Angel House

The gray-haired man sitting next to Sam reached over, and touched his shoulder. "I know what you’re saying. But, what you have to realize, is that she’s not as far along in accepting your wife’s impending death. Your wife’s lucky to have a husband who loves her so much, that he’ll stand by her in such circumstances. Every pain your wife feels, you feel also. Stick by her side. Her mother will deal with it in her own time. All that’s important now is for your wife to see death in her own terms."

All nodded in agreement with the old man. I thought he truly was wise.

"How are you doing, Ann?" Carmen questioned.

"Well, this is my first day here. It’s been quite an experience. I’ve never been so overloaded mentally and emotionally in my life. I mean, everyone discussed death with such openness and freedom. I’m nowhere ready to see my Mom die. My Mom, Stella, has been fighting breast cancer since January. She’s had surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. But, it just keeps spreading. She was just told yesterday that it was no use to continue on with her fight. I felt like the doctors had just sucked us dry, then threw us out. How could they just stop everything like that with no warning? Stella handled it great, but I want to hit someone - anyone. The rug had been pulled out from under me. I’ve been off and on family medical leave from work these last couple of months helping her fight - now this. I can’t believe this is happening. I’m mad at the doctors and hospital. And, forgive me, but I’m mad at Mom, too. I feel she’s let me down." I broke into tears, my anger flooding out. "I’m so ashamed. She’s dying, and all I can think of right now is how I’ve wasted all this time. Why does she want to give up and die? Doesn’t she see that Dad and I need her?"