I came to see a patient of mine who, God bless her is over 100 years of age.  Physically, she appears no older than 70 or so.  At age 92, she had come to me with an endstage arthritis in her right hip.  We discussed the options, and she decided to have it fixed.  At the time, she said she was very active and wanted to remain that way; the use of a wheelchair or being bedridden was anathema to her.  The orthopedist, back then was somewhat taken aback.  "Matt, she's 92, you know.......how long does she have to live?  Is it worth doing the hip surgery?"  I assured him that she thought the situation through and understood the risks but insisted on proceeding.  She did great, and now, ten years later, she had been walking easily on it.  She was admitted a few days ago with a minor heart rhythm disturbance with a rapid rate.  Today, I came in.  An aide with her stated that she was short of breath, and in and out of lucid consciousness.  "She has been praying all night; she hasn't slept."  

I began to talk with her.  Clearly she was decompensating.  I had an instinctual feeling of death approaching.  I spoke with her, tried to offer some comfort to make her more comfortable.  "I was told to pray, " she told me, "and I haven't stopped praying."  "Who told you to pray?" I asked.  "You know, I'm not sure....last night....a man...."   She wandered off, but had the distinct impression that an important person/figure communicated to her, and with her worsening shortness of breath, she continued to pray as I examined her.  

I'm not sure what to make of this exchange.  I don't think it was someone in her family or a hospital worker. Yet, I don't have an explanation for it.  I have heard of communications of patients around the time of an impending death with deceased loved ones - examples of this in my own family and in my work have been few, but impressive.

I tried to comfort her, and she smiled.  I felt I got through on a person to person level, and her gravity lifted for a bit.  

She was not afraid, but the need to pray was powerful.  I'm not sure, but I think this may have been a true ADC or NDE equivalent.

Matthew

Hi Matthew,

Prayer is more powerful and positive than meditation and can ease her transition into the afterlife. I will join you in praying for this dear lady. The figure she saw was the "Being of Light” who is preparing her for her journey into eternity and joy.

alan

Matthew...
I have no reason to believe she was not told to pray.
By whom?  I have no reason to believe it is not someone 'not physical'.

What I find really fascinating and fantastic is that a Doctor is open to this.

I wish more Doctors were like you in that aspect.

I brought up certain 'things' to a specialist I see for my hyper thyroid.
Mainly the vibrations one gets when their thryroid is in over drive like mine is.
This Doctor looked at me like I was nuts.  I asked her if she knew all the answers?
Loaded question I know.  However, I wanted her to know she was not 'God' in her field either.
That there are things out there that medical science cannot answer and she 'should' at least be open to other ideas.
My family GP is very open to this. Another reason I like ODs over MDs.

There are times when prayer is the best and brightest hope. Your story is moving, doctor. I see prayer as a kind of active meditation, and a way to focus on a greater reality under stressful conditions or in other circumstances.

It is very interesting that she was "visited" by someone who had such a strong influence that she would pray in this manner, without stopping, all night.

Perhaps this lends an obvious encouragement to the idea that we are not actually alone in our darkest hours.

However, I wouldn't have minded hearing also that this woman might have had headphones on which played soothing music and/or suggestions to relax and comfort her during her ordeal. Then again, that's just not something everyone wants or can use at all times.

Some people of a different belief system might be visited by someone who suggests that they chant.  ? ?  Such a person might be found in the morning chanting Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo over and over again as they might have done all night, or doing another ritual which brings comfort.

The thing that matters, I suppose, is that you were there. And that you were there with her.  Thanks for sharing this.

love, blink :)

Matthew, it sounds to me like she had an ADC.  Perhaps she wandered off because she was afraid you wouldn't believe who she communicated with.

Many hospice workers will tell you of spirit world communications that take place with patients about to leave. Many have become aware enough to hear and see these as well.

Love, Kathy

Matthew,

I encounter many elderly retired people who act as if they have retired from their spiritual quest and their mission to serve others.  My church also has a few delightful 90-year-olds who are desperate to still make a difference and perform all kinds of social services (visitation of shut-ins, errands for the elderly, meals on wheels, maintenance work around the church, etc.).  I think of a phrase in one John Wesley's famous prayers.  John Wesley was the founder of  Methodism.  He prayed: "Lord, don't make me live to be useless."  I applaud your willingness to operate on that lady.  Quality of life can be more important than quantity of days.  In my visitation of the elderly, I notice that those who hang out in cafes with their elderly friends seem happier, more alert, and less prone to dementia.  Those who are trapped as shut-ins with little social contact seem to experience greater mental deteriorization.  

As for her possible ADC, this raises a troubling issue for me.  Before they died, some of my elderly relatives reported visions and conversations with their deceased loved ones.  Because these relatives had slipped a bit mentally, I assumed that they were just hallucinating and I was probably correct.  I need to seek out the genuine from the counterfeit.  But the line separating these possibilities is ultimately unknown to me.  The danger of dismissing genuine experiences haunts me.

Don

I visited her again today.  She is much better, breathing more easily and comfortably.  She seems rather embarrassed by the whole "praying" episode, and can't remember much about it.  She apologized to the staff about "going on like that." (No apology was due)

I believe in the power of prayer, yet her praying all night based on being instructed to do so, struck me as odd, and unsettling.  

I will keep everyone updated on her progress, and appreciate the comments.

Matthew

Just to stir the pot, it seems that the Catholic rite of Extreme Unction, which is essentially healing through prayer, anointing, and laying on hands, operates in much the same manner, and produces similar healings.

As for praying all night? If I were to die tomorrow, I'd probably do the same tonight!

dave

thanks Doc for that touching story. I would like to know when she finally makes her transition. somehow this story seems completely natural to me.
from living with my elderly mother and working resthomes, I deduced the elderly as well the spiritually oriented persons have erratic sleep patterns, and sometimes less need for sleep as they become more in that other dimension than in this C1 physical area.

I noted my mother, at age 83 appeared to slip naturally into an early life review as a preparation stage for transition.  The prayerful state itself would be an interesting study and doesn't it say somewhere in the bible to pray without ceasing?
and if we did do that, to pray without ceasing, I wonder what would be happening in the soul, in the brain, in the entire being of the spirit.
and the spirit guide of course I believe we most often have assistance in a transition except when its a sudden transition, then its a little different but guides and helpers are always surfing our world, both physical and nonphysical. the two dimensions seem to lie upon one another as a blanket on top of another blanket is how I sense is, where the fibers interpenetrate, like an electric blanket would send warmth into the surrounding blankets underneath or on top of it.

what does happen in a prayerful state? I do believe such a state is in a process of releasing attachments to Earth plane. it might even be a way to release fear and anxiety about the natural process of transition.
and where PUL is, fear is not, so I see this lady getting ready for a joyride.
she seems like a real sweetie!
People like yourself are in an excellent position to not only help people extend their lives, but to assist their transitions when the time comes. thanks again for your post.