I am sitting in my office at work. On my computer screen is the website for which I order parts for our hospital beds. I have a delivery to do at 2:30.
I talked to an elderly lady on the phone to get directions to their house.
"Will it raise him up fully?" she asked of the bed.
"Yes ma'am," I replied.
"I want him to be able to see out the window. I want his last days to be as comfortable as possible."
Her husband had a massive stroke and half of his body is paralyzed. He is in his eighties and they don't expect him to live very long. His wife wanted him home when he passes away and not in some sterile hospital room.
Well, I am off to load up the delivery van with a hospital bed and to be on my way. It's the not-so glamorous part of my job.
18 comments:
Sometimes it's the not-so-glamourous jobs that count the most. I remember when they delivered a hospital bed for my Dad, who was on his last days from lung cancer. He was so much more comfortable than he was in his regular bed.
At this point I am sure she is dealing with a lot of people coming in and out of her house so I am sure you will be most welcome.
It's probably the part of your job that is most appreciated.
To be able to die at home.I'm sure, means very much to the gentleman and his wife.
It may not be glamorous but look what you're doing. You are making the last days of a man's life happier. You are making the last days easier on his wife.
Hey... plan a special dinner for tomorrow's big 100!
Yes, Andrew, it can be sad. . .
But, I marvel at the opening sentence of your post, i.e. "I am sitting in my office at work." You have a job! And you are doing something much more important than flipping burgers. Wow! You have come so far over the several months I have been reading your blog.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :~D
Though I wouldn't call it glamourous, I would call it extremely special. Sometimes the last moments of someone's life can touch ours and leave a lasting impression. I think you have a great job.. I am so very happy for you!
what a great opening to the post just like leon said about sitting at your desk at work and i agree with what kelly jane said. i hope that you do something REALLY GREAT for you tomorrow. it is sad what the man is going through but you are adding joy to him and his wife for his last days.......
I understand completely.
Listen to you talking about work...isn't it awesome that you're working? You've dreamed of this. You're working and you're hours away from being 100 amazing days sober?
Yes, you'll see all kinds of things with your job. I'm sure the elderly woman you saw today was so happy to have your help today. To have you to talk to.
Are you happy working? This job?
It can be hard to be witness to the sorrow, but at least you can take solace in the fact that you helped carry out his wife's wishes and allow him to spend his time in a peaceful, familiar place.
What an honor!
You have been given the privledge of being able to step into a moment of extreme humanity & humility. To carry out a small but incredibly huge task of Grace.
You helped someone die well, at the request of someone beloved.
God smiles.
Sorry for this part of job.
Another thing is the big one-hundred on your counter: CONGRATULATIONS!
As others have noted already, in delivering hospital beds, you are comforting the dying and those who love them.
It IS glamorous.. you're touching people at a time when they need it most. What could be MORE glamorous?
And congratulations on 100 days, a HUGE milestone! Look how far you have come since then!
YEAH!!! 100 Days!!! mazel tov Andrew!
WOW!!!! 100 DAYS!!!! Sooooo awesome!!!
Congratulations and I am so happy your Dad decided to hire you. As someone earlier said you are doing something so much better than flipping burgers! You are making a difference in people's lives!
Congrats on 100 days Andrew!
You are at this job for reasons I'm sure you don't even realize but it all makes sense that your gentle heart is needed in this situation.
Good luck to you :)
That is the hard thing about work in the medical field...you see people on some of their toughest days. But, that is also my favorite thing...such an awesome privilege to be invited into their lives, if only just for a moment, to be allowed to help, if even just a tiny bit, as they do their bravest, most amazing work.
For surely it is harder and more admirable to see a loved one through times like that--to "raise them up fully"-- than it is even walk on the moon.
When I remember that, it is all quite inspiring; and I am honored to be even a tiny part of those tough days.
What an honor, to serve others. You are serving people that really need your help. I'm sure those you are touching are so appreciative of your service to them. It is sad, but what you are doing often brings comfort to someone hurting.
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