Thursday, September 10, 2009

Rejoicing and Reflections

There is much to rejoice about today. Although the yesterday's procedure was a bit more painful than I anticipated, it was so evident to me that God's hand was in it all. Perhaps this was most evident in the doctor's assistant, Annie, who comforted me through the process by her kind words and reassuring touch. We ended up having a great conversation about the Lord and His goodness to our families.

I'm reminded again that being in the health care profession really is a means to ministry. For the individual undergoing a medical test or procedure, they are in a particularly vulnerable position. Thus, they are often open to the comfort and words extended to them. There are few other places in our culture where is would be the norm.

I'm also convicted again about my own preconceived ideas that I place on my patients. Often when a procedure that is supposed to be relatively painless results in a patient's great discomfort, I can be quick to dismiss that as an overreaction in the midst of my busyness. But after my experience yesterday, I can testify differently. For me, what was supposed to be minimally painful was anything but. Even today my neck is really sore, swollen, and uncomfortable. Lesson learned.

The pathologist was kind enough to let me stay to hear his preliminary report. He found nothing suspicious in the nodule itself. We are praising God for such a good reports as this! I'll return my doctor in a week to figure out the next steps.

I am so thankful for the Lord's sanctifying work in my life. He loves me enough to choose the hard things to teach me and grow me up in him. If I had to choose a "life verse" it would be Psalm 139:23-24. I memorized it at a retreat in middle school and daily since it comes to my mind and settles in my heart. Yesterday was no exception.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

-Psalm 139:23-24

10 comments:

Mr. Bird said...

I love my wife.

Heather L. said...

So glad that things went well, although I'm sorry for the pain and residual pain today.

Monica said...

I'm rejoicing with you!

Andrea said...

Praise the Lord! My 6yo dd Rachel would call yesterday a day where God used His "refiner's fire" (that lesson has stuck in her head from an illness she had).
So thankful that it's over and your prognosis is good!
Blessings,
Andrea

Anonymous said...

God is very good!

Saralyn said...

Lessons via pain. I guess God trains his children the same way we train ours. He is near!

Michelle said...

So glad to hear the great news as well as the praises to our God! So sorry for the pain....I can relate. They told me it was relatively painless, too, when I went in for my biopsy earlier in the year. I think they need to rethink that comment! Makes you feel like such a wimp when your toes are curling down to the floor and it's all you can do not to cry out in pain. My bruising went away in about a 10-14 days, but the residual tenderness lasted for several months. Praying for a quicker recovery for you.

Angie said...

Praising the Lord with you! Hope you will be pain free very soon!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

So thankful the news was good news! Hope the pain subsides quickly. I loved your honesty through this...yesterdays' post...God bless!

Amy K said...

Glad to hear the news! I didn't realize on Sunday that you had this procedure. We'll be praying the drs. can figure out what is wrong soon.