"George" III

I've talked about "George" a couple times before. He lives at the facility with his wife Maxine. George has severe Alzheimer's disease.

About 3 weeks ago we had a nasty stomach virus spread through the facility. At highest count 21 people were suffering with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The elderly have a hard time with these types of viruses. Most are already dehydrated, or close to it. They have a hard time bouncing back from something as simple as a common cold.

George suffered with the virus for a week.

I called his family, late night on a Wednesday urging them to make and appointment to be seen by his primary physician. Thursday night I made the same call.

George was admitted to the hospital that Friday. He had lost 17 pounds. He was weak, dehydrated, very confused.

George remains in the hospital. Maxine told me last night that it isn't looking very hopeful. George is slowly slipping away.

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Maxine is coping. She sits in her apartment with her thoughts. I try and set aside extra time for her on my med pass just to listen. She's saying goodbye...and her thoughts need to be heard. She has a wonderful family but at times she has questions, hard ones about illness and passing. I suppose it's hard for her to discuss with her children.

I think of swans. They mate for life. If they lose their mate, they float aimlessly in the water...searching.

A human life is a story told by God.

-Hans Christian Andersen-