Behind the Scenes - Can you see them?

I recently was transporting a patient who was dying. She was in her 90s and it was just her time, I think it was her kidneys that finally failed her. The reason I will never forget her is because of how she behaved. Every once and awhile a smile would spread across her face and she would stare behind me, as she reached up toward her gaze she would sigh as if the world was lifted off her shoulders. Then suddenly she would return to her present situation, her face became sunken and foggy. This happened several times during my time with her, I asked her who she was reaching for and she told me it was her husband who had died 50 years earlier, he was there waiting for her.

I immediately chalked it up to all the meds she was on and so did everyone else. Whatever it was, the change on her face when this happened was a transformation I will never forget.

As first responders we're front and centre in the biggest show there is. Most people only get to be in it once and it's usually at the end of their life, we get to be in it all the time. I wonder what's going on behind the scenes if anything. That was my motivation for this piece. There's a lot going on in this image. I'm curious to see what your interpretation will be and if any of you have had similar experiences with your patients.

Respectfully,
DanSun

BehindtheScenesAll photos by Daniel Sundahl