Thursday was our last day at Hospital Hilario Galindo. This week I’ve taken approximately 2500 photos but I’m only allowed 8-12 daily for the blog. How can one convey all that happened during the week? How can you possibly show all the patients, volunteers, team members, surgeries, anecdotes, stresses, successes, laughter, tears, fears, peace, and on and on…
And the stories…
One of our female patients woke up in recovery anxious and in pain. She was crying out for God. Our Pastor, Kristin, sat and prayed with her. The patient’s vital signs came down; heart rate, blood pressure, as she slipped into a more peaceful state.
I’ll think of the mothers who have birthed multiple children. Their bodies healed so they can walk without pain.
I’ll remember the patients who came in disfigured and left, no longer self-conscious.
The patients in Pre-Op, waiting for their turn in surgery. The waiting must’ve been excruciating. The pre-op nurses calmed their nerves by visiting with them while our pastor prayed with them, comforted them.
The patients who came in with ears so impacted they couldn’t hear and those who left with hearing aides.
Most of all I’ll remember being part of a team of talented, kind, and generous people. I’ll remember the way they talked about each other when I asked about their experience. How they felt lifted up by their peers, and proud to be working alongside each other. I loved hearing those words.
Our last day happened to fall on St. Patrick’s Day. During our morning devotional we were reminded of St. Patrick’s prayer which I had never heard in its entirety. I believe it’s the perfect way to sum up this reflection.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Thank you, Lord. Thank you for all of it.
Amen.
