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Brandi
Dudley
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
We
are of the Protestant faith.
My mother is 65 and has had health problems for sometime
now. Recently she has undergone anguish from bitter family
members. She has seen her wonderful doctor for about 8
years now and today, when she went to see him, he made
the sign of the cross before he left the room. It was as
if he was doing it for her because he was standing right
in front of her. He has never done this before.
She asked him what that was for and he just smiled.
Was what he did significant because he could sense
her inner struggle?
Brandi
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{
Do
you know why a doctor would make the sign of the cross
in from of my ailing mother? }
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Eric
replied:
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Hi, Brandi —
It's not clear to me why your doctor did this. Perhaps
one of my colleagues will have a thought but I
really don't think anyone can say for certain.
There are no Catholic customs (to my knowledge) that
would call for this. I can see a doctor doing this
if a patient is about to die but that doesn't seem
consistent with the situation.
Eric
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Mike
replied:
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Hi, Brandi —
I'm as confused, as my colleague Eric.
I'm assuming that your mother and her doctor only
talk about health issues when they get together.
- If they don't talk about faith issues, which
is kind of normal, I don't understand his actions.
- If they are blessed to have an open dialogue
on Christian principles and practices, I'm still
confused because all doctors should be open with
their patients on any issue related to the patient's
health.
In my personal opinion, an unexpected
non-verbal, smile and sign of the cross doesn't
cut it compared to open dialogue and verbal communication
for a good doctor.
Take the initiative: call and ask him directly,
what, if anything, he meant. Then follow-up and ask
him if there are any health issues your mother has,
that you and your mother should be aware of.
Hope this helps,
Mike
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Brandi
replied:
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Thank you for answering.
I wonder if he might be
thinking that my mom is going to die.
Blessings and Honor,
Brandi Dudley
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Eric
replied:
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Hi Brandi,
That would be the only explanation I could think
of, but it seems unusual since you didn't mention
that your mother was in imminent danger of death,
and it would seem inappropriate for me when asked
why he did it, to respond with a smile in this situation.
If she's in danger of death, as a doctor, it's his
responsibility to be forthright and tell you openly,
not to be coy.
Eric
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Brandi
replied:
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Thanks
Eric,
I appreciate this service.
Brandi
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