Anointing of the sick

[KimberlyAnn0218]

Hello!
I asked this in the AAA forum, but haven’t gotten a reply and feel like I need one sooner rather than later or never, lol ( I do understand how AAA works, really, no hard feelings).

I am 40 years old and have never found myself wondering if I should ask for this sacrament. I went in my for my first screening mammogram as a 40 year old 2 1/2 weeks ago and 3 days later was diagnosed with a non-invasive, stage 0 breast cancer called DCIS. This is not the kind of breast cancer that can kill you. It can’t even spread yet. This is as early as you can detect it. The treatment is aggressive though. A lumpectomy, 6 weeks of daily radiation ( 5 days a week) and a medication to block hormones for 5 years. This diagnosis is a marker of potential invasive cancer if left untreated or a new one starting. I read that in times of “serious” surgery or life threatening illness are times when you request this. SO I was thinking that I should NOT be asking for this? Anyone have experience with this? My pastor knows, but he has never mentioned it either. I guess I wanted to bounce it off others before I make a fool of myself…Thank-you!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If I were in your situation I would talk to my pastor and ask to be anointed.

I’ve only received this sacrament once, but I found it enormously comforting and strengthening. I felt like I could face whatever might be in my future regarding my illness.

I pray all goes well for you.

 

[edwest2]

Hello!
I asked this in the AAA forum, but haven’t gotten a reply and feel like I need one sooner rather than later or never, lol ( I do understand how AAA works, really, no hard feelings).

I am 40 years old and have never found myself wondering if I should ask for this sacrament. I went in my for my first screening mammogram as a 40 year old 2 1/2 weeks ago and 3 days later was diagnosed with a non-invasive, stage 0 breast cancer called DCIS. This is not the kind of breast cancer that can kill you. It can’t even spread yet. This is as early as you can detect it. The treatment is aggressive though. A lumpectomy, 6 weeks of daily radiation ( 5 days a week) and a medication to block hormones for 5 years. This diagnosis is a marker of potential invasive cancer if left untreated or a new one starting. I read that in times of “serious” surgery or life threatening illness are times when you request this. SO I was thinking that I should NOT be asking for this? Anyone have experience with this? My pastor knows, but he has never mentioned it either. I guess I wanted to bounce it off others before I make a fool of myself…Thank-you!

A few years ago I was offered the Anointing of the Sick because I was in bad shape physically and mentally. The priest came to me and gave me the Sacrament and also heard my Confession. Fortunately, I made it out after a somewhat difficlty recovery process.

Peace,
Ed

 

[ChurchSoldier]

At my parish anointing is offered the 3rd Sunday of the month after the Eucharist is received for any who wish to be anointed.

So often I find with RC’s (I work in geriatric healthcare) that they think one needs to be in dire straights for anointing. Not the case, but you would certainly be a candidate for asking. Anointing is quite a powerful sacrament which can have pretty dramatic positive results.

PAX

 

[Zooman77]

Again you should talk with your pastor however seeing that you will be going through aggressive treatment I don’t see a reason why not to receive it.

 

[judynurse]

I have received the Anointing of the Sick several times when ill, and also prior to any surgery, even if not a “major” surgery or treatment. As a Nurse, I can tell you that ANY time you are put under partial or full anesthesia, there can be danger of death. People can have a sudden adverse reaction to the anesthesia, even though they’ve had it previously with no reaction. Therefore, ANY surgery (minor or major) is qualification for the Anointing of the Sick. I also have had numerous bouts with pneumonia due to being prone to bronchitis. Anytime I am in danger of or have pneumonia, I requested the Anointing, even though I was not going to be placed in the Hospital. I found it comforting and strengthening to me.

Our new Parish Priest has just announced to us that he will offer the Anointing twice each year, at the beginning of November and again in May. He is also going to visit every member of our Parish who is homebound or in a Nursing Home that week and give them the Anointing also. Hallelujah!! First Priest we’ve had in 22 years who is doing this! He believes that those who are ill, or in danger of illness, with a serious diagnosis or elderly should receive the Anointing twice each year. And, he is doing this at 3 Parish centers in 2 towns in one week!!! Now that’s a Priest who believes in making ALL the Sacraments available to ALL his parishioners, even though it will keep him on the run for 5 or 6 days straight, followed by weekend Masses!

I requested the Anointing from our last Priest for my husband on his deathbed, but he was in a town visiting friends about 35 miles away (he took 2 days off each week) and said he wouldn’t come until the end of the week (5 days later). I then called a retired Franciscan Priest nearby, and he came the same day! The retired Priest also heard my husband’s last Confession, and brought Communion to both of us at the Hospital. (I was there 14 hrs. daily, and not attending Masses) Our regular Priest did show up 5 days later, and brought Communion (only), and stayed less than 10 minutes to discuss my husband’s wishes for his funeral. At that point, my husband was very woozy with drugs, but did manage to tell the Priest what he wanted at his Funeral Mass. The Priest did not do the Reading from the Psalms that my husband requested (& which I also told him I wanted after my husband’s death), but chose another Psalm.

Now we have a Priest whom I am sure would have come the same day, and probably have arranged for daily Communion for my husband, since the Doctors were barely keeping him alive. (He was on Terminal Care, but they continued to treat his heart condition to give him time to prepare. He was dying of multiple site cancers.) He died the 7th day after I had called our previous Priest. But, Thank God, that wonderful retired Priest had given him the Last Sacraments, and then spent nearly an hour talking to him about his death. My husband died full of peace.

Thank God for the good Priests who think a dying person is more important than their personal wishes for a couple of days off! (We had only the one Priest in the whole County which has 2 Hospitals and 3 or 4 Nursing Homes plus Hospice).

Sorry, off the subject, but it still “bugs” me! YES, OP, you are considered eligible for the Anointing, and I would also suggest Confession and Communion prior to your surgery. Your Parish should have Ministers of the Eucharist for the Homebound also (which I also do now), and they should be able to bring the Holy Eucharist to you at least once a week during the weeks you are having radiation treatments and may not feel like going out to Mass. The Priest should also be willing to excuse you from the Sunday Obligation during this treatment if you don’t feel well enough to attend Mass, and perhaps will come once or twice during that period for Confession as well, if you ask. Be aware, the treatment you are having is not only appropriate for the condition, but has a high rate of success. Will pray for you!