Day 222: Understanding Death + Niece Friend

Today I learned…

…that very small children can understand death as a happy thing.

Today I am thankful for…

…the adorable conversation I had with my 2 year old niece about how Jenn Friedman is HER friend and not MINE. Hahahaha.

Day 59: Final Moments + Honorable Mention

Today I learned...
...that people can hear you even when they are minutes from death. I sat with a patient today who was imminently dying. He was unconscious, breathing in a labored fashion, and unresponsive. And he was alone. So I sat there for almost an hour and I talked to him. It's a little embarrassing even to say here, but I told him that he didn't have to be afraid. I told him that his angels were with him. I told him that he didn't have to wait for anyone or anything. And then, because some people wait for someone to be near and some people wait to be all alone, I told him, "I'll be right back" so he would know I was leaving, and I went out. He died within 5 minutes. I truly believe he heard and wanted to take his last breath in peace.

Today I am thankful for...
...this email I received!

Dear Arielle,

It is with pleasure to inform you that you have received an Honorable Mention for the Polizzi Award for this year. Congratulations! Phyllis & I nominated you with the attached nomination write up. Voting was done via all faculty from all of our MSW programs at our last meeting. Your honorable mention recognition will be presented to you at the Spring Field Colloquium in Scranton on Wed. March 27th & you will be recognized along with the MSW Polizzi Award Winner at this year's Graduate Hooding Ceremony. We are honored to have you as the honorable mention recipient of this award! I am hopeful that you will be able to attend to receive the recognition that you so deserve at each venue! Congratulations! I am copying your field liaison and current & past field instructors on this announcement as well to share this good news! Thank you for all you do as an MSW student & soon to be social worker! Congratulations!


The Polizzi Medal is awarded to a graduating MSW who overall in the SSWAS stands out in class, in field, and in the social work profession and community, etc. The award recognizes the student for outstanding educational performance and service in the filed of social work. The Word document that was attached to the email (the nomination essay itself that was composed by the faculty) was so long and touching and so filled with kind words that it brought tears to my eyes. I am not sharing it, because I'm too embarrassed and it made me blush. The person who won the first place award goes to school in Scranton (a couple hours away) so is unknown to me...as I was unknown to many of the faculty up there who vote on this recipient of this award. As per a conversation I had with Dr. Black a few days ago, I think Dr. Black (Phyllis, the director of my social work program) was a little upset that I did not win, because the instructors on the other campus don't know me. BUT I WAS SO HONORED JUST TO BE NOMINATED let alone win the honorable mention. I tried to impress this upon her. I really am blessed.

Day 17: Death + a Thank You

Today I learned...
...that death can mean so much more than pain and tears...that it can in fact be the best gift of all. At hospice, I met a dear, sweet, very elderly woman with one specific wish: to dance with her husband again. He has been dead for several years and she is more than ready to be with him. She has no regrets, no unfinished business, and no worries. She loved her life and she embraces its final chapter. Death has escaped her these last few days, though she is very weak and very ill. At her extreme age, it's amazing her body has held up through her terminal illness. She longs to die and this makes me happy, not sad. I mean it when I say that I hope she will be dancing with her husband very soon.

Today I am thankful for...
...the chance to tell a particular person that something she suggested changed my life for the better. By chance, this particular woman (whom I first met in October) popped into my life today and I was able to thank her sincerely as well as marvel at the full circle beauty that has since transpired.

Day 10: Dying + Sleep

 

Today I learned...

...that when a person is dying, his or her background does not matter very much. All that matters is that when he is in pain, empathy takes hold. A patient came into hospice today - he had a past laced with negative information and poor choices. I saw a nurse judge him. He wasn't a criminal or an evil person, but he had had a hard life and some consequences ensued. Before he arrived, she mentioned not wanting to touch him, because she found him too gross. As a social worker, I was taken aback by this comment. Hours after he arrived, she came from his bedside and I asked her how he was. She had sadness in her eyes and said she felt sorry for him, because he was in so much pain. After meeting him - and watching his painful state - she had tirelessly ensured his comfort was the number one priority so he could die in peace, and no longer held the notion he was gross. The change in her mindset happened in a matter of hours and I witnessed it.

Today I am thankful for...

...the opportunity to go to sleep early. Many of my days are so long, filled with work and commitments. I have progressively gotten more and more tired as this week wore on, and last night I believe I had less than 5 hours of sleep. So tonight, after a long and tiring day during which I was already running on empty, I am happy that I do not have a 3 hour class. I am happy I do not have to lead a group. I am happy that I do not have to make a video. I am happy that I do not have to write a paper. I am happy that I can go to sleep earlier than usual!