Medicate to death

Medicate to Death

“I am sorry to tell you, you have a disease.

We will put you on treatment, with no guarantees.”

“Radiation initially, we will do every day,

and then possibly chemo, if things go our way.”

The first few not so bad – “You are doing great!”

But skin burning a bit, area starting to ache.

“Go buy this lotion, and to help ease your pain,

we will give you some Oxy – we must be humane!”

Week number three – “You are feeling a mess?”

"Managing this? Yes, I’m under some stress.”

“Here’s a prescription for Ativan to help calm your mind,

and you should take these laxatives to ease your behind.”

“We need more blood work, we need a PET scan -

we must start chemo as soon as we possibly can.”

The Port is inserted and the cycles begun

Your body toxic from this *medication*

“Now your stomach upset and you are feeling depressed?

Prilosec you must take to assist you digest.”

“This prescription for Celexa will ease your depression,

and some as needed Zofran to use at your discretion.”

More time passes, not feeling much better...

But following instructions, right down to the letter.

“Pervasive malaise, losing weight and dry heaves?

We can put you on steroids to ease the disease.”

“The assistant reported your BP was high,

we will give you lisinopril or else you may die.”

“The lab has determined your cholesterol is elevated,

you will also take Lipitor to help keep it abated.”

Hair falling out and often feeling quit ill...

Try to cope daily, can’t pay the bills

“But you are alive - isn’t that all that matters?”

But such a life of poor quality - all that’s loved is in tatters?!?!?

“We have more medications to quell the effects,

symptom control is really all to expect.”

“I am concerned for your low Vitamin D,

you must take every day - get at pharmacy!”

“Also buy calcium to prevent bones too thin,

and just for good measure grab a multivitamin.”

“Such a good job doing all as advised!”

But inevitably, more problems arise

A fall, an infection, shortness of breath, or a cold

A slow downward path as disease keeps its hold

“What did you expect as your condition advanced?

Quality and comfort? There’s a very slim chance.”

“Prolonging your life is the best we can do...

So here is your flu shot – you don’t want the flu!”

Dizzy and tired, more infections, still depressed?

“We will write more prescriptions and get this addressed.”

“This med is called Meclizine, dizziness what it is for,

and we’ll increase your Celexa just a little bit more.”

“The infection you have Macrobid will correct,

and buy some B vitamins to pep up your step.”

“We’ll give you something for your shortness of breath,

Lasix every day may help prevent death.”

“Now feeling forgetful - a little confused?

We’ll get you on Aricept, we’ve got nothing to lose.”

Life centered on doctors, disease, medications to measure

Gone are the days when life was a pleasure

And slowly it goes, onward to death’s door

A life that was taken a VERY long time before

And then at the funeral – “Such a wonderful soul.”

“The disease too aggressive, we just could not control.”