Real Medicine...

Recently Shauna introduced me to a show called “Grey’s Anatomy”.  I’m sure you’ve all heard of it, but to me it was just another lame medical show.  I figured why would I want to watch a show that is not going to depict the reality of the real world of medicine.  Mom and I can’t watch medical shows like that together because it really ticks us off when they do dumb stuff.  Like they would put a non re-breather on a patient and never actually hook it up to the O2 or inflate the bag.  Like the other night Jack, on Lost, gave Atropine IM in Saiad’s deltoid. Yep, brought Saiad back from the dead before he ever finished injecting it! Who knew an IM injection could work that fast!  And in "Million Dollar Baby"- she was talking away with an ET tube down her throat on a ventilator- I think Mom fell off the couch on that one.  I know, I know… its still Hollywood.  Why in the world do I NEVER see the attendings or interns ever dictating or doing loads paperwork that I know they have to do?  I must say, after I quit analyzing all the medical stuff on Grey’s Anatomy I decided that they do a decent job for the most part.  (Those of you medical persons who are making fun of me right now for watching and liking this show, you can stop.  The sun goes down around 6:30 here and there is no going out after dark and you can only read so much in one evening.  It's my break!  Why am I trying to justify watching this stupid show?) 

Any hoot, Kenya is a bit behind.  They are on season 2 right now.  I must say- all this medicine has me a bit nostalgic.  I was already thinking about it the day before I started watching Grey’s Anatomy.  I was thinking about how much I miss nursing right now.  It really hasn’t bothered me that I can’t practice here until recently.  Not that I’m “bothered”… just missing it.  I’ve even gone as far as letting my mind wander “if I were back in the states… I think I’d like to learn to be a scrub nurse...or maybe I’d like to get back into the ER.  I sure miss it.”  I have so many great memories from working at HP ER and even DSA.  God gave me some amazing friends who held my hand and took me under their wing when I first started.  They covered my back and put down NG tubes when another patient was crashing.  They changed REALLY yucky briefs with me when no one else would.  They helped me place even the toughest catheters... even when I whacked them in the head with lube.  They kindly and lovingly corrected me.  They always came when I called.  We cried together, prayed together, and understood each other.  We delivered babies (like Tammy Barbara).  We watched others being ushered into glory.  We even took a vacation together.  Oh... good times.  But that is what they are: good memories.  It was really a great deal.  I have great friends and great memories to keep with me no matter where I am in the world.  Life experiences that forever changed me.  As for being an endo nurse... (most of you think I'm sick)- but it really was so much fun.  I got to work with 4 Christian docs.  Who gets to do that?  I will admit I had a very skewed opinion of general surgeons from working at HP ER.  Okay- so there were like 3 that i was convinced had it out for me.  So I really wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I went to work for 4 of them.  Little did I know how difficult it would be to leave them in June.  I shed many tears leaving those girls (and guys) in the office who always seemed to love me- even we I was pretty unlovable.

As I searched my heart yesterday morning I began to pray for all the doctors I’ve worked with in the US.  I’m ashamed to say that I don’t always remember to pray for them.  It’s the least I could do for all they’ve taught me and done for me.  I realized something while I was on the steps of my soul:  I have a few REAL passions.  My heart truly smiles when I am doing any of the following: CARING for the sick and infirm; being a WIFE (Proverbs 31:10-31) ; being a MOTHER (I pretend sometimes); MISSIONS- Yes, I love to know that people are coming to Christ in the streets with Chris, but as for my own heart and it’s passion- it is about Proverbs 31:8-9 and Isaiah 1:17 (see below).  Helping Paul, Sylvia, Brian and Isaac was definitely one of the greatest missions I’ve ever been on.  I can’t adequately express with words how rewarding it is the see them thriving now.  They were sick, hungry, needy, and could not speak up for themselves.(1) 

My emotions are a bit mixed right now as I am working hard on understanding adoption papers, setting up appointments, reading books, and preparing my heart for these little ones to come.  I am excited and ecstatic to meet them, love them, and show them Jesus’ love.  At the same time, I know that it will take away from Paul, Sylvia, Brian and especially Isaac now (since I’m home schooling him in a way).  But the point is- God used me “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14b) to get them out of the situation they were in, get them food, get them well, and learning.  Now, if I can get Isaac to at least learn his ABC’s and numbers maybe he will be encouraged to go to school (and if I can keep the kids from picking on him).  The goal is to get them in the best situation possible in their own context (not westernizing them) and love them as Christ loves us.  Mission accomplished, right?  

So maybe my kids (future and present) are all the medicine I can handle right now.  I am happy with where I am and where I'm going.  But I am also very happy with where I was and the people I was blessed to meet along the way.

(1)- “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

(2) "Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.  Defend the cause of the Fatherless.  Plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17