It was an unusual day. It was a sad day.
Patient # 1
Patient #1 has been coming to us for hearing help for close to ten years. He's one of our younger patients, in his 50's. When I first met #1 he was a preacher with a promising, hopeful future. Today he is beginning to show signs of dementia and he has full blown Parkinson's disease. His sense of humor is still there... and we still laugh together when he comes in. This morning he was in to see us. It's hard to see our friend like this.
Patient # 2
Sometimes you just have to laugh so you don't cry. When patient #2 first started coming into our office, she was sharp as a tack. Then, we steadily noticed that she was forgetful and confused. One day she came in and forgot that she had her car running in the parking space in front of our office. I went out and turned it off, returning her keys to her. We laugh together and she swears that her lost hearing aid was carried away by little critters with long octopus-like arms that swooped it off of her dresser in the middle of the night. If you sit and talk to her long enough, you will forget where your keys are too.
Patient # 3
A retired pastor who would laugh hysterically at all of my jokes. I have never had more fun with a patient before! Before he would leave the office, we would join hands and he would pray for us. Just several months ago he and his son drove up and down National Hwy. looking for the big wooden deer in our yard by the road after I gave him directions over the phone on how to find our new office. They came in the office, father and son laughing together.... when they realized it was an EAR they were looking for, not a DEER. Today he shuffled into our office with his daughter. He had suffered 2 strokes not long ago. I tried not to let him see the tears that gushed from my eyes the minute he walked in. I'm sure he didn't see. His head was down and he didn't even know me. Before he left we hugged and he cried and cried as he begged me to pray for him and his wife (who is in the hospital).
Please, if you think of it... pray for my dear friends, and most especially patient #3. I don't imagine things will get better for him. His prognosis is not good.
