Not Every Door Is An Exit — March 16, 2021
My next journey to the hospital landed me in the ER for 14–15 hours. My first impression of course was the one that reveals itself to everyone who spends time in the ER, not only the disturbing intensity of physical suffering but also the borderline chaos permeating the area. Parents desperately trying to get immediate attention for their feverish or unresponsive child, isolated adults walking back and forth cursing and threatening to no one in particular, others in their own world of pain and discomfort huddled underneath coats or blankets praying for the minutes and hours to pass quickly so they can at least shift their body weight to a position of less strain.
I pray for them and the workers who truly are angels of mercy. How far the distance between the ER and the Garden of Eden! Remember how it originally was? Perfect harmony between man, creation and Creator. This great distance between the intended and actual is not just a concept entertained by God, it is a reality experienced by Jesus on the cross.
Poor service … how about the service providers putting you on the cross.
Lack of resources … how about nails, a vinegar sponge and a spear.
Slow service … how about being left to hang on a cross hour after hour until you die.
What was the result of Jesus’ suffering and death in the primitive ER of the crucifixion? The salvation of the world!
Thank God for the ERs we have access to, pray for those throughout the world who have to suffer with disease and pain without access to hospitals or doctors.
Several days later Sheila and I met with our surgeon who informed us that surgery, due to the close proximity of the cancerous mass to the blood vessels on the pancreas, was not an option unless the mass was reduced by chemotherapy.
We expressed our concern that speed was of the essence and she noted that we had an appointment on March 27 to discuss the chemo process.
Sheila pressed her and reminded her that it was a life and death situation. The surgeon replied that they had already expedited my case over the weekend but Sheila continued pressing, never being disrespectful but reminding her of the urgency that the family was feeling. We finally concluded the meeting by thanking her for her years of saving lives through her expertise.
When we got home we received confirmation that the chemo consultation had been moved forward from March 27 to March 17.
Follow your heart, don’t be intimidated by the system, speak your concerns but do it all with a tongue under the dominion of Jesus
“Let your conversation always be filled with grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6
To be continued …
