I was surprised that a benzodiazepine subcutaneous infusion had not been started. Despite three anti-seizure medications being used, the seizures continued.

I was surprised to receive the referral for a hospice inpatient admission as I thought the patient would’ve died a week ago.

My team was surprised that the patient could be easily roused. He had been talking to his wife and had been eating small amounts of food.

The admitting doctor was surprised when the patient said, “I see another man in the room.”

“Is it someone you know?”

“Yes, it’s Robert.”

The doctor had to pick his jaw off the floor.

Someone named Robert had died in the same room, on the same bed, only days ago.

We were even more surprised when the patient’s wife said that the late Robert had been her husband’s good friend. They had worked together for many years and had spent a lot of time with each other. When we heard this chills ran down our spines.

The idea that Robert had visited brought comfort to the patient and his wife.

Our patient joined his friend Robert on the other side only days later.