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Providing Spiritual Care for a Black Male Kidney Patient and

D.D. McAdory

Historically, Blacks are at risk for kidney disease due to a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes. Because of the higher prevalence for hypertension, kidney disease is the 7^th leading cause of health related deaths. It is also difficult to report that many Blacks are not aware of the significance of eating properly, the need to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, controlling cholesterol, the necessity for low sodium intake, controlling weight and blood sugar intake, limiting alcohol intake and smoking, and finally exercising (Jenkins, 2003). These primary factors contributed to the sudden illness of a Black male who currently goes to dialysis three times weekly.

The onset of kidney failure was not only earth shattering for this individual but it was compounded by the drastic effect it had on the family. Additionally, years of working productively and providing for family can allow most Black men to feel complete and useful. However, with the onset of kidney failure pride is attacked, usefulness dissipates and depression intervenes as related to hesitation in obtaining treatment when initial symptoms were obvious. This is where support and prayers of kin-folk, non-kin folk and fictive-kin folk must intervene when diagnosed.

The question we must ask is why did this occur and was the family prepared? In essence no family is prepared for acute renal failure precipitated by quiet years of alcohol abuse. The initial stage of illness was three months of suffering wherein hospitalization or seeking medical assistance was refused. It must be noted that most Blacks refuse medical assistance due to a deep fear of death once hospitalized or a longstanding fear of doctors (Byrd, Clayton, 2003). Historical data reiterates the fact that Blacks will not seek assistance until it is too late or until the illness has reached an advanced stage. In the scenario of the Black male, death was imminent had it not been for swift medical determination of not only acute renal failure but pancreatic complications.

There was nothing the family could do at this point but contact prayer partners who extended the alert to others. Once the alert was given, prayers began non-stop until answers were received. Prayers were not only for the patient’s recovery but for the caregiver/family as well. On several occasions two prayer warriors laid hands on the patient in a magnanimous request for healing. A response to all prayers was noted several days later as signs of improvement were noted by the doctors, caregiver and family. Subsequently, he was released from the hospital after several weeks, but remains on dialysis which is truly a life changing occurrence. In essence, this once healthy, youthful in appearance, vibrant Black male remains depressed but thankful to be alive.

When life suddenly takes a turn and health is affected, it is time to evaluate every particle of ones being. To process holistically, one must evaluate where, when and how there life has affected others and what must be done thereafter. This type of self-evaluation for many may occur when approaching retirement, when ill or prior to death. To be holistic, it is essential to reach a sense of peace spiritually, mentally and physically and to be in sync with nature (Billingsley, 1992). When coping with kidney failure it is possible when lying helplessly in a hospital bed to allow that state of being to occur. What is important, however, is to hold on to that state of being once healed. It is sad that even with the power of prayer and the gift of healing, most Black males forget about the emotional well-being of the caregivers. This is indicative of a strong propensity usually due to anger and depression to be offensive towards caregivers. The concern for those providing care is to determine whether or not this is purposeful behavior or exhibited due to self piety.

Whatever the case, it should not be occurring and when it does, the caregiver usually transitions to the spiritual. Spirituality transcends to a connection that rises above problems and allows, if only for a moment, a sense of freedom and a joining with the omnipresence. Thus, spirituality allows caregivers to connect in the spirit through prayer when the strain of caregiving becomes too much to bear. Even if some Black males are pleasant while ill, but their condition deteriorates, prayer allows a sense of release that is difficult at times to explain.

The Black male in the scenario has not been the best patient in spite of improved health. The burden now is on the mental well-being of the caregiver who after weeks of watching, crying and praying is presently exhausted and sometimes bitter. Bitterness is associated with the expectation of what is required rather than being appreciated for what has been done. It appears that many Black males in there need to remain in charge sometimes, in spite of prayer and spirituality forget humility. It is critical to grasp humility in the aftermath of illness and more importantly to consider family. Without family what do we have? It does not matter how much wealth one has acquired, the bottom line is there has to be significant others or family that makes everything worthwhile. Sometimes this is forgotten during the healing process.

References

Jenkins, Sharron. (2003). African American Health Disparities: Obesities, Stress

& Your Health. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Billingsley, Andrew. (1992). Climbing Jacob’s Ladder- The Enduring Legacy

of African-American Families.

Byrd, Michael, Clayton, Linda. (2002). An American Health Dilemma: Race,

Medicine, and Health Care in The United States 1900-2000. New York:

Routledge.

D.D. McAdory is an assistant professor in the department of sociology, anthropology & social work at the University of South Alabama. She is also an author and monthly contributor to columbusblack.com.

Marjorie Jones, M.Ed., a retired educator and administrator edited this article.