Grateful

Today I wanted to tell a story I've told in pieces and parts on the blog before, but I don't know that I've ever told the whole thing all together.

I've been reading on social media that it's appreciation week for nurses, and my goodness, do I ever appreciate them! I am so not cut out for health care work, so I have deep appreciation in my heart for those who are not only smart enough for the job, but kind in their approach to those in their care. Who doesn't love finding a truly caring nurse?

It's been six years now since my gallbladder eviction, and that day, the Lord sent a beautiful blessing of a nurse my way. If you were reading along back in those days, you might remember that story, but if you're new, I'll recap it for you here.

Other than oral surgery, my gallbladder was my first encounter with surgery. My first time in a regular operating room. I was absolutely terrified. After fifteen years of debilitating pain, you'd think I would just be ready to zoom in there and have that thing removed, but that very morning I asked Ryan if he thought they'd let me change my mind and cancel it.

He said no.

Not only did they not accept my change of heart, they came to get me early. I wasn't ready. (I know. I never would have been ready. But I really wasn't ready.) I asked Ryan if he thought they'd let him come in the OR and assist.

He said no.

They wheeled me out of my room and down the hall toward the OR. Halfway there, Ryan had to let go of my hand and walk to the waiting room. I started panicking the moment his fingers left mine. They pushed through the doors and into the deep freeze of an operating room.

I didn't know they were so cold. I was already shivering from nerves, and then I had chills on top of nerves. They transferred me to the table and all I could see were eyes peering over masks. (This was before that was the norm.) Bright lights. Masks. Gowns. Gloves. It was all too much. I wasn't ready.

I looked all around, frantic to find a person who looked like they might believe in God and prayer. Before I could even open my mouth to ask, a gowned, gloved, and masked woman I hadn't even seen before bent over me. She covered my entire upper body with her own and whispered a prayer in my ear. She prayed for God to be near to me and comfort me. She said amen and vanished back into the rotating whirlwind of gowns.

The anesthesiologist had me count backwards from ten, and somewhere around nine, I fell asleep. I awakened half a second later in recovery, begging them to bring Ryan to me. I don't think too much time passed before I told him about my operating room prayer warrior.

When I wrote my evaluation for surgery, I mentioned her in as much detail as I could and asked if they could possibly find her and thank her for me, because she had been the most pivotal part of my relational experience. (Kudos to the doctor for removing my offending gallbladder, of course, but this nurse was my personal hero.)

Probably about four years later, one of Ryan's co-workers went to a weekend church retreat in our town. She knew the story I just told you and when Ryan and I went to the closing service for that retreat, she pulled me aside and said she was pretty sure my praying nurse was there. They'd met over the weekend and as the nurse told stories of her work, she figured out she was probably the one who had prayed over me that day. 

She found her and brought her over to meet me - and I knew when I saw her that this was the lady. Never did I ever imagine I'd have the chance to thank her personally for being there that day, sensing my need, and praying for me, but that's what happened that day.

I still remember her all these years later. I'm so glad she was scheduled for that operating room on that day. 

For all of you who are nurses, thank you for what you do every day. Thank you for using the wisdom and skills God gave you to help the sick, but more importantly, to comfort the scared. You are a blessing. 

(And if you've had a great nurse in your life, don't forget to thank him or her. Though Ryan wasn't a nurse, I can tell you that his soul was so encouraged by the kind words and evaluations of patients to were willing to take the time to let him know they appreciated him. Health care is exhausting work - especially right now. They need a boost!)