Last Day

Mary, an End stage cancer patient,entered the facility able to walk and stand, but the cancer had spread and the 53-year-old woman began to decline rapidly. A few weeks later ,she couldn't move,stand, eat ,breathe, or speak. She now had a dinner-plate sized wound on her bottom that caused her constant pain. I saw this sweet lady, who was once plump and always smiling, waste into an emaciated and bed-ridden prisoner. For days i stood outside her room before entering for our 30 minute session, listening to the Doctor tell her friend and family "the labs are improving." I wondered how that could be, and recommended Hospice to my supervisor. I decided to spend our last sessions as therapeutically as possible. On this particular day i found that Her roommate, a former patient, a victim of a car accident, left behind a beautiful message.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As i stepped into Mary's room the smell was that of Someone who had passed away already I looked into the reflection of the mirror Opposite her bed first, Preparing myself to look upon her The air was silent, "Mary?" I called, no answer. MY sessions consisted of checking her vital signs, the patient's breathing was labored despite the supplement of 3 liters of oxygen and her resting heart rate was 115. it was comparable to someone who had just worked out... Just to survive I knew she woudln't tolerate much and spent our last session speaking to her about her closest friend, checking her vitals, and reading inspiratioal quotes from the internet that i had picked out for her. Our next session would prove to be very productive: As i walked in i saw a note from her Roommate, Marta, who had gone home, on the table. I wondered if anyone had bothered to read it. and a nagging voice said, "She would want you to read it." MY throat went dry, and i struggled to read to her: "When i first met you, I saw you had so many wonderful friends. Then I realized, it was you. People just gravitate to you. you have spread joy throughout you life. I am sorry you suffer so. Please dont keep God Waiting, you should meet him soon." Love, Martha. I wiped tears away, and realized that I had become what I wanted to. Not only did I help and heal others, but I gave others permission to let go if the future was leading to pain with no recovery. Mary died that night.