Well before the last written about ER visit, I was summoned to a friend's home as she was on her hands and knees, throwing up, in severe pain. I went, wiped her face and got her in the car and we headed for the ER about 20 miles away that is on her Kaiser plan.
She could hardly sit in the car. I think, actually that she might have been in the back. Staying upright was nearly impossible. However, the vomitting had helped to alleviate some of the pain for a little while.
About the time we entered the hospital, another attack began. She hit the floor. No, she didn't faint, she hit her hands and knees in pain. Apparently, the only bearable position was on all fours kind of crouched. And, being a good friend, I did not walk away.
When she was able, we got her checked in. And again, all of the questions have to be asked.......insurance, drug allergies, drugs taking, level of pain.....on and on. For pete's sake, "didn't you just see her on the floor? Can't you infer the level of pain from that? I mean, seriously, how many grown women would hit the floor in the lobby of a busy hospital?" No, I didn't say it, I was polite.
They had us in a room fairly quickly. Put her in a gown. Put her on a gurney. Went to get the IV that seems to part and parcel of any trip to the ER. While they were gone, the attack intensified and gown and all, she was up on her hands and knees mooning whomever should walk in.......I confess, I laughed. I tried not to. I was there to be supportive, but oh my gosh. How to even put that into words.
By the time they medicated her, she was in excruciating pain. More questions as they give the drug.....I know that they have to, but I am amazed at how dumb it seems at the moment. And then, the sweet release from pain. Rubbing her back as her body finally began to relax. Falling asleep in the darkened room leaning on the railing of the gurney. Praying. Thankful.
There is nothing more satisfying than having pain end. Oh, a pain free life seems good, but when there has been no pain you don't fully appreciate the lack of pain. It's in that moment of greatest pain, when even more is being asked of you than you think that you can possibly endure when you are begging for release that you see how good it is to be freed from the pain. And you are willing to endure even more pain to get the release. "Oh please, put in the needle, the big long needle. Push in that stinging, burning medicine." At no other time would you be wanting that. But when you are in the worst pain, the hope of what the medicine will bring allows you to face just a little bit more.
So it is in life. When life is most painful sometimes you have to face just a little bit more pain before you can be done with it. Sometimes you have to face your greatest fear, make a new start, make a new decision, change. And it's painful. But when the release from pain comes, it is all worth it. It feels so much better than before you experienced the pain in the first place. Relief. Thankfulness. Gratitude. And it changes you forever.
Embrace where you are. Even in pain. Look forward with hope to the end, but go ahead and live in it. If you learn from it, it is a lesson that you will carry with you and that you will be able to share with others.
For instance, we now know that that kind of pain often indicates a gall bladder attack.
blessings,
rhonda
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