During my time as pastor I had the opportunity to visit with many who suddenly became very sick and their health situation escalated into the (sometimes long) process of dying. However, in almost each one of the situations I can clearly remember that the task of the health profession was not to bring necessarily closure (not only to make dying comfortable) , but to employ a giant maze of tests, prescribe mountains of medicine, etc. and to see the patient as one of the "cases". . . with the result of no changes in the condition of the patient.
I recently visited with an individual who was diagnosed with cancer about one year ago. After a period of radiation and chemotherapy the cancer was still progressing. The individual (by now very weak) finally asked the doctor, if the body was giving up. . . . and to the individuals amazement the doctor did not answer. That leaves the question: Do we not deserve to know? Why are we so afraid to bring peace to us in knowing that life will end?
As a pastor I feel that our healthcare system is too (only) task oriented and is unable to see the whole person. Have we as society lost our ability to deal with death? Are we (the health profession) not able to tell those who suffer that "Yes we can do 'that radiation and that treatment' but the chances of healing are slim!"I more and more get the feeling that many in the health profession work the giant machine of medicine as an industry, rather then one of the healing mechanisms. So, that leaves the question: "What is our Christian response to a system that (I feel) takes advantage of those who are confronted with the reality of life and death?
What have been your experiences and how do you feel about the subject as a pastor, patient . . . ?
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