You'll want to read my story from the previous post "What I Can Do With A Straw" before reading my reflections below. I explained to her that I was unable to remove the paper around the straw for her her due to the fact that I still had limited mobility in my left hand. She didn't seem to mind, and expressed her thanks for the straw. That little act opened the food gates. She started ranting about how she needed to lie down, she felt so sick and sitting in the wheelchair was not working for her. And why couldn't her husband just be with her? She needed him and didn't understand what the big deal was. She had been waiting so long. Why was it taking so long? I tried to express my sympathy and said, "I'm sorry! Hopefully, they will come get you soon so that you can be finished and home and get the rest you need." She replied with, "I hate this wheelchair. I just want to go back to the hotel. I've had enough. I'm going to scream! I'm just going to scream at the top of my lungs and then maybe they will come take care of me!" Well, I didn't really care for that idea... So I said, "What is your name?" "Sara," she replied. "Sara, please don't scream just yet. Let me go to the nurse's station and see what they can do for you." By this time my left leg was feeling a little wobbly getting up and down and walking so much, and I was thankful to be wearing my brace to stabilize my ankle. I made my way back to the nurse's station and told them about the woman named Sara that needed her husband and had threatened to scream. Wasn't there anything they could do for her? Within minutes, they had retrieved her husband and found her an exam room where she could wait with him and talk to a nurse. I made my way back to the waiting room for my regularly scheduled treatment. I've had much time to reflect on this experience. First of all, I have learned that one of the best ways to forget about my problems is to put another's needs before my own. And I definitely have my share of problems. I am totally within my right to be needy, to feel despair and anger and sadness. I really could get away with laying in bed all day, having people wait on me hand and foot. I had major brain surgery a mere 2.5 months ago. I've got brain cancer for crying out loud!
But that isn't what my body or soul needs right now. I believe in a loving Heavenly Father who loves me and knows me better than I know myself. I feel that the idea of getting a straw for Sara was not my own - I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to perform this simple act of kindness for this woman. Not only was it a loving act that ultimately allowed her to be comforted by her husband in her time of need, but it was a great reminder to me of the good I can do. A few short weeks ago, I was the one in the wheelchair. I couldn't even go to the bathroom by myself without one nurse to lift and stabilize me and a second person present to help me wipe my tushie. I didn't even have the strength to open a door. And here I was opening doors and WALKING through hallways unaccompanied to retrieve this straw. I was able to view how far I have progressed in such a short time. Such gratitude feels my heart every time I recall this experience. And although I still have a long road of healing and recovery ahead of me, I can be useful. I can be kind. I can make another person's day brighter in some small way. God has given that gift. He knows that this is a necessary component of my healing process and has allowed me simple opportunities to serve and love.
2 Comments
Annie Eastmond
6/19/2016 10:09:13 pm
I absolutely love you! You are amazing, strong, and will bring courage and hope to others as they read your story. Your husband and kids are also amazing in helping you deal with this. I'm proud to be your mom.
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Dan Eastmond
6/23/2016 02:50:42 pm
Andrea, what a spiritual experience! I ditto Annie's comments; you continue to be a great example and testimony to your Dad as well.
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December 2020
About MeMy name is Andrea. I'm a Mormon mom in my 40's and I am fighting a rare type of brain cancer: Anaplastic Astrocytoma. |