When I was younger I used to be obsessed with the show ER. I learned many practical things from that show, like how to treat a GSW (gun shot wound) and what to do when a helicopter lands on you.
Eventually I moved onto newer doctor shows, like Scrubs and Grey’s Anatomy, where I not only learned how to intubate, but also how to survive a dysfunctional romantic relationship.
I suppose I’ve always had an obsession with doctors – they have the power to do so much good.
When I was in college I started to become more aware of and concerned with all the injustice in the world. My heart was burdened for the poor and suffering, and I wanted to help in the most practical way possible. I dabbled with the idea of becoming some kind of medical personal so I could assist in medical missions. In the end I concluded that my gifts and talents would be better used in other ways, but the thought still crosses my mind ever so often.
This week God gave me the opportunity to help with a medical missions excursion. Three of my teammates, a nurse, a dentist, a doctor and myself traveled to a Vietnamese refuge village, where we set up various medical stations.
Adam took blood pressure, Anna took notes for the doctor, Emily helped the dentist and I assisted the nurse. Her name is Betty, and she reminded me of my grandmother.
Betty insisted on calling me “Nurse” – probably because she couldn’t remember my real name, but secretly I loved it. My nurse duties included filling people’s prescriptions, counting pills, cutting up pills and sometimes I was the liaison between Betty and the doctor, usually when Betty couldn’t read her handwriting.
