What’s That Smell??

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear . . . Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? . . .Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. ” Matthew 6:25, 27, 34.

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15

What a grand calling we have — to be “the aroma of Christ.” Despite the varying stressors of the work week, I have attempted to focus on being that aroma, such that the fragrance will overpower the stench of my worries,and those of whom I encounter on a daily basis.

The end of last week was especially challenging. Rounds one morning, a morning that will forever be etched into my memory, started with two female patients on either side of the room having seizures almost in tandem. One of the ladies was bleeding profusely through her urinary catheter and the other lady was so frail that her momentary violent seizure looked as if it would break her in two.

On the Female Ward

After resolving those issues, it was only minutes before I encountered another perplexing situation. I was called to another room in which I found a patient seemingly comatose. Though her vital signs were stable, her pupils were dilated and non-reactive and her whole body was rigid, all signs of a neurological insult. She had recently been transferred from the Gynecology ward to the Medicine ward given gingival bleeding and profound thrombocytopenia (low platelets; factors that contribute to blood clotting) of unclear etiology. In the next bed, an elderly female patient was in diabetic ketoacidosis ( a complication of uncontrolled diabetes) because the nurses weren’t giving her the appropriate medications in a timely fashion. I enjoy the intensity of the medical ward, but this was more than intense.

At that moment, I could feel the frustration growing, trying to undermine my sensibilities. But I closed my eyes just for a split second, long enough to say “Jesus.” I opened my eyes and the chaos seemingly became organized. I started thinking out loud, teaching, and making vital decisions all at the same time. In a calm tone, “Hillary, this patient is bleeding into her brain. A CT scan would confirm this but we don’t have that at our disposal. Start her on Mannitol and Dexamethasone NOW. Once you do that, inform the family of the change of events and of the poor prognosis.”  Next I found the nearest nurse and guided her to the bedside of the patient who was in DKA. ” I know you’re very busy and working hard, but realize that we all have a role to play in saving patients lives. You can save this lady! Would you please make sure that she gets her insulin and IV fluids as prescribed? Thank you”

We all face situations, people, bosses, bills, etc that make us lose our cool or create worry. It is at those moments that we should challenge ourselves to be the aroma of Christ. And remember, as my family would occasionally tell me, there are people watching you even when you don’t realize it. That reminds me of a scripture from 2 Corinthians 4:7-10. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

Good news! All the aforementioned patients are doing well. Specifically, to my surprise, the patient with the intracranial bleed markedly improved within 24 hours. She complained off a bad headache but was talking, walking, and ready to go home. The family wanted to go to Nairobi to seek the expertise of a Hematologist about the thrombocytopenia issue and so she left within 72 hours of that potentially fatal event.

I have found that its also very important to have an outlet. While here, I have been playing basketball, table tennis, and volleyball with local Kenyans to relieve the stresses of the day. It has also helped to build relationships and possibly lasting frienships with the people here. I feel so blessed to be here. I’m happy that everyday I can make a difference.

Have a blessed week. Remember 2 Corinthians 2:15.

Peace and blessings,

Darrell

Rainbow over the hospital grounds

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