Perfect

Healing

By Joyce Williams

 Are you the on-call chaplain? asked the voice on the phone. We have a Mrs. Carr who is coming out of surgery and is requesting a chaplain. She will be going to room 350. I was the weekend on-call chaplain for two hospitals located forty miles apart. At 6:10 p.m. the phone call interrupted my thoughts. Reluctantly, I left my warm seat by the fire and began the drive halfway around the city. Cold raindrops splashed in my face as I hurried across the parking lot toward the hospital entrance. After 45 minutes, waiting impatiently, I heard a surgery cart rumbling down the hall. Loud voices pierced the quiet of the hospital corridor. Was it my patient? This still seems so strange, said a voice on the gurney. Come in here at nine this morning to get a shot and here I am nine hours later coming out of surgery. Anyone else want to stick me? Nurse, dont you dare touch this arm with the IV in it. With seven sticks to get a vain, I sure dont want to go through that again, and Im hungry! Will I get anything to eat tonight? I sat quietly and looked away as the procession headed by a nurse in scrubs pushed the cart. Two dejected-looking young women followed. They passed me and headed for room 350. Yes, this was my patient. Had there been a family fight? Was that why they needed a chaplain? From the hallway, I continued to monitor the conversation as my patient was moved from the gurney into her bed. Amber, since the doctor insists I spend the night, you need to go home and get me some clothes and my make-up kit, and Jamie, get out to that nurses station and see if you can get me some food. The nurse in scrubs wheeled the gurney out of room 350, glanced at my badge, gave me a look that said good luck and made her way back to the elevator. Nothing that all was quiet, I reluctantly made my way into a brightly lighted hospital room. My patient was turned toward the window so I walked around the bed- hoping I was not walking into a lions den. Propped up, with her right arm heavily bandaged and elevated, an IV in the left hand, was my patient, an Anglo woman about 60 years old of age.

Mrs. Carr, Im Joy, I said. I understand you have asked to speak with a chaplain. Well, finally, she replied, I really wanted to see one about 2:30 this afternoon before I went to surgery.

 Im sorry. My page came at 6:10, and I came immediately. You must have been in recovery when I arrived. Really? she responded, looking at me as if Id told he worlds biggest lie. Now that Im here, what can I do for you? You can pray- which is what I wanted earlier- they have operated on this finger-my index finger. The dog bit it on Wednesday and it is so infected the doctor would not release me this morning. I only came here to get a shot. My doctor friend told me which shot I needed, but the surgeon would not agree. I had them call my doctor friend out of church to tell him my problem. I wanted him to come pray with me, but he didnt. Needing to catch her breath, Mrs. Carr paused. Then continued. So, I want you to pray for perfect healing! This is my right hand, and Im right handed. I need to be able to write and type. The doctor mentioned this finger might be stiff. That just isnt acceptable! I want you to pray for perfect healingthat the doctors will know how to treat this finger so I will be able to use it. Just look at me. An IV in the left armafter seven sticksand the right one in this sling. I cant use either hand. Somebody is going to have to feed me, she moaned. Jamie stepped back inside the door, but made no move to come to her moms bedside. Mrs. Carr, it sounds like you have had a difficult day. Are you ready for us to pray now? Yes, but I really needed you about 2:30 this afternoon. I know. Jamie, you want to join us? Lets Pray. Not being accustomed to telling the Almighty how and when to do His work, I paused, took a deep breath, and began to pray. Our Father, I come to you today on behalf of Mrs. Carr. She has had a lot of discomfort today with this infected finger. She had unexpected surgery and is tired and hungry. I ask that you give the doctors and nurses wisdom in treating this wound. You know what Mrs. Carr desiresperfect healing. I pray that your will be done. Give Mrs. Carr patience during the healing process and strength to bear the pain. Be with her family as they minister to her in these next days wen she cant help herself. I also pray for rest for the night. Amen. Patience ugh? Mrs. Carr muttered Well I dont have much of that. Jamie nodded Walking back across the parking lot to my car I was haunted by the phrase Perfect healing? Yes, there IS a first time for everything.