Through These Eyes: The courageous struggle to find meaning in a life stressed with cancerIsaacson, Lauren Ann
Science
Through These Eyes: The courageous struggle to find meaning in a life stressed with cancer
Isaacson, Lauren Ann
Cancer -- Patients -- Biography; Isaacson, Lauren Ann, 1961-1986
In the afternoon I dismissed myself from the festivities so that I
could rest. Shortly after my disappearance, Todd and his wife found
their way upstairs to my room and asked if they could talk to me. They
entered and we discussed my health; I was glad to answer any questions
which might have been forgotten, or otherwise left unanswered. They
then gave me several books, two of which concerned the topic of death,
namely, "On Death and Dying," and "On Dying With Dignity." Todd
quickly made the statement that I didn't have to read them if I didn't
want to, slightly embarrassed by the whole affair. I wasn't offended
by the gifts, but thought them to be rather humorous. I thanked Todd
nevertheless, acknowledging that many people have benefited from
reading those books. I further said that although I felt in no need of
assistance with regard to my handling the disease and eventual death, I
would perhaps read the books simply to see what the doctors had to say
about their keen observances of the dying.
Before our discussion had come to a close my mother came upstairs to
join the group. Todd tried to conceal the books he'd given to me. I
wondered about his effort of secrecy; did he have second thoughts as to
the appropriateness of the gift, or was he concerned about Mom's
reaction? I once again squelched a smile, noting how death is a
characteristically dismal and uncomfortable subject; we all made our
way to the main floor.
The following day everyone was gathering up their belongings for their
journey homeward. As the day progressed and Todd had made no effort to
pack, I became suspicious. He finally voiced the plan that he had in
store for us, that being to talk with the director at the hospice
service. We immediately rejected the idea, saying we had no intention
of utilizing the service at the present time. It was then that he told
us he had actually made an appointment for us, and the director would
be expecting us in a few hours. Since we had first thought the idea
was a mere suggestion, the negative feelings of anger did not surface
until now.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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