Hospital: Lesson's Learned

“But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.” ~Psalm 3:3

Years ago I was taught that when you experienced something to always do a “lesson’s learned”, write down what you learned from what you went through.  Here is what I learned over the last few days.  Pain is very real and will quickly reduces you to its will.  Passing a gallstone is one of the most painful experiences of my life.  Which brings me to my first lesson learned, morphine is amazing, it is a miracle drug.  Modesty in pain do not co-exist. I was totally submissive to pain and would have done anything to see it go away and I mean anything.  Which brings me to the Emergency Room, the things they have to deal with on a day to day basis are remarkable.  Once I was no longer in pain I was able to soak in my surroundings and I have to tell you these people are professionals and deserve our gratitude.  The range of people they have to deal with is staggering.  

Once I was admitted and was placed in my room, I was greeted warmly.  I felt at ease right from the beginning.  From Ron to Liz I was well taken care of.  Lying in a hospital bed that inflates and deflates was interesting.  To keep people from getting bed sores the bed’s mattress moves.  So I felt like I was floating on a raft adrift at sea.  All those channels and nothing to watch, still holds true.  I got tired of being poked every four hours.  Laughter is still the best medicine.  Sonograms are really cool and I am thankful for the young lady who was called in at 2 AM to preform one on me.  Becky who is from Baton Rouge, who is a travel nurse because she cannot find a permanent position, wants to get to the East Coast to be closer to her children.  She did a sonogram of my heart and was very kind and I promised to keep her in my prayers, I hope you will too. 

The young intern who had to push my fat self to the further reaches of the hospital in a wheelchair so I could get an MRI, she did it with a smile on her face, and we laughed all the way there, especially on the down hills.  And to the older gentlemen who had to me push back, thank you!   Being stuck in an oversize doughnut with my arms over my head for 20 minutes felt like an eternity and I wouldn’t want to do that again anytime soon.  But turning all the sounds in the room into musical sounds in my head was amusing.  Eating for the first time in two days was great, I barely remember what it was. Vanilla flavored creamy jello stuff, just ain't right.  

Being woke up in the middle of night to draw blood, by turning on the lights and yelling my name wasn’t cool and was thankful for the young lady who followed who gently woke me up to do the same thing.  The sun rose through my window in the morning, the whole room fill with wonderful light each morning a reminder of another day of God’s grace.  Having a camera tube stuck down your throat while in twilight….I’ll leave that right there.  

Dr. Marsh for looking down into my stomach, was very blunt and to the point. I don’t remember many of the words he said while still in “twilight” other than, “You’re eating yourself to death”, which for some strange reason lodged themselves in my mind.  He later reminded me when I was fully awake, if I don’t make changes now I will die a young man.  This brings me to the biggest lesson of them all, the people who showered me with prayers and support.  I didn’t want to say anything, because I didn’t want people to worry.  But one post on Facebook and a few phone calls news traveled quickly.  At one point my hospital room was so packed, it was standing room only and the nurses had to wait to get in.  I am so grateful to be surrounded by such a loving group of people.  From facebook post, text messages, visits and prayers all help me again to realize this is bigger than just me.  

One morning the sun had just stared to rise and I started to read the psalms and I got to Psalm 3 and the Lord touched my heart with these words, “But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.” (Psalm 3:3).  It is for his glory I live and he has shielded me for many years and he lifts up my head.  He has a plan for me and is using me in people’s lives and he is also using others to shape me.  We are all in this together and I am robbing God and the people around me by the way I live.  I need to make serious changes and take care of myself better for Christ glory.  

So overall I am thankful and I know I still have more tests that need to be done and I might have to have my gallbladder removed.  Nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God, he uses everything.  My thoughts also go out to all the nurses who are angels and who need our prayers and support.  Lastly to Liz, thank you for laughing with me while trying to figure out how I got so tangled up in my gown.

God is good!