I’m lying in a hospital bed on Wednesday of this week as I write this. I came to the ER on Monday night/Tuesday morning with abdominal pain. Turns out, I had a blockage in my small intestine.
As of right now, the jury is still out on how they will resolve this. Seems like doctors have a good plan in place. It just depends on how my body reacts.
This hasn’t been easy. I haven’t been allowed to eat or drink anything since coming into the ER. The hospital is short-staffed so they don’t have enough nurses to cover all the beds, which means they can’t use every room. As a result, I remained in the ER for the duration, at least so far. That also means not having a private bathroom or any availability to a shower. No toothbrush or razor. And I constantly needed to self-advocate.
As the time ticks by, I’m thinking about my editing deadlines and family obligations, knowing there’s not a thing I can do about any of them.
Being flat on your back every once in a while, dependent on other people, is probably a good thing for a Christian though.
As much as we like to think we control our little universes, we really don’t. We’re all one diagnosis, one misstep, one mishap away from learning that lesson all over again.
Then you are at a stranger’s mercy — a doctor you’ve never met, a nurse you’ll never see again, a case worker or someone else you didn’t know before that moment.
All of this is just a constant reminder of my need to depend on Christ. Give us this day our daily bread. That’s what keeps running through my mind. Lord, give me what I need today, in this moment. That is all I really need.
P. S. Doctors released me yesterday. The obstruction is clear. The cause is still a bit murky but may be related to a new class of medication I’ve been taking. I appreciate your prayers.
