I didn’t want to take the case. I had done a case similar to this before and I didn’t like it. In addition to this, the patient also lived clear across town. In home health it is smart to stay close to home in relation to your patients. That way you can take more patients and do a better job because you are not in a rush all of the time.

I read a bit of history on this patient and it seemed as if he had a problem with depression. He had lost a child several years back and understandably could not get past that. I started praying for this guy.

I finally relented and took the case but I told my agency it would only be the admission, I would do nothing more for this case.

When I first met him I thought he was remarkable. He did struggle with depression but there was no bitterness for all of the health problems he had to battle on a daily basis. He could have sued because his case had been mishandled in many ways, but he chose not to go down that path. By the end of the admit I really liked the guy. I told my agency I wanted to do more than just the admit, I wanted to do all of the visits and not to give him to anyone other than me.

Pretty soon, I got him laughing. His belly would jiggle and his face would break out into the biggest grin ever. We would joke about anything and everything. It became my goal to get him to laugh at least one time every visit. I also did my job and taught him about his medication and his disease process, so I wasn’t just a comedian. (Calm down Medicare regulators, sheesh, get a life!)

There were other visits though. Sometimes we would discuss the loss of his child and the grin would disappear. Sometimes tears would be glistening in his eyes. When you care about someone it is important to allow the tears, as well as the laughter, and to know the value of silence when you hear a heart breaking. Throughout the tears and the laughter a bond of friendship was growing.

He got over his health issue and I had to discharge him as a patient. I told him the discharge was only in regards to his patient status, from now one he was one of my friends, and I had no intention of ever letting him go.

I talked to him the other day and he says that this year has been the best he has had since his child went to heaven. He usually gets real depressed during the holidays but somehow since meeting me he feels like celebrating is a possibility. In addition to me, he has also met a lovely woman whom he has deep affection for and I am thrilled that there may be a romance blossoming for him.

I know this may be weird but one of the reasons I like this guy is because he is disabled with neuropathy. He is not a social isolate but you would think I was the Queen of Egypt when I call. He is overjoyed every time I talk with him. This guy really makes me feel like I am something special.

As we were talking the other day I found out he had a birthday in December. It was the day after Christmas. My birthday is New Year’s Eve and it totally sucks to have a birthday anywhere near Jesus’ and a double whammy on New Year’s Eve because everyone has their own party. So we made a pact to celebrate our birthdays together on a day which suits both of us and I am holding him to that pact.

Because of HIPPA regulations and because I am in the health field I can not name this person. But you know who you are and I want to wish you a Happy Birthday and send you my love. We will celebrate together soon.

You have said what a difference my presence has made in your life and I always am amazed by that because I always feel like I unlocked a treasure chest full of jewels when I am around you.