A Healing Environment

 

A few days ago, my husband had a procedure done at a nearby hospital on an outpatient basis. With Al’s recommendation, the doctor scheduled it in the hospital instead of at an outpatient surgery center, “Just in case!”

That was a good decision, because during the surgery, Al’s heart rate dropped for a brief period of time. Instead of going home that day, he ended up being assigned a room and staying overnight so that his heart could be monitored.

When his surgeon came into the pre-operating room prior to the surgery, Al told him that the Great Physician had everything under control.

“I believe that too,” said the doctor. “I pray several times a day.”

 That was comforting to hear before surgery! Two of the nurses in the pre-op room spontaneously prayed over him during the short time I was allowed to be with him. Yes, with all of the prayers from family, friends and the medical team, we believed that the Lord was in control.

Then came the news that his blood pressure had dropped while on the operating table, which meant that he would definitely have to spend the night in order to have his heart monitored. I ended up staying with him, after asking permission from the nursing staff and his roommate.

Later that afternoon, there was a surprise visit from Al’s cardiologist who happened to be on call for the hospital that day. Our Great Physician was truly watching over him!   

After Al had chosen dinner from a long list of items on a printed menu and had ordered it over the phone, I went down to the dining room, hungry after the very long day. A sign caught my attention on the way to the dining room: “This Is a Healing Environment!”

In spite of the beeping of IV machines, other strange noises, and the lights being flipped on at all hours of the night during routine checks, there were many factors that contributed to a healing environment. Not only were the skilled doctors and medical staff participating in their patients healing, but also, the architecture and interior design of the building was pleasing. The architects had provided for many skylights and large windows looking out to various gardens. Nice landscaping too, although much of it was covered in snow!

            On the way back to Al’s room from the dining room the next morning, I stopped to look out one window. Seeing me with the tray of food, a friendly nurse wanted to know if I was going outside to have a picnic lunch! We both got a good laugh out of that. Picnicking would have been chilly in the sub-freezing weather, with snow piled on the patio tables and chairs! 

            While walking through the hospital, I enjoyed the artwork along the hallways, especially a series of large photographs of scenic places in Michigan, including several we had visited. Looking at them brought back happy memories and helped relieve anxiety too.

Al’s roommate was a friendly young man, who was waiting to be discharged. We three spent nearly 24 hours in close proximity, and had good conversations. He shared that his father was a pastor and that he and his girlfriend were looking for a church to attend. We invited him to ours, along with an offer to take them out to lunch afterwards!

Thankfully, Al’s heart rate improved, and he was released the day after his surgery—into  the care of “wife and nurse, Judy,” who was and still am depending on the Lord for help!

Hospitals, our homes, churches…all can be places of healing whether it be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. May we be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus to bring healing and hope to a hurting world.

 “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”’” (Matthew 9:10-12 NIV)

 “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Luke 7:21-22 NIV)