It’s possible that very soon my friend, Gladys, will be called home. Poison in her system cannot be contained. Her kidneys are shutting down. Her lungs are weary. She is in pain. My friend is impatient to go home, yet — a faithful servant of God to the end — she does not ask anyone to send her before her time.
What Gladys does ask is that she be kept as pain-free as possible. In an article I wrote years ago, I quoted Dr. Matthew Conolly. He acknowledged that the greatest fear of most patients — and, thus, the reason that “mercy killing” or euthanasia grows ever popular — is pain. Too many physicians believe their most important role is to heal or cure. When they cannot, the patient may become a reminder of the doctor’s “failure.” At such times, some physicians abandon the patient. What they could do, as Dr. Conolly pointed out, is learn the art of caring for the patient even when the prognosis is not good. What they could do is to learn the art of pain control. Appropriate pain control does not hasten death, but brings dignity to both patient and family.
Today, my friend’s daughter — my dear friend, Rita — is talking to the hospital chaplain and hospice care workers. Rita does not want to decide when her mother should die. That is up to God. But, she does want to do all she can to keep her mother comfortable.
I am reminded of a story I’ve shared when speaking about end-of-life issues. A pastor’s wife, in her battle against cancer, was undergoing extensive treatment. She was placed on a rubber cooling blanket to keep her temperature down. It was very uncomfortable. “I don’t know if I can stand this,” she told her husband. “If you cannot,” he told her, “tell the nurses you want to discontinue this treatment.” Then, anxious and exhausted, he left to get a few hours sleep. When he returned, he was greeted by a nurse. “Boy, does you wife have something to tell you.” The pastor rushed in to his wife’s room where he found her smiling. “What happened?” he asked. “It was wonderful,” she said. Sometime after you left, I could bear it no more. I prayed that God lift me from this suffering. And, you know what? Angels appeared. I felt warm; snug as a bug. I slept.”
Does God know our pain? Does He hear us when we ask for comfort? For strength to endure? For courage? Think about Jesus as He was preparing to take on the sins of the world. On the night He was betrayed, He took His disciples with Him to the garden. He told them, “Do not fall into temptation, but pray.” Then He went off by Himself. He was in anguish. His sweat was like drops of blood. “Father,” He prayed, “if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Do you know what happened? An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. (Luke 22:39-43)
When our physicians cannot heal, may we encourage them to comfort. To seek better pain control.
And, when we feel that we are falling into temptation — ready to ask someone to end our life and send us on our way home — may we, instead, call upon the Great Physician. The One who knows pain. Who carried sorrow. Who endured every whip and lash for our benefit. If God heard the plea of His own dear Son, Jesus Christ, and sent an angel to strengthen Him, won’t He also hear us? Won’t He give us exactly what we need, when we need it, until His work through us is done?
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