Patient was so glad to be cared for at this hospital. She worked at another hospital and hated every day that she worked there (20 years). She said the staff did not take good care or treat the patient’s right. She told them she was coming to the hospital she was presently at for medical help.
Another patient was experiencing sharp pain if she moved. She said when her granddaughter was 5 years of age she started getting big in her stomach. The little girl said she was getting a fat belly like her daddy. They took her to the hospital and she had a cancerous tumor attached to her liver. Up-to-date - the patient shared how the girl (now who was 12) and went back to the hospital and was saying how painful it was what they were doing to her. Then she added that she understood what her grandmother was going through with her pain. She also shared how her sister just fell over the bed and they found several tumors in her head. I asked if she had told the doctor about the cancer that ran in her family, she said she had not, but that said she would.
Met a husband who expressed how unhappy he was with the treatment the hospital was giving his wife. (That was unusual for this hospital. I mostly hear such good things) He told me that she was despondent and he did not know what was wrong with her. She had quit taking all her medications and seemed to possible be depressed- not sure. He loved her, and did not know what to do. I went into the room and began talking with her. She opened right up and began sharing with me. Her husband came into the room (better that he had stayed away as I was suspecting his overbearing attitude could have an effect with his wife). While we both were in the room she messed right on her bed. The staff came after awhile and helped clean her up. He was furious and talked more while we were outside the room about the treatment she had been getting. He shared further the way his own children treated their mother (these were middle age adults) who would hardly visit her and he was thinking about doing something that would wake them up and mentioned his “Will” That was what I figured he was talking about. He shared he was a retired principal around here and knew about things. His son came over to help make a wider doorway for a wheel chair for his mother and wanted to know why she couldn’t walk instead. It did not sound good. I tried to encourage him to let go and forgive. He said he did not hold grudges. Hmmmm! He was very disappointed with his kid’s behavior and did not know how to help his wife. He wished his kids had offered to help some, and they did not.
Met a patient who introduced me to his family. One was a minister of a Church of God – Missouri and another came in shortly who was a minister of Church of God – Cleveland. They both pastured not too far away. The patient had been in a car accident 20 years ago having a metal and pins put into his leg. This had caused infection (leg was red) and they were doing surgery. He should have had the pins taken out a long time ago and did not. We had prayer together and they were so polite shaking hands a second time when I left. I shared I shared that I was a Nazarene who was like the Church of God. They said that was like the Anderson Church of God.
Met a patient who could not speak, He said he was an alcoholic and was seeking help. I shared some reasons – good family support and accountability from several friends to check in daily – staying away from even a sip of drink. He did not like that part because he wanted to reward himself with a drink after so many times of not drinking. He did not want any more to do with me after that. It sounded like he really doesn’t not want help. That is too bad. His wife had left the room for us to talk, but he was done.
One young girl was frightened she had overdosed and was going to be sent to the Psychiatric ward. She told me she was scared. I held her hand and had prayer with her. The doctor came in and saw the situation and backed off, but I conveyed to her we were done. After the doctor left, I felt impressed to take her a scripture card "God will take care of you" She took it I thank gratefully. She really needs prayer.
