The day had the usual chauffeured runs but
the theme seemed to revolve around sudden shocking news or reactions.
Early in the day I took a lady whom I have
come to respect as a shy but demanding lady with a very soft heart. On our way to the appointment she revealed to
me that she had been “diagnosed with cancer” and was still in shock by the
news. I told her how sorry I was and
offered to keep her in my thoughts to which she was greatly appreciative.
Mid-way through the day I met a courier in
the lobby with oxygen tanks for a resident (Mr F) and with Mr F’s permission took
the courier to his room to deliver the new canisters (five total) and to take
three he had used. As you may remember
Mr F is a well learned man but is in need of oxygen continuously. He now requires at the minimum 5 tanks of
oxygen to stay comfortable in a 5 day period.
Scary when one thinks about it.
At the end of the day I took Ms E to the south
end and she had seen me with the oxygen man and she commented on how she had
remembered Mr F to be so vibrant walking everywhere without any medically
required devices just a year ago. We
both commented on how so many people have been failing over the years since the
building opened and it was sad to watch them get to near-end points in their
lives.
It was at this point that she made a
statement that I am sure many feel at the residence. “If I ever get to the point, where I would
need oxygen, or some other help to continue living, I told my family through my
Will to “pull-the-plug”. “I want no resuscitation.”
[Many
people are definitely programmed to try to “survive” by any means they
can. Our medical system and technology
has extended our lives with gadgets and gas.
Some people don’t want to extend it if it is a burden to anyone. I am sure you will agree with me that when
you or I get to that state we will want to make it happen painlessly and
peacefully and fast – to just “pull-the-plug!]
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