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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Thankful Hearts




“What a treat!” Barbara exclaimed, flashing a charming smile.  Then she took a sip of her black coffee.

“We haven’t been here in a while!”  I said as I scanned the breakfast place.

It was a delightful Friday morning.  I was determined to fully enjoy my day off.  I had stopped at the retirement community and surprised Barbara with an invitation to a sumptuous breakfast, at our favorite local restaurant.  

Barbara looked radiant, beautiful.  I was so used to see her wearing her nasal cannula and carrying her portable oxygen tank that it just seemed part of her apparel.  Her eyes shone as she browsed through the menu. 

I took a long sip of my coffee, my gaze still fixed on my friend.  In her early seventies, and despite her medical challenges, she seemed to have more energy than many of the younger people I knew. 

“You look good, Barb!”  I felt I had to speak out my thoughts. 

Barbara tilted her head and looked at me, raising her eyebrows, as though trying to catch up with what I had just said, or perhaps attempting to decipher the reason of my astronomical grin. 

“I feel good.”  She graciously replied. 

“I didn’t think you were going to recover so well after seeing how ill you were over a year ago,” I said, sensing a hint of melancholy in my own words. 

“I know...” She pursed her lips and sighed.

My thoughts quickly rewinded to those days in the hospital and then in the nursing home when Barbara was gasping for air—and for life.  I remembered when the option of hospice was suggested by a doctor in the hospital.  I shook my head trying to dust off those heartbreaking memories.

“Dr. Zubair has done more for me than any other doctor in my life.”  Barbara spoke calmly, but with assertiveness.  She reached for her coffee cup and took another sip. 

“He is an amazing doctor.”  I arched my eyebrows, and my mind flooded again with memories from when Barbara was in the hospital.  I recalled my desperate phone call to Dr. Zubair, asking for his intervention in my friend’s case. 

“Has Dr. Zubair been in the nursing home lately?” Barbara asked. 

“He is there all the time!”  I smiled, a feeling of comfort embracing me.

Then, as I continued looking at Barbara, I realized that I often thought of my residents and their inspirational stories, but very few times I’ve thought of those taking care of the residents.

There are many physicians, nurses, aides, other professionals, and workers in the medical field, providing marvelous care to our patients, and comforting their families and friends.  Dr. Zubair was certainly one of them.



He was a physician I trusted with all my heart, and Barbara couldn’t have been more blessed when he took charge of her medical care. 

Not only was he a well-respected doctor, but by watching him in the hospital and in the nursing home, I was quite impressed that he was humble and devoted to his patients.  He had the patience of a saint to deal with difficult cases, and with demanding families.  

I pondered how many people thanked him for caring for their loved ones.  Many, I hoped.  I wondered how many miracles the Lord worked through this doctor, much like Barbara’s case. 

“Here, Barb, let me take a picture of you...” I pulled my iPhone from my purse, set the camera on, and captured yet another radiant smile of my dear friend. 

“Oh, look at my hair!” Barbara giggled.  I laughed as I thought of how adorable she looked with her prideful expression. 

“I’ll show this picture to Dr. Zubair next time I see him.”  I turned my phone screen toward Barbara.  “I want him to see how great you looked today, and will thank him for taking such a good care of you.”

She glanced at my iPhone screen and her eyes lit up with excitement. 

“Are you ladies ready to order?”  A young waitress approached, and politely stood by our table.  Barbara and I looked at each other with gleeful expression. 

“Yes, we are!” Barbara joyfully exclaimed. 


16 comments:

Rita said...

So true! There are so many caring, dedicated people out there. They really deserve our gratitude, as you do. :)

Simone said...

I know so well what it's like to have medical staff that are instrumental in the way we feel. I believe I am healing so much faster because of their extra care and words of encouragement. I hope that Dr. Z realizes what a blessing he is.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Doris,

Let's hope that indeed people do appreciate and thank their medical doctors. We both are forever grateful to our medical doctors who are exceptional and also great personal friends. There are no words sufficient for expressing our gratitude.
Great post as usual.
Thanks for your comforting words on FB.
Hugs to you,
Mariette

Amrita said...

Beautiful story Doris, you bring such joy into people 's lives

Cynthia said...

As usual, Doris, your stories touch my heart. I am so thankful for the beautiful people who choose to spend their lives working with the elderly. In the coming weeks, I will begin to work on a new set of items dedicated to the nurses, doctors, aides, social workers and other medical personnel who give of their time and hearts. I want you to know that you are a ray of sunshine and hope all of us. Many blessings!~Cynthia

Bica said...

What a beautiful story, Doris. I love that you shared a nice breakfast with your friend, and that you "walk the walk." Many of us have good intentions, but it's much easier to talk the talk, than it is to take the walk.

Ghadeer said...

I guess the reward for those wonderful people is the satisfaction that they've made a difference.

A Plain Observer said...

I remember when you wrote about Barbara being so ill and I was surprised and relieved when you wrote again about having lunch with her after her recovery. Friendship does wonderful things to the spirit and body, not just medicine and doctors.

Cloudia said...

Another wise and healing post. Thank you



Aloha from Honolulu
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Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Doris .. such an appropriate post during the Paralympics Games ... Barbara is truly blessed ..

Yet Dr Zubair is a blessing to humanity - may we have many more like him and you ..

Cheers Hilary

Mary Aalgaard said...

Great story. So glad you mentioned the caregivers and doctors. We need reassurances that there are such wonderful and giving health care professionals.

Unknown said...

hi der, I have nominated you for One lovely blog award... Check the following link for details
http://dreamaholicdiaries.blogspot.in/2012/09/one-lovely-blog.html

bonita

Unknown said...

"Hold My Hand" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.

http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-sunday-drive_16.html

Joashy2001 said...

How Social Workers Cope With Stress at Work
Persons employed to offer social services especially to the vulnerable in the society suffer from many challenges (Ting, Saunders, Jacobson, & Power, 2006). Stress at low levels can be a motivational drive but when it builds up to high levels, it becomes hazardous to one’s health. Social workers are not able to do everything assigned to them. If they attempt to do it is never perfect. Human beings are bound to suffer from emotional distress, psychological trauma and stress once something wrong occurs. Social workers are prone to exhaustion and lack of interest as concerns their field of profession. Most affected particularly are those that provide direct services such as behavioral health and health care. Thus, there is need to put in place measures to enable them cope with their way of life.
http://www.highqualitypapers.net/2012/09/how-social-workers-cope-with-stress-at-work/

Unknown said...

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