“Daniel”, sixty years old, was diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease recently. Daniel has spent many years living on the streets. He recently had been living in a rooming house surrounded by drugs and crime. Daniel’s only family is a cousin, “Gene” living about twenty miles south. When the hospice nurse admitted Daniel three days ago to hospice, he did not know his cousin’s phone number. Many patients at Joshua’s House have a history of drugs or poor choices. They have burnt many bridges and are alienated from their families.
While meeting with Daniel today, I asked him about his emergency contact. He then named his cousin Gene. He then gave me Gene’s phone number. After the visit, I called Gene. Gene was so supportive and caring. I gave him the address of our shelter, “Joshua’s House”. He then lovingly said, “I will visit him tomorrow”. I felt so good about this visit. In the end, I believe most of us are good people. We all do make wrong decisions at times, but for most of us, we learn and move on. Good luck Daniel and Gene.
QUALITY OF LIFE
He's been homeless for many years.
He spoke about his hardships;
living in a rooming house;
drugs; theft and crime.
He now has end-stage kidney disease.
He needs to go on dialysis.
He chose not to as so strongly wants
“Quality of life.”
He is very weak and mostly stays in bed.
He is eating about one-fourth of his food.
He gets short of breath with exertion.
With no dialysis, his life is now down to weeks.
He was admitted to our hospice shelter
for terminally ill patients who are homeless.
Five cabins; three bedrooms in each;
along with a bathroom and kitchen.
Private rooms with a large closet.
A hospital bed with a TV nearby.
Free food and comfort along with
twenty-four-hour hospice care.
He denied any fears about it all.
He has a strong faith that supports him.
“This place is wonderful and comforting.
This truly does define so perfectly to me;
Quality of life.”
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