Old Unit; new Unit
Some staff liked the old palliative care unit better than the new one.
They said it was cozy. That it felt warm and friendly.
She always thought it was somber and seemed old and a bit worn down.
She loved the new unit with its larger rooms, and light, and wonderful view.
She liked the open spaces where you could chat with others.
She felt proud of this unit.
But when she thought about the old unit and her last shifts there, she thought about him.
A well-dressed man who wanted to be a part of all of the decisions made about his care.
He had been a volunteer on the unit for 20 years and had started the popular coffee program which still runs on Thursdays.
Many people knew him on the unit. He was even featured in a poster for volunteers which was propped outside of his room.
She told him about the move and that he would have to move to the new unit. He loved this unit. He had been a part of it for so long and he said he would rather die on this unit.
This he did.
He had loved this unit as a volunteer and wanted to stay on the unit as a patient.
As she moves through the new unit, a part of his legacy is here too. The volunteers he mentored and the program he started.
