Lynne was in her late 70s, living alone in an assisted living facility and was in hospice care.  I visited her regularly to perform Comfort Touch (Comfort Touch is akin to gentle acupressure on the hands and feet, used to help patients suffering from anxiety, pain or just loneliness).  While Lynne had lived in Colorado for over 40 years, she was originally from Cape Cod and enjoyed sharing fond memories from the Cape. 

 After returning from my own trip to Cape Cod to visit my sister, I arrived at Lynne’s room to perform Comfort Touch and was greeted at the door to her room by her son, DJ.  DJ told me that Lynne had not eaten in several days and had been unresponsive for the last three days. He then said, “I’m not sure Comfort Touch will do much good at this point.”  I shared with him that even though a patient appears unresponsive, they may be more present and aware than they seem.  DJ replied, “If you think it could help, please feel free”.

I entered the room and found Lynne in bed, unresponsive and exhibiting labored breathing.  I quietly pulled up a chair, took Lynne’s hand in mine, told her that it was me and that I would be performing comfort touch on her, just like we had been doing for the last few months.   As I gently pressed and released the spots between her knuckles, on her palms and feet, I talked to Lynne about my trip to the Cape.  I described how beautiful the hydrangeas were, how aromatic honeysuckle bushes were and how I sat on the beach at dusk, digging my feet into the soft sand and listened to the waves crashing on the shore.  I also described watching the sandpipers run away from the advancing waves at the water’s edge. I shared how amazing it was to feel the humid ocean air on my skin and what a welcomed change that was from the dryness we experience here in Colorado. 

 Once I finished the comfort touch, with Lynne’s left hand in mine, I whispered in her ear “Lynne, I’m going to go now”.  As I said my goodbye, Lynne squeezed my hand, as if to say, “Thank you!”

Lynne died peacefully the following day.