Well the time had finally come. I was being moved from the ICU up to the hematology ward on C4. I was nervous. I was no longer going to have my own personal nurse there to take care of me 24/7. I still could not walk, or even sit up on my own. I could not even roll over to my side. So you see, I was nervous. I know the high demand of nurses. I know they are overworked, underpaid and unfairly treated (by the hospital and the patients!) So I was uneasy moving away from the ICU. What if I needed help and no one could get to me in time? But alas, I had to trust they knew what they were doing. I was going to be there for awhile, that I knew. But again, I was blessed. I had a double room, just me and another patient; but I had the window view. And Oh! What a view it was! It overlooked the beautiful escarpment. If I was going to be bed ridden and unable to leave the hospital, for who knows how long than this view was a small token of contentment I was given.
The beautiful view from my hospital window
You think this looks lovely? Well!! I wish I had a picture to show you of what it looked like at night. Lovely lights lit up everywhere. It was gorgeous. It's through things like this that made me know God's hand was upon me. And before you ask, yes, a beautiful view of the escarpment means joy when you can't move. I 100% believe the Lord gave me this room with this view to keep my spirits up. And I do not think it was a coincidence at all. My first round up on hematology (before I entered the coma) was in a similar private room with the exact. same. view. So yes, I thank Jesus for this small token of joy He allotted me during such a trying time.
Now...on with the journey! While I was up on C4 I met A LOT of nurses. ALL of them and I mean ALL of them were incredible. From the health care aids I had to the many nurses who cared for me. WOW. I formed lovely relationships with so many of them, and I am so happy that there are people out there who care so much about what they do. Aside from all the mumbo-jumbo medical need I had, these lovely people went above and beyond for me. My one nurse would come and scratch my back!! Yes, you read the right. Not exactly apart of her job description, but she was so kind and accommodating. A little backstory as to why I needed someone to scratch my back: I could not reach it. I could not lift my arm more than a couple inches from the bed, so clearly, scratching my back was out of the question. My health care aids would come in and turn me to my side at the beginning of the night. Then a few hours later I would wake up in pain and they would come back and turn my onto my back and set me up with pillows. Then they would return another time and hold my legs up (because I could not move them myself) and fan under my legs! What!? Honestly, this was NOT required of them. But my legs would get really hot from being against the bed all day so they helped me out. They also made time to shower me regularly. This was a high demand request. It took a lot to move me and wash me since I could not help in any way. But they did it. And do you want to know why they did it??
I am nice.
I am the nicest patient they have ever had.
What??
That was my first though when they told me this.
I am the nicest patient you ever had??
Crazy.
This was a little sad to me. These people work hard to care for others all day long. It's physically and mentally draining, and they liked me because I was kind to them. I was one of the sickest people in this hospital and I was still nice. They noticed. They said it. They made sure to treat me equally as kind. They went above and beyond, all because I was not nasty to them. And guess what happened? God worked through this too! I formed friendships in this hospital with these people. They came to sit with me, talk and chat on their breaks. They listened to me ramble on and speak about Jesus. They listened to me tell them how God had saved my life. And they kept coming back. The revisited me. They talked, they listened. I don't know if they believed. I don't know if they're Christians. What I do know is if a seed was planted in just one of them then all of heaven will rejoice at their salvation! Sometimes I complained too...haha...but they did not judge or condemn me. And when I was finally moved out of C4 down to rehab (months later); these same people came to visit me down there.
Sooo...
What is the sad reality of being sick?
People think it gives them a pass to be mean. To be cranky and nasty to others.
THAT is the sad reality I saw.
So please, take it from me...from someone who was on their death bed. Who couldn't walk, or move more than an inch or two. Who was in pain 24/7. Who couldn't breath on her own. Who didn't know what her future would look like. Who had to rely upon others for the most basic functions.
Be nice.
Be kind.
It makes a difference.
Remember God can work through all circumstance. Even when we can't see it.
I heard testimonies. One nurse who cared for me while I was in the coma was up at the hospital I was recovering at. She told me she grew up in a Hindu home, but found Jesus. She was disowned by her family for her faith. Seeing me and how the Lord worked in my circumstance encouraged her. She was filled with joy to see me alive!
Sometimes our stories, our journey doesn't just impact those who don't know Christ, it also impacts those who are in relationship with Him. Sometimes our stories encourages them and reactivates their faith. They confirm that He is real. So remember that.
And be nice. Show who Jesus is through your actions and words. Show Jesus. Many a time our actions speak louder than our words and those around us notice.
Proverbs 4:23
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Luke 6:45
"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart the mouth speaks."
Matthew 15:18
"But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'"
Proverbs 27:19
"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects a man."
Add comment
Comments