The resident returns to talk with Mrs. Green. He advises her that he spoke with Dr. Richards, her oncologist, and he indicated that her current treatment wasn’t working and more chemotherapy was probably not going to be helpful. The following conversation occurs:
Resident: “What are you most concerned about, Mrs. Green?”
Mrs. G: “I have been concerned about how sick I have been getting since the last chemo, and my daughter says I just have to keep fighting and keep praying and give it to God to take care of healing me. She wants me to keep the faith.”
Resident: “And how do you feel about this?”
Mrs. Green:“That is a good question. I know God will take care of me, but I don’t want to let my daughter down. She is convinced that a miracle will happen, but I am so tired…but I also I don’t want God to think I am losing faith in Him either.”
Resident: “That must be hard, feeling like you don’t want to let your daughter down or God down. I know your faith is important to you. Do you think it might be helpful if I asked the hospital chaplain to come by and speak with you about this?”
Ms. Green: “I have my own pastor, from my church, but yes, it might be good for me to talk with someone from the hospital too.”
Resident: “I’ll ask the chaplain to come by and speak with you, and Diane, the social worker, is setting up a family meeting for us all to go over things together.”
Reasons for Pastoral Referral
“Caregivers need to remain vigilant for clues of spiritual and existential suffering that warrant referral to pastoral or psychological counseling.”
- Okon,T. Spiritual, Religious and Existential Aspects of Palliative Care, J of Palliative Medicine, April 1, 2005