As a caregiver to his spouse, Charles wrote a number of poems about their time collectively throughout her ultimate days.
I wrote eight poems in chronological order of the occasions that led to my spouse’s dying, as I spent 77,000 hours as her solely caregiver. These poems may be very laborious to learn in a single sitting, however I wrote them collectively like this, much like an opera or suite.
STEADY HANDS
“Hey, Lou.”
“How are you?”
Assist me up!
Regular Palms
STEADY HANDS
Lock my knees!
Regular Palms
STEADY HANDS
Change my diaper!
Regular Palms
STEADY HANDS
Clear me up!
Regular Palms
STEADY HANDS
Ease me down!
Regular Palms
STEADY HANDS
Empty Closets
Emergency Room
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Intubation
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Intensive Care
Let Nature Take Its Course!
BRCA1
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Chemotherapy
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Triple Unfavourable
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Radiation Remedy
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Respiratory Remedy
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Swallow Research
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Antibiotic Infusions
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Morphine Photographs
Let Nature Take Its Course!
NG Tube
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Leeches
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Bloodletting
Let Nature Take Its Course!
Cash
Nature’s Solely Course!
Clear up for XX
How might you?
Soiled DNA,
BRCA1
Triple Unfavourable
Quadriplegia
Dysphagia
Soiled DNA!
However,
Simply tickle me,
I can smile!
Simply inform me a joke,
I can chuckle!
Simply pay attention,
I can communicate softly,
Simply see,
I can open my eyes,
Simply watch,
I can eat by my left nostril!
“I Acquired You Babe”
Pair A Docs
I promise my sufferers
First Do No Hurt!
Compassion
No Nourishment
Integrity
No Hydration
Competence
No Oxygen
Hospice
Execution
“By no means will I betray them or threat their well-being.”
“If I ever break this oath,
take away my data
of this artwork
by myself well being.”
KILLING TIME
“Life is Good”
In accordance with the t-shirt.
“Let her die
In a peaceable method!”
“Out of the blue
And into the black!”
“Dying don’t have
No mercy on this land!”
“The longer term is unsure,
The tip is at all times close to!”
Dying shouldn’t be peaceable,
Organs decay,
I didn’t hear a
“fly buzz.”
Discharge Instruction
Present Drugs *****
Subsequent Dose *****
No Immunizations Documented
Affected person Situation at Discharge: Improved
Vitals: 181/67 119* 18res/98 RP
If you’re experiencing
A psychological well being disaster, go to lifeline.org
Current Laboratory: 4/4/24 Hemoglobin: 4.2
Vitamin Plan: NPO Hunger: 5/5/24
TELEMETRY
88: GREEN
97: GREEN
102: YELLOW! TACHYCARDIA
110: YELLOW! TACHYCARDIA
125: YELLOW! TACHYCARDIA
131: RED!!! TACHYCARDIA
141: RED!!! TACHYCARDIA
150: RED!!! TACHYCARDIA
40: RED!!! BRADYCARDIA
23: RED!!! BRADYCARDIA
0: RED!!! BRADYCARDIA
0: RED!!! BRADYCARDIA
0: RED!!! BRADYCARDIA
“REMISSION IS NO LONGER USED”
BLINK
Eyes closed
Are you listening?
One blink, sure
Two blinks, no
PICC line,
Morphine?
One blink,
Maintain Speaking?
One Blink,
Mom’s Day 5/12?
One Blink?
Birthday 5/17?
One Blink,
Marriage ceremony Anniversary 5/17?
One Blink,
Eyes Open,
I’ll see you tomorrow!
Two Blinks.
This publish was written and submitted by Charles Elwert. The article displays the views of Elwert and never of CURE®. That is additionally not speculated to be meant as medical recommendation.
For extra information on most cancers updates, analysis and schooling, don’t overlook to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters right here.
