Dealing with a possible death in the family.

If you are wondering about this blog post – don’t. I didn’t have time to reflect on and write one. It’s because I’m caring for an elderly parent. She became non-responsive on Tuesday morning, September 27, 2013. I called 911 and they dispatched a police officer and paramedics. The only thing the officer really did was asked to see the over the counter meds she took. That’s only when the paramedics asked first. I showed the officer but the paramedics didn’t need to see them.

Julian of Norwich (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Currently, she is in Central Dupage Hospital. Her diagnosis is she had a cardiac arrest due to stomach bleeding. It’s an excellent hospital and I visit her daily, with my female cousin and her family. She’s unresponsive in the ICU on life support.

From a medical standpoint, doctors feel neurological damage will occur, after cardiac arrest for 15 minutes. I have asked everyone I know for spiritual prayers and healing. I’ve also asked the hospital chaplains to stop by each day. I did make some inquires from friends in Christian Science and Bruno Groening Circle of friends. I wanted to know if their case archives included healings for similar cases like this. They were affirmative.

What helps me get by is the Christian mystics Julian of Norwich, Meister Eckhart, and Jakob Böhme. Quite an eclectic combination, mind you. Julian had a quote she heard from God. It goes like this: “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.” TV minister Joel Osteen would probably let me use this as a statement of faith. So I use it as a prayer.

I classify myself as a Christian inclusivist, like the Roman Catholic Church, the Seventh Day Adventists and many mainstream Protestant theologians. But the words to Julian may hint at universal reconciliation. I hold this out as a hope, like many Eastern Orthodox do.

Combining the medical and spiritual healing is interesting. Someone referred me to the book Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander. It has gotten over 6000 review ratings on Amazon, with a four out of five-star rating. I have contacted my local public library. They will get a copy from another library for me.

In medicine, folks look at the spiritual side different ways. Christian Scientists don’t see it as really necessary. Native Americans, however, have no trouble combining modern medicine with ancient healing ceremonies. When I once inquired about this, I was told the ceremonies make the medicines heal better. Perhaps that what is happening with the Brazilian healer called John of God – don’t know.

Jakob Böhme (anonymous portrait) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Anyway, the doctors are looking for immediate response (i.e. Within a matter of a few days). I don’t know what will happen. But I can tell you she has the best of medical and spiritual care.