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....
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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.
Copyright © Ashley Gleason | Year Posted 2014
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