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From the Foot of the Hospital Bed

In December, right smack in the middle of all the 'fa la la la la', a phone call came from a son with stomach pain.  Meeting him and realizing this was no ordinary pain, we headed to the ER.  The hospital staff moved quickly, working to help manage his pain and running tests to see what the cause of it was.  We settled in for a long wait for test results and his pain was getting better.  It was just he and I and after a while, I was ready to open up and share with others what was going on.  Dear son knows me very well and warned me, do not tell this on Facebook!  Do  not take pictures, do not call any friends, etc, etc.  I got the message, this was time to stop, pray and focus on what was important.
 
The diagnosis was a severe case of pancreatitis and the treatment was 6 days in the hospital.  To keep family unity, I shared no Facebook status, no pictures, and learned to be still and be where I was needed.  In the process, I learned a few things.  We survived without sharing details.  Friends and family checked in on us often and showed their love.  Many things can get done at the foot of a hospital bed!
 
Sometimes it walking through situations quietly that get your attention.  Not having spent much time in hospitals, I watched, listened and learned some things.  There was the recognition of other patients' caregivers you would pass with that weary, worried look. In the elevators, hospital staff were diligent to speak and upon leaving, wish you a good day, understanding the need for a kind word.  Nurses who continually came and went working to meet needs. Sickness does not discriminate, so there were all kinds of people, all ages, all statuses, but all there for a common purpose, to rally around a loved one.
 
The day before we left we heard the heart wrenching sobs from the family who lost a loved one a few doors down.  That put everything in perspective in a hurry.  We still had our loved one and whatever we walk though, we are together and have a God who loves us and is always near.

 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Psalms 62:6-7

 
 
My to-do list, which wasn't so important after all!
 
 
Being transferred by ambulance, not a sight I want to see again!
 
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