ABSTRACT
The patient is admitted to the hospice for respite. Whilst there the analyst made visits, holding to the time boundary of the sessions. A dream starkly reveals acceptance of death. Arrangements are made for privacy during these hospice sessions. The patient was refusing medication the analyst consults colleagues about this and is then able to interpret his refusal and encourage him to accept it. The analyst makes contact with the hospice team so that everyone is working together and informed. Different types of depression are discussed when the patient raises the question ‘what is an appropriate level of anxiety at a time like this?’ The patient asks the analyst to speak for him when he is unable to speak for himself. This was discussed as it was for him to make that wish known. Friends who clearly cared about him were now visiting him.
