After you do all you need to do…REST.
(The Zoo, Daejeon South Korea. Picture by Lisa R.)

Lessons from my hospital bed. Yesterday I went to the ER at 3pm. I had abdominal pains the night before (the kind that made me pray, Lord if you get me through the night. I promise…). The next morning I woke up (packed a bag for just in case) and went to work. I left work early for a previously scheduled doctor’s appointment. Then I drove to the hospital. Here’s something interesting, until I reached my destination no one really knew how I was feeling (not even my family). I have had several hours, lots of medication, and a comfy hospital room to think about my actions. I once read a quote by Maya Angelou that went like this, “You can be in pain, but you don’t have to be a pain.” That statement has stuck with me. I see it lived out everyday in the lives of my cancer patients. They don’t let their illness dictate their life or their attitude (the majority of them at least). Yesterday I smiled, I laughed, and I enjoyed the day (all the while feeling sick). I learned two important lessons. The first is this: We really can control our actions. We don’t have to act on every whim of our feelings. We aren’t the only ones in pain, others are hurting too, sometimes you have to hold your pain, in order to be there for another. Society teaches us to look out for ourselves. I say our needs will be met if we look out for others first. Yesterday I wasn’t a burden to my family, my co-workers, or my patient. Today my needs are being met.

“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave” (Matthew 20: 26-27, NLT).

So what am I thankful for today? Life lessons and nice hospital rooms. (My second lesson? Hospital gowns are waaay too breezy)