Art of Caring

Spirituality in Relief of Suffering: A Young Woman’s Story

Patricia Shearer, MD MSFAAP

The patient was in the hospital for a flare-up of a multisystem inflammatory disorder with many complications. She was staying in a large room at the end of the hall in the pediatric intensive care unit. Despite the serious nature of her illness, she was usually alone, except for occasional visits from her mother, father, and grandmother. These precious hours of companionship relieved the loneliness imposed by drastic limitations on visitors allowed during hospitalization.