Well, as you can see it has been a while since the last time I have actually had a second to breath. This summer has been incredibly busy and I am getting so close to being burnt out... Thank goodness I have a two week break coming up! This summer has been just a bit stressful. They crammed a 3/4 month semester of what is already an accelerated program, into a 2 month summer. On top of that, it seems like every time I am out and headed to school, everyone else is out having fun. Stinky! It definitely has been a trying summer and I have had to learn that God is definitely my strength.
In the midst of all this craziness, I actually was able to be a part of an amazing woman's last few months on earth. I was able to experience what it truly means to be thankful. One of my patients, we'll call her Joy, was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. After looking through her chart, I learned that she had gastric cancer and had had her stomach removed, yes, all of it. She was doing very well, but ended up in the hospital because of the pneumonia. I spent time talking with her that day and she was actually ready to be discharged and head out shopping the following day! =D When I returned to the hospital two weeks later, I was disheartened to see that she was back. I picked her again and went to see her and let her know that I would be back the next day to take care of her. I walked in the room and was immediately stunned. With a smile on her face, she was lying in bed, skin yellow and muscles weak. I began to talk to her and her family and then she told me the news... the news I didn't want to hear and wasn't ready to hear... the cancer had come back, and it had spread throughout her entire body. She wasn't going to make it much longer.
After taking a deep breath and holding her hand with all my might, she reminded me... "It's ok. God has plans for me and I am ok with that." Wow... what a Godly woman. Lying in bed, dying, with a big smile on her face because she was going Home. Throughout the day we talked and shared stories and laughter. Her daughter gave me a bracelet that was specific for gastric cancer. Saying goodbye that day was quite possibly the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It is one thing saying goodbye to a patient that you know is going to get better. But when you have to say goodbye and you know that that will be your last goodbye, words cannot express.
When I returned two weeks later, I was shocked... she was still there. Then I heard the news... she was not expected to make it through the day. I was able to share the last few moments with the nurse that was caring for her and her family. God had a special place in heaven for her and she smiled all the way there. Through laughter and tears, her family said goodbye. One of the most special things I will always remember is them walking down the hall, thanking us for being so kind.
I will always remember Joy and her smile and strength. Her laughter and jokes will always be a part of my heart. I was incredibly blessed to be able to be a part of her life and will forever be thankful! On my way home that day, a song came on on KSBJ...
Cry to Jesus
...And Live
Dance for Jesus
...And Live
Fly to Jesus
...And Live
Not once did she complain. Not once did she frown. She just smiled.
I then saw a dove flying to heaven and I knew she was reminding me it was ok. She was ok. She was dancing with her Jesus...
I am sharing this story with you because I know she would have wanted everyone to know that we are special and that we can get through anything with His strength and help. God loves you and will always be beside you.
Smile...
