Two Deaths By Esther M. Bandy
Have you ever sat at the bedside of someone who was dying? I have. When my beloved husband was dying of cancer, I was there, heartbroken at the thought of living the rest of my life on earth without him. But I was also thankful that when he left this earthly life, he’d be in heaven with Jesus. He’s there now. He’s no longer suffering, and he’s happier than he’s ever been. I’m thankful that one day I’ll be there too. When I was a hospice nurse, I cared for many death-imminent patients. I tried to keep them comfortable and help them and their families prepare as much as possible for death. Afterward, I pronounced my patient dead, notified the doctor, and comforted the family. Then I contacted the funeral home and prepared the body to be taken to the funeral home. Working as a hospice nurse was the most challenging, heartbreaking, and at times rewarding job in my nursing career. Sometimes I cared for people for months before they died. It was comforting to know that some made professions of faith in the Lord Jesus, and they looked forward to eternity with Christ. But it was heartbreaking that others rejected Christ. Many were afraid to die, and some were still searching for something to believe in. If they were willing to listen, I shared the gospel with them. It was a blessing when some received Christ before they died. One week, as I watched several patients pass from this world into eternity, I was struck by the differences between those who knew Jesus and clung to the hope of heaven and those who had rejected God’s gift of salvation. I thought about the contrast and wrote “Two Deaths.” 40 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 40
Two Deaths One night, my patient died. In my notes, I wrote, “Attended death. Family members and nurse at bedside. Respirations ceased. Unable to obtain pulse or blood pressure. Pronounced at 3 a.m.” In my heart I know, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15 KJV) In my notes, I wrote, “Doctor and funeral home notified. Family members comforted.” With my lips I quote, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV) In my notes, I wrote, “Family members coping well.” My spirit sings, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55 KJV) Thank you, Lord, for the joy of knowing that my patient is your child and is with you forever. Another night, another patient died. In my notes, I wrote, “Attended death. Family members and nurse at bedside. Respirations ceased. Unable to obtain pulse or blood pressure. Pronounced at 6 p.m.” In my heart I know, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27 KJV)
