A Goldilocks week - Part 1

It was quite a week– The world played the part of "Goldilocks" and I was the three bowls of porridge: one was too hot, one was not hot enough...but I ended the week with it being 'enough" to just be of service.

As a working chaplain, who supports several hospices at this point, I have many congregations.  I like to say of who an Interfaith chaplain serves:

 "I support people of any faith or no faith and all the rivers which run between those two."

I have come to think of my congregation as singular but this week has teased that idea apart for me.

First visit: too, too Christian
I visited a patient who was new to me; he was from a patriarchal culture and a faith tradition (and country...) which is not known for its progressive views on women.  He was not likely to be of a Christian faith, but I guessed wrong as did not respond to my greeting of Al Salame Mehaham.  He was reported by the team to be energetically "in denial" about his illness, and his prognosis. He was alone in this country without his family.  He had already declined a Spiritual Care visit with me over the phone and had refused the medical social worker as well.

If spiritual support is not wanted, it is, of course, his right to decline.  I usually seek to refer a patient to their own local clergy to be of support, if possible.

However, declining chaplaincy blinds the team. 
Communication can be more difficult.  Much of a chaplain's scope is about communication and being an advocate to the medical team for the patient's and family's views and preferences. 

• What is getting in the way of whole person care? 
• What might support it?

This patient was declining and the case manager made an appointment for me to show up the next morning with little explanation.  I was happy to have the opportunity to support his man.  I prepared with appropriate books, liturgy from his faith tradition - the Koran, (and the Bible just in case...) with a trinket which was not iconic: a river rock with Love engraved, and my secret weapon - homemade candied orange peels.  Gifts are a universal offering of support and a way in - to develop a relationship of care and trust.

It was a first step, which usually works.

Upon entry, the patient was confused; he did not seem to understand. It was unclear if the confusion was dementia from his disease or his command of English language.  What was seen by the team as unhappiness, and perhaps depression seemed to be a defensive stance against this confusion. By happenstance an Arabic-speaking neighbor stopped by and translated, which improved everything.  Providence, for sure was at work. It was also clear that he was not enthusiastic to talk to me, as a woman, as a "Christian" which was his view of who he saw.  However, when this neighbor translated my offering of the homemade, candied orange peels as "like life we take the bitter with the sweet...I am here to see what we might do to make this day a little sweeter for you.", the gentleman's eyes twinkled and there was a small breakthough. 

I asked him if he was Muslim. He agreed that he was.  I asked if I could I reach out to a local Imam for him, he said no but then he was inspired to lead his own prayer in Arabic which was part song and part words. 

It was beautiful and it was enough. He left our palliative care to hospice care soon after and I did not see him again.  Sometimes all you can do is begin...and it may be enough.