TIME FOR HOSPICE

The day Paul was diagnosed with leukemia his immediate response was –I am going to die. If I have to die it can’t be in a hospital.

“You won’t," I promised.

His treatment consisted of two lengthy hospital stays and extensive out patient care. He spent his time at home working at his desk, reading and writing, adding to his homepage and blog or sitting in the Boston Rocking chair in the living room, reading or watching TV. It was slow paced regimen with much dozing.

The day came when time at the desk gave way to more time in the rocking chair. As he became weaker he rarely left the chair. Day and night he sat there. Trips to the table for meals, to the bathroom became increasingly challenging to both of us.

One morning he declined to leave the rocking chair for breakfast. By lunch he was still in the chair with yet a trip to the bathroom. “Paul,” I said.  “I think it’s time we got Hospice.”

“I don’t need Hospice,” he snapped in that crabby voice he was known for.

“But I do. I can’t do this alone.”

“Then get it if have to. But I don’t need it.”

The next day an Hospice intake person came to process all the entry papers.