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The Power of Being Present
Sacred Stories | The Power of Being Present
"Listen to advice and instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.” - Proverbs 19: 20
As a palliative medicine nurse coordinator, I have the privilege of being with dying patients and their families. I remember a patient in her mid-40s, who was dying of metastatic cancer. Her husband had cared for her throughout her illness.
He listened as the physician and I explained the situation. His wife’s disease had advanced to the point where no treatments or medicines could make her better, and she was nearing the end of her life. We asked him the question we always ask: “From your perspective, what is the best care possible for her now?”
Without hesitation, he said he wanted her to have comfort and peace, and to be relieved of pain, shortness of breath and anxiety. He agreed with our medical recommendation of comfort-focused treatment and medication.
Then he said, “The chaplain came earlier this morning; she spoke with us and read some words from a book. This sounds weird, but I felt a weight lift off my chest. After that, I was able to tell my wife that it will be OK; that she can rest and get ready to see her grandmother again. Since then, I’ve been at peace.”
Each time I visited the patient’s room that day, her husband’s talk would circle back to how the chaplain’s visit brought him peace, even in the midst of grief. It helped him cope with what was to come. I believe that retelling the story was his expression of gratitude.
As medical professionals, we’re often focused on the right treatment or medication to help our patients, which is necessary to provide the best care. In times like this I’m reminded that in the art and science of medicine, it’s things like being present, listening, and (sometimes) letting things be without striving for a fix that are vitally important. These are sometimes what makes a significant difference for patients, their families, and ourselves.
Submitted by Deborah Rivera, RN.
Questions for Reflection
How do you attend to the needs of patients – body, mind, and spirit?
When was the last time you made a referral to a chaplain to address the spiritual needs of a patient?
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By EthicsLab
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Sacred Stories | The Power of Being Present
"Listen to advice and instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.” - Proverbs 19: 20
As a palliative medicine nurse coordinator, I have the privilege of being with dying patients and their families. I remember a patient in her mid-40s, who was dying of metastatic cancer. Her husband had cared for her throughout her illness.
He listened as the physician and I explained the situation. His wife’s disease had advanced to the point where no treatments or medicines could make her better, and she was nearing the end of her life. We asked him the question we always ask: “From your perspective, what is the best care possible for her now?”
Without hesitation, he said he wanted her to have comfort and peace, and to be relieved of pain, shortness of breath and anxiety. He agreed with our medical recommendation of comfort-focused treatment and medication.
Then he said, “The chaplain came earlier this morning; she spoke with us and read some words from a book. This sounds weird, but I felt a weight lift off my chest. After that, I was able to tell my wife that it will be OK; that she can rest and get ready to see her grandmother again. Since then, I’ve been at peace.”
Each time I visited the patient’s room that day, her husband’s talk would circle back to how the chaplain’s visit brought him peace, even in the midst of grief. It helped him cope with what was to come. I believe that retelling the story was his expression of gratitude.
As medical professionals, we’re often focused on the right treatment or medication to help our patients, which is necessary to provide the best care. In times like this I’m reminded that in the art and science of medicine, it’s things like being present, listening, and (sometimes) letting things be without striving for a fix that are vitally important. These are sometimes what makes a significant difference for patients, their families, and ourselves.
Submitted by Deborah Rivera, RN.
Questions for Reflection
How do you attend to the needs of patients – body, mind, and spirit?
When was the last time you made a referral to a chaplain to address the spiritual needs of a patient?
Share this Story
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare by Mail
Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by admin...