Monday, March 20, 2006

I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning with an email echoing through my brain which I had just read before slipping into bed and promptly entering a deep sleep. After waking up at this wicked hour, I spouted my normal self talk, "Go back to sleep and think about this in the morning", but when bit and pieces of the email flitted across my mind, I took the bait. I stayed awake until 7 a.m. thinking the details to death. I'm going to regret falling prey to overthinking temptation around 2:00 this afternoon when I'll be in desperate need of a nap. You'd never know I do love and believe in the statement, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, what you will wear. Tommorrow will take care of itself. Consider the lillies of the field. They do not sow or reap, yet they are clothed in more splendor than Solomon in his royal robes."

When Claire called this morning to check in about our plans today, we shared a little giggle fit because both of us had considered calling one another at four in the morning. Today is the day of her appointment scheduled several months ago with a doctor who has a reputation for listening to her patients. Her family doctor, while a very nice man, has not lent her the time or ear necessary to get to the bottom of some issues.

I well up with tears thinking of Claire being heard and understood by a professional who finally may offer something real. Why is it that most doctors simply treat symptoms instead of looking for a way to set things right?

I went my doctor's office a month ago, due to scary chest pains persistantly felt over two days...yes, I'm only 39....but the available nurse practitioner suggested I pulled a muscle by my heart during workout, and that's why I couldn't take a full breath without a seizing pain. After a normal EKG, which only indicated I wasn't having "a great big heart attack", no follow up was prescribed, no nothing. It felt to me like the nurse practitioner was having a difficult time suppressing a smirk and not blurting out, "Are you some kind of weirdo in need of lots of attention or something?" What are the chances I run back to her for help if I'm concerned again?

If you are a praying person, you can join me that Claire will find peace and hope today. She's staring some frightening possibilites down today.



Update: Claire's doctor visit sparked a series of revelation for healing to come- like a firework struck by a lit match.

1 comment:

Kate said...

Wow, well that is wonderful news regarding your dear friend. I hope the Dr. was able to really help her out with her medical issue this time. There's nothing like a listening medical ear...