I still think like a child.  That will come as no surprise to those who know me well.  And those closest to me would point out that I still act like one as well.  No one is perfect.  Since I think like a child, I assume that my personal heroes are invincible.  My mentors are supposed to be like one of the Power Rangers or Superman.  They are not supposed to be affected by the aging process.  They should always have adequate financial resources. They should be immune from the common ills known to man, like cancer…

One of my heroes was diagnosed not long ago with a rare form of blood cancer.  He has been hospitalized, poked, prodded, tested, and evaluated by specialists that I did not know existed. I went to see him last fall during one of his hospital stays.  I was tempted to grab one of the nurses tending to his needs and remind her in no uncertain terms that she was caring for none other than the Rock of Gibralter.  He is to be handled with special care!   Images of a hospital security guard shoving me out the door immediatley popped in my head, so I resisted.

The Rock has been good about keeping his friends updated about his health situation via email.  That has been helpful.   In his most recent correspondence, he said this:  We were able to take a tour of the floor where I will receive the bone marrow transplant  in Dallas yesterday. We met the Floor Nurse and received a general orientation of the facilities, team, and procedures involved. We were highly impressed and came away reassured that we are in good hands and on the right track.  After reading this most recent update, I was naturally encouraged.  Another thought struck me as I pondered his impending medical procedure.

What would we do without competent and benevolent nurses?  People entering a hospital for a major procedure are feeling one primary emotion: fear.  They are scared and intimidated.  In many cases, they do not know what to expect.  They are placing their care in the hands of a group of medical professionals.  Nurses are on the front line.  Floor Nurses take anxious patients on tours and work closely with families of those same individuals.

  I have visited hundreds of people in all kinds of hospitals over the years. I have accompanied nurses to deliver death notifications in the emergency room. I have worked with nurses as they served victims of sexual assault, those who have attempted suicide, and people injured in serious car crashes.  And then there are the kind nurses who are willing to take a few monents to listen to an elderly patient tell a story. What about those special nurses who work in a children’s hospital?  I have watched those special servants deal with children and parents with great skill and compassion.  I have a special place in my heart for Hospice nurses.  I can’t possibly recount all of the instances where I have seen a Hospice nurse reach out to a family and make a difference that they will never forget.

I have experienced two hospital stays as an adult.  I have a few personal biases about nurses. I prefer a nurse who will feel sorry for me. I want to be called “honey” and be doted over. Mr. Knox, are you sure you don’t want another pillow?  Can I get you anything…. honey?   But most importantly, I just want a competent professional who has not lost sight of the fact that a patient is scared. Nursing is like all people-helping professions. It is easy to become hardened and cynical.  It is all too easy to lose sight of the goal. One of the goals is to serve people who are overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty.

 It sounds like my longtime mentor and Rock met that person in Dallas this week.  I am so thankful.  He or she is officially elevated to sainthood in my eyes. Obviously, that person was not emulating the attitude of the hardened Nurse Ratched portrayed in the classic movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  May  God bless these competent professionals.  During the rare occasions that I think like an adult, I realize that even superheroes are susceptible to the diseases common to man . So…. I am grateful for nurses today. They are superheroes who come to the rescue when we need them most.