 “Vivian”, eighty-two, was diagnosed with Liver Cancer five years ago.  She came onto our hospice program one week ago secondary to a rapid decline.  Vivian lives with her husband, “Eric”.   He is in good health and is a great support.    

Two days ago, Vivian took a fall.  That fall impacted her greatly.  She has now declined more secondary to pain with movement.  Vivian has strong Christian beliefs, but the impact of what she is going through, makes it all so very real to her. 

 

I am honored to have met both of them.  Her compliments about my words touched me deeply.  I am very spiritual and so strongly believe that my words were from above.   Thank you to my supportive crowd up there, but also to Vivian with deepest gratitude.   

 

AFTERLIFE 

 

She came onto hospice one week ago. 

Liver cancer was the reason why. 

She took a fall two days ago 

breaking three ribs and puncturing a lung. 

 

She was hospitalized overnight, 

so, following the guidelines, we discharged her. 

She is back home again today, 

so we re-admitted her this afternoon. 

 

She has been in a rapid, recent decline. 

She is now bedridden as has pain with movement. 

She has lost weight as her appetite is down; 

weighing a bit under one hundred pounds. 

 

She is now facing the reality of it all. 

The truth gives her some fear. 

“What if it is just darkness? 

                    Will anyone be there?” 

 

I shared my out-of-body experience; 

of what I witnessed, of what I saw. 

I also shared what a seven-year-old once said, 

“We all will hear, Well done”. 

 

Her face became so peaceful. 

She relaxed while going within. 

“Those are the perfect words. 

You have given me calmness.” 

 

My perfect words back were few 

as I quietly and simply said; 

                     “Thank you”. 

SARCASTIC

 

“Gladys”, eighty-seven, has had lung disease for many years.    It did not impact her much with her activities of daily living.    She was able to take brisk walks with her dogs; work in her garden and run her home without any concerns or symptoms.  All that recently changed. 

 

One week ago, she was hospitalized due to shortness of breath.  Her lungs had filled with fluid.  The treatment that was offered was extensive.   Gladys had always been in charge of her life.  It was then that she knew that going home was her best option.   

 

Gladys coped with her wit; her sarcasm.  Some may think it was her anger, but I saw her caring heart.  Keep laughing Gladys.   

SARCASTIC 

 

 

She’ll turn eighty-eight next month. 

She’s been independent and always active; 

until one week ago when her lungs filled with fluid. 

She’s been wheezing and short of breath since then. 

 

Her doctors recommended excessive treatment, 

but she said, “No. Not at my age. 

Let me go home for rest and comfort”. 

It was then an emergency hospice referral was made. 

 

We met her daughter at the front door. 

She walked us to the bedroom to see Mom. 

“Tell me about your program but keep it short!” 

Her sarcasm flowed through her delivery. 

 

In one week, she lost her independence. 

She was appropriately grieving that loss. 

Anger can arise as one is trying to process 

                    the reality of that deprivation. 

 

I did not hear any anger but did loudly hear sarcasm. 

Sarcastic humor hits my funny bone the hardest. 

When I hear it, I immediately think, "My people”; 

as sarcasm teases someone on their strengths. 

 

I asked,” Is there anything you need from us?” 

I heard, “I don’t know. I never died before”. 

She made me laugh with her words; her expressions. 

She knew it, but also knew some can be offended. 

 

I walked into her bedroom as I was leaving 

to remind her to call hospice at any time. 

She knew she would get a smile as she said, 

“I don’t have time anymore to be nice”. 

 

Sarcastic. 

                    My people.