In a sentence, what does a chaplain do?
Numerous times I have been asked what my role in the hospital
is. In other words, people have asked me what a chaplain does in a hospital
setting.I would say my job is to show up in the hospital and support patients as they deal with health uncertainties.
Chaplains in hospitals spend time listening to patients,
providing them counsel by giving them a listening ear and offer some
reflections, on the issues they face.
On a normal day, I would come into the office and print
out a list of patients on the floors I usually cover. Then I look at the chart
notes and kind of figure out which patients I really need to see and who among
them need argent attention.
On my printed list of patients to see this day, are among
them referrals from other health care workers. Before this visit, I had made
multiple contacts with other patients in the Unit which I would consider as
routine and regular visits on a normal day.
However little did I know that by next visit would be
different and very important for Mr. Walker (Not his real name).
Today is Tuesday and Mr. Walker has been in hospital
since Thursday of previous week. As usual I knocked and entered the room as I
called his name. Like many other visits, Mr. Walker answered by asking me to
come in. Mr. Walker is sited on a chair. On his bedside desk, he has a laptop
computer which made me assume that he was busy either working from hospital bed
or watching a movie which is common with most patients.
Upon introduction, Mr. Walker made it clear that he had
not make any request for a chaplain stating that he is "Okay". To my
surprise I noticed that as he was stating that he is okay, he was moving his
laptop computer to the side, which I interpreted as him saying, "Welcome I
need to talk."
My interpretation of Mr. Walker's action and gesture, led
me to ask him if he would mind if I sit down. Mr. Walker graciously offered me
the opportunity to make myself comfortable.
No sooner had I sat down, Mr. Walker asked me if I were
from any particular church. I certainly
sensed that he is taking control of this visit, which to me was a plus, since
he did not anticipate a visit from a chaplain or to use his works, “did not
make a request for chaplain.” On a professional level I was aware that this
visit is not about me but him, I allowed him to take initial lead to build
report with him.
Mr. Walker is a practicing Episcopalian married to a
Roman Catholic wife- Dianna (not her real name). For over 20 years, they have
been attending the Episcopal Church and the Roman Church, interchangeably.
However Mr. Walker mentioned that, that practice has stopped after both he and
his wife realized that sermons in these two churches are similar or close and
they agreed to be Episcopalians. This arrangement works well for both of them,
he noted.
However, there is only one thing Mr. Walker laments about;
recently he has lost his favorite Episcopal Priest through transfer. As he
explains how close he and the Priest were, I could tell he was becoming
emotional.
Mr. Walker opens up at this time letting me know that since
the transfer of his Priest, he has no confidant to whom he could share any
sensitive matter such as his health condition and his fears and worries.
Mr. Walker narrated how drastically his life has changed
since he retired from a refutable oil company 2 years ago where he worked as seismic
and ground negotiator. I must confess that at this time I have no idea why he was in
the hospital, and I left it up to him to let me know when he felt comfortable to
do so.
Upon probing him, he explains that he has suffered a chronic
heart failure, as result of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery he had less than a
year ago. He made it clear that his heart failure is the reason he is
in hospital the last 5 days. He made it clear that his prognosis is very poor.
He further said that he has a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, faulty
heart valves, coronary artery disease, inherited heart defects and damaged or
inflamed heart.
As I listened to Mr. Walker I kept on wondering whether
he is as sick as he says he is. He seemed normal and “upbeat” not to mention his
jovial mode. Mr. Walker was seemingly looking better than the picture he
painted of himself.
I offered my listening skill, probing him when needed,
asked questions and clarifications; never mention why I had come
to his room.
I had come in Mr. Walker’s room to help him execute a
Medical Power of Attorney, an order placed by one of his physician. By the time I introduced the reason for this
visit, Mr. Walker had shared his life’s journey for over an hour. However, he
made it clear that he has a Medical Power of Attorney in place but he never
brought a copy to the hospital.
Mr. Walker volunteered to call his wife ask her bring a
copy of his already executed Medical Power of Attorney. After explaining to him that it is not necessary,
he said that she is coming later in the day besides he want her see a letter he
wrote to her prior to coming to hospital which was according to him in the same
folder as the copy of his Medical Power of Attorney. He said that this was an
opportunity for her to find the letter since he had no intention of telling
her he has written it.
Prior to coming to hospital, he had written a Will since
he was not sure he will go back home. In the Will he had explained Dianna his
wife how to balance family retirement finances and most importantly he had said
his goodbyes to a woman he has lived with for 43 years.
Mr. Walker excused himself to make that important call to
Dianna. I could tell from the direction he is giving her on where to find the
copy of his executed Medical Power of Attorney that he knows where all his
documents are and or he is intentionally directing her to where she can for the
Will. This was a clear indication that he was prepared in case it happens that
he would die.
After hanging up the phone with his wife, Mr. Walker
laments that his wife may have it rough if he die, saying that she does not have
interest of learning how to run things around the house like book keeping.
I felt comfortable to end this visit knowing that Mr.
Walker has unloaded himself, discussing his fears, worries, frustrations and
concerns. I promised him to check on him following day.Later the following day, Mr. Walker called the office spoke to my supervisor and indicated to him that him and I had a very productive visit and he would want me visit if time allows.
Watch for the next visit with him in this blog