Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Thanks be to God!

I know this is two posts in one day, but this was important to me. After weeks of waiting for diagnostic testing to follow up my bad mammogram, today was the day. Long time coming to be sure. And I was there for almost an hour and multiple views but the end result is that the all clear has sounded-Thanks Be to God! What happened while I was there was also very moving. After the check-in, and put the robe on, and have a seat in the waiting area, it is clear that I have now taken the last chair and there are 8 women all there for diagnostic work. Just as in the elevator, no one wants to be too close to strangers and yet, there we all are. I pick up the People magazine and sit down. The woman across from me smiles. So I comment on how I would never actually be seen buying the magazine but I can catch up on the beautiful people. Laughter. The woman next to me asks if there is anything good in there. We joke about Suri Cruise having her own stationery. Then the woman next to me says she is tired of the testing because this is a callback appointment. I offer that she must feel frustrated. She shares her story. Which prompts another woman to chime in and soon we are having our own little sharing session as we each of us in the room takes turns going in for tests, coming out and waiting, more tests and waiting. All with the "I know exactly how you feel" about healthcare, what we are here for, a little fear, and a little joking. A woman next to me also has other tests down the hall after this. But she emerges with the news she is free to go, as, fortunately, most of us do. One woman does not, and we all kind of sag under the weight of what is next for her. Our appointments ran slow and took longer than we wanted, but there in that place, God brought us all together to get us through that hour. This little impromptu group that just happened.

8 comments:

Pastor Eric said...

Just like you said in your first post today...Jesus shows up in unexpected ways. It sounds like you chose the "better thing" and engaged in listening and ministry instead of focusing on just your own needs.

Law+Gospel said...

It was a really great thing to be a part of. You could feel God in the room for sure.

Pastor Eric said...

That is awesome!

Gannet Girl said...

I'm so glad you got good news.

For a couple of years, I was having mammograms/ultrasounds every six months. Newer equipment has resolved the diagnostic problem, but my stepmother was dying of lung cancer during part of that time period and the sense of the presence of cancer was oppressive.

Diane M. Roth said...

yes, I am glad you got good news, too. and welcome!

Cathy said...

I, too, am glad you found good news and were there with the "temporary" community of women in the same boat.

I have to share a funny with you:
Your name Law and Gospel, when I get a response from you looks like "lawngospel" in my eyes - I have to look at it twice to read what it really says.

I look forward to your 3 month anniversary! I know you are too!

Law+Gospel said...

Well, I do have a large front yard on a busy main street in town, so when I need to practice for homiletics class, it may be lawn gospel. "Blessed are the weeds for they are always with us".

David said...

What a great story and experience for you. As Eric said, God certainly comes to us in the most unexpected ways.

Glad to hear you got good news. and your group was certainly a blessing to the woman who did not. Bless you.