Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Doctor/Nurse (11/02/06)
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TITLE: Cardiac Care | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lauri Gruen
11/09/06 -
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The appointment with this patient, Alan, triggered recollections of his miraculous medical history. As a general rule, Dr. Lucas tried his best to avoid using the word, “miraculous”, as if it contradicted “M.D.”. Still, this young man had escaped death too many times to count. Dr. Lucas was directly involved as his cardiologist on two occasions within the last three years.
Once, this young man coded while he was on duty at the hospital. His quick response to administer emergency treatment saved Alan’s life. Although he was credited for a job well done, there was always this nagging thought that he was not solely responsible for this man’s survival. True, he diagnosed the rare cardiac infection, his hands performed the necessary procedures, and he gave instructions to his staff. Yet, somewhere deep down he knew he alone could not take full credit for the success.
The second event occurred one year later, when Alan came in to the ER with chest pains. Nothing conclusive came back in all his tests, so a release seemed likely. Dr. Lucas was not 100% sure, even to this day, exactly why he ordered another test, but somehow he knew it was the wise decision. It turned out Alan had in fact, suffered a mild heart attack, which the third test revealed. Although he was pain-free after a couple hours, if Alan had ever walked out of the ER that night, who knows what the outcome would have been.
Dr. Lucas recalled all the interactions he had had with Alan during numerous hospital and office visits over these last three years. It was as if he was reciting a medical chart, but remembering only the peaceful feelings he seemed to experience around Alan and his family, and not any medical details.
They were the same feelings he experienced when he walked into certain patients’ rooms. In the midst of humming machines and beeping monitors, a peaceful aura settled over the room. Sometimes he walked in as his patient’s visitors were leaving, their faces glowing despite some bad news they might have received. Often, while examining his own patient, he would hear family members softly praying for the patient in the next bed.
The brief appointment with Alan reminded him of these experiences and he was almost sorry he hadn’t mentioned them. Somehow, he thought Alan might have some answers.
Realizing he had to go to the hospital for rounds, Dr. Lucas’ thoughts turned back to business. Solving this mystery of surreal peace in the midst of tragedy would have to wait.
When he arrived at the hospital, he reviewed his schedule. One of his regular patients of 20+ years, Mr. Williams, had been admitted yesterday.
He walked into Mr. Williams’ room and noticed an unfamiliar nurse attending to him. Dr. Lucas always made it his practice to know which nurses were taking care of his patients. He asked this nurse if this was her first night on duty.
“Oh yes, Doctor, I’ve just taken this freelance assignment and tonight is my first night,” she politely replied.
She continued attending to Mr. Williams’ needs. Dr. Lucas became aware of her soft, soothing voice – a salve on the patient’s wounds that medicine could not provide. He did not want to interrupt and paid closer attention to the words, as if she held some secret to patient care.
“Mr. Williams, did you know that your name has been heard in heaven? Many people you love have sent their prayers to heaven, asking God to send His special love to you. I want to tell you tonight, that Jesus really loves you and wants you to spend forever with Him in Heaven. All you have to do is believe in Him.”
Without a further word, she was gone. Dr. Lucas followed her out into the hallway, but she had vanished. He went over to the nurses’ desk and asked where he could find Cheryl Saunders.
“Cheryl Saunders?” “There is no such person working here,” was the reply.
More bewildered than ever, Dr. Lucas looked up and noticed a cluster of feathers floating through the air.
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