Saturday, April 4, 2009

FACING TERMINAL ILLNESS

The last few days have not been among the best ones I have lived. Two days ago I was called to the bedside of a parishioner - Theresa - who is now in the terminal stages of cancer. She thought she had conquered the big, bad 'C' with chemo and radiation but 'C' returned and is now gradually taking control of her body. Theresa is a fighter and many of us who know her are certain that she is not going without a fight. Yet, it is so sad to see her body wasting away.

She told me that she was not afraid to die - and her voice had deep conviction when she said it soon after she had received the Sacrament of Anointing and the Viaticum. But, she is sad and terrified at leaving behind her young son - Vivek - who is 10 and her doting husband - Valerian. She kept repeating to all of us present - "Take care of my Vivek and my Valerian."

Yesterday she was moved to a hospice for the terminally ill where I am told she is at peace with some top-class palliative care. She is relaxed and peaceful, feeling much better and stronger. But we know it is a matter of time.

Questions keep cropping up - the regular kind that afflicts the human mind when faced with innocent suffering and premature death. "WHY LORD?"

For now there are no answers - we can just live the questions...and in the meantime here is a beautiful poem that was sent to me...Yes, He who walks on water can calm the stormy seas of our life. Amen.

No comments:

WELCOME PEOPLE....RELAX...READ ON...