Page 47 - WEB VERSION 36

OUR PATIENTS

A story from Sister Kathy

I introduce myself to an anxious-looking, younger man. He shares his name and says he isn’t sure why he is at Mercy Care. He
has registration papers in his hand.

“The shelter I am in sent me here,” he said. “I have some broken ribs from being jumped. The only thing I had was blood
pressure and seizure medicine. Guess they thought it was something else.”

I told him those seem like good reasons to be here; “broken ribs, a need for medicine.”

“Yes, I guess so,” he replied. “I came here from Florida. My wife died three months ago. I couldn’t bear to stay there, so I came to
Atlanta.”

I tell him I’m sorry about his wife. “It’s the hardest thing that has happened to me in my life,” he said.
He is called to the window to complete his registration. He doesn’t have all the documents needed to prove inability to pay for
services provided, so he will have to come back. I offer him a care note on losing someone close and let him know I heard what he
shared.

He hugs me and says, “That means so much. I only have a brother left. My mom and dad are gone. But my brother said I was
better without her. My brother saying that makes it hurt more. I so wanted a family. I don’t have any family now.”

His eyes fill with tears. “She committed suicide. I have so many feelings of grief and wondering what I could have done. We were
together ten years; married seven.”

We talk about the complexity of his grief. I affirm that his grief is an expression of love. We talk about what brings healing; one
example could be taking time in nature.

He perks up, “I did that yesterday! I went for a walk in Piedmont Park. I walked for hours, and it brought back beautiful
memories of going on hikes, sharing picnics and the good times. It was the best I felt in months!”

I told him his experience was a beautiful gift from his wife! A chance to know she is at peace. A time to savor the good memories
they made.

He shares some other things about wanting to get back to work and needing to know how to heal. I give him a card and welcome
him to call if he wants to talk more.

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