SYSTEMS OF CARE

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 135

Howdy, howdy blog friends. I hope you’ve been having a wonderful day. For me, things have gone by like a total whirlwind. One might say my day actually began last night, just moments after I uploaded my last post. By the way, thank all of you who read blog no. 134 and shared your words of encouragement. Much love—me thumps my chest in appreciation.

So, back to the story. Shortly after uploading, I received a text from a church friend sharing that her cousin, another dear friend of ours, had been admitted to a hospital in Minneapolis for a cardiac condition. "That’s not good," I responded. At a minimum, prayer was the priority, but more than that, I knew I needed to make the drive to the Twin Cities. She was in a bit of a pickle, and the least I could do was let her know she’s loved, hold her hand, and pray with her in person.

While pastoral care might not be my primary "jam," there’s something to be said about meeting people at their basic needs. For some, like nurses, this comes naturally. Then there are the folks who could use a bit of extra training. My mom always said most surgeons—especially the ones who work on our tickers and noggins—have lousy bedside manners. But wouldn't you think a cardiac surgeon, of all people, would "have a heart"?

That’s a terrible dad joke, isn't it? Don’t shoot the messenger! Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, back to the journey. Hi-ho, hi-ho, it was off to work I go’ed. (That really doesn’t sound right, does it?) Perhaps this "Happy" spiritual "Doc" is sounding a bit "Dopey." I’m trying to be funny here, but I know I’m not quite succeeding. My snark meter isn’t working properly tonight, me thinks. For the third time, back to the story—squirrel!

Two and a half hours and 131 miles later, with Siri’s guidance, I arrived at the behemoth healthcare system in South Minneapolis. I jolted into the correct lane, turned into the purple lot, and parked my car with a rooftop view. Standing there with a breathtaking vista of the city, I realized just how "yuge" this system of care really was. I took note of where I parked, got my bearings, and proceeded on what felt like a two-mile trek through corridors and sky-ways. I’m usually good at following signs, but today I felt like a 180-year-old who had never seen a smartphone before.

Eventually, I arrived at a junction: go right or go left? I saw a sign to my right that said "Cardiac Center" and took a shot. Right inside the door was a help desk. Bless the lady’s heart, she tried her best, though it didn’t help that I didn't come armed with the patient’s Social Security number, date of birth, address, and mobile number. While I’m being slightly facetious, she really did ask for two of those things. "I’m just her pastor," I explained. "I don’t know any of those details." She asked me how to spell the name three times, but the third time was the charm. "Go down the hall, take the elevator to the 8th floor. She’s in Room 8014." Away I went.

I got to the top, and no kidding, the lights in the hallway were off. The conversation in my head immediately started: "Did I go to the wrong place?" I felt like Dorothy when she realized she wasn't in Kansas anymore. After stepping out and turning right and left a few dozen times, I finally arrived. Room 8014. Ahhh.

Knock, knock. "Cherry?" There she was, sitting in her chair, waiting for something, anything, to happen. For the next hour, we chatted about this and that as caregiver after caregiver came into the room to ask questions and prep her for her procedure. Bless them—those nurses just kept coming in, doing their jobs with such precision. As the clock kept ticking, I knew it was time to pray, say my goodbyes, and begin the 131-mile trek back home.

It hit me along the way how our American healthcare systems are truly top-notch. I’ve traveled the world and heard stories from my children who’ve lived overseas, and our systems of care here in the USA really are outstanding. Even in rural areas, we’re blessed. While we might not have a hospital on every street corner, we have incredible options. In one town, you’re in an Allina district; in St. James or Mankato, you’re blessed with the Mayo System, arguably one of the best in the world. In Windom, you have the benefit of both Sanford and Avera. In all these regional centers, there are men and women who care for us when we’re sick, in pain, or injured. God bless our healthcare workers.

Today, I’m thankful for everyone who works within these systems of care. From the doctors and administrators at the top of the pyramid to the unseen orderlies, cooks, and housekeeping staff who rarely get the credit they deserve—and everyone in between, like the nurses, technicians, fundraisers, and paperwork pushers—we have the good Lord to thank for them all.

What are you thankful for today?