CLINICAL PASTORAL ORIENTATION

Adventist Medical Center Manila

Chaplain: J.M.T. Verbatim No: 1

Supervisor: J.F. Visit No: 1
Venue: OB Ward -9 Time: 5:30 PM
Date: November 22, 2018 Duration: 30 min.

INFORMATION:
Mrs: R.C., 52, is a married woman and a Roman Catholic. She resides in Malibay, Pasay City. She
was admitted on November 19, 2018 due to 1 year history of abdominal mass. The patient is a
diagnosed case of Myoma Uteri (from the medical chart), and she just undergone a scheduled surgery
(TAHBSO) 2 days ago for which she tolerated well.

PASTORAL PLAN:
To be with the patient, to listen to her feelings and pains regarding her illness and to pray for
her healing.

OBSERVATIONS:
The patient is comfortably sleeping on her bed with her husband sitting next to her. She was
fairly nourished with fair complexion; well-groomed with her well kempt hair.

THE VISIT:
C1: Good afternoon, Maam!
P1: (Woke up). Good afternoon too! (With a smile)

C2: I am J.M.T. a PGI from the Chaplaincy office. How are you?
P2: I am R.C. (smiling).

C3: This is not an ordinary visit as it’s not the usual that I do. I came here to listen to you to whatever
you want to share regarding your life, your problems and concerns.
P3: Of course! Thank you for your visit. (Smiles)

C4: You look comfortable and at ease. What do you want to share?
P4: Yes, because I undergone a surgery. I still feel weak, but I hope I can recover and come back to my
family.

C5: I’m happy for you. I really hope you recover soon. What else do you feel?
P5: I feel happy but also sad because I left my children at home. I still think of them, even though most
of them are grown-ups.

C6: It’s really the instinct of a parent to think about their family who’s away from them.
P6: Yes, I know that they are responsible especially in taking care for their younger siblings; however I
can’t take away to feel worry about them. I also think of financial needs that we need every day.
C7: You definitely love your family, especially your children. How about your husband? What can you say
about him?
P7: He’s very hardworking man. He’s a jeepney driver, the main source of our family’s income comes
from his daily salary as a driver. However he just resumed to work yesterday because he had to support
me as I undergo my operation. (Teary eyed). I felt alone last night, as I was told that a male watcher is
not allowed to accompany me last night. So I have to wait for my daughter in-law to come over and to
watch over me. I really appreciate it.

C8: He’s definitely a hardworking father and a loving husband to his family. You also have a good
relationship with your daughter in-law.
P8: Yes he is (smiling) and yes I have a good relationship with the two of them. (With her husband
smiling on the background).

C9: What do you think that caused your illness?

P9: Actually I have no idea, since I have no relatives with this kind of illness; I think I’m the only one in
the family. I don’t have a chronic illness, however I drink alcohol occasionally, I’m not sure if there’s a
relationship. Until I felt some symptoms that most probably caused by my enlarging mass that’s why I
consulted.

C10: Oh I see, so what do you feel when you knew about your illness? What do you feel when you were
told that you will undergo a surgery?
P10: I was surprised. I was afraid of what will happen to me. But then I think of facing it for my family.

C11: You definitely have chosen the right decision. Can I ask you, what is your religion?
P11: I’m a Roman Catholic. I go to church in our place in Malibay (Pasay). I admit I wasn’t able to attend
on a regular basis. But I believe and have faith in God that He will heal me from this illness.

C12: Yes, indeed He is a merciful God and the Greatest physician. Can I offer you a prayer now? (She
happily said yes). We prayed together. Thank you for you time to share. I will go now. But I will see you
again.
P12: Thank you so much! Thank you for your prayers. (Smiling)

ANALYSIS:

THE PATIENT:

Theological Concerns:
The patient talks comfortably especially when she talked about her relationship with God. She
said she believed in God to heal her illness and I felt the faith on the way she shared. I saw it in her eyes
that believed in Him. Though she was worried about her family’s needs and her health condition, she
look forward on that day when she will recover and come back to her family as healthy as she was and
be with them as they face life’s challenges together.
Psychological Concerns:
The patient was very open about her feelings about her illness. The patient welcomed my visit
even though she was still weak and recovering from her surgery. She looked optimistic about her
surgery and her family.

Sociological Concerns:
The patient expresses love and appreciation towards his husband for his sacrifice and care. She
also commend her daughter in-law for watching over her while she was in need of assistance. She
definitely have a good personal relationship not only with her immediate family members but also with
her in-laws.

THE CHAPLAIN:
I felt comfortable as I entered and approached the patient. I even felt good when she responded
with a smile after I woke her up just to talk to her. Our conversation was smooth until the time when her
eyes got teary as she talked what she felt of being alone in the room in C7, where she can’t be
accompanied by her husband and her son. I just let her have that moment, and explained why it’s the
policy. But overall I think I did fine. I just think I can talk to her and ask her to elaborate some points.
Probably on the next visit I can facilitate it and apply it.

PASTORAL OPPORTUNITIES:
To visit R.N. again and listen to her feelings about her illness as she face it and remind her that
God is a merciful Father who cares and loves us.

THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION:
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippines 4:13