There is nothing like being old, feeling disabled, in serious back pain and imagining yourself to be not only a fall risk, but a death risk. This condition makes me need good accurate medical care, excellent nursing care, a loving patient spouse/companion living with you, family and friends loving you, prayers, caring visits from a professional pastoral worker, nearby neighbors calling. And THE WORD made flesh, hurting and healing within and among us.
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Dick and I are coping with my severe chronic spinal pain from a compression fracture. It will heal in time they say. How much time? We live in a retirement residential community. Dick and I “train” together as we go. Little things like flexible straws and proper placement of a patient’s moveable tray of treasures—phone, call button, pencil, water, Calendar, cookies. REACHABLE.
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One of my closest friends is an RN. She has specialized in mental health therapy. I pick her brain daily, and she offers me solace just be being there.
To help you appreciate the value of excellent nursing care—trained, skilled, efficient but not officious, caring but not hovering, firm not bossy, wise but not stern, quiet but not recessive, spiritual but not doctrinaire—and with a quiet sense of humor, I introduce THE Doris Armstrong (1933-2022). She was born in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, and died in Connecticut.
I met Doris Armstrong, (I nearly wrote the Rev.) in an Episcopal parish where I served/worked as Priest Associate in the early 1990s. She was the Head of Nursing at Connecticut’s Hartford, Hospital (1976-1991). Her professional credentials are too long to list, but I know that her nieces and nephews chirped with joy when Aunt Doris came to visit. It was a matter of charisma more than intellect. She adds that her uncle, a doctor, removed her and her brother’s tonsils on their kitchen table—apparently with great skill and heaven know what kind of anesthesia. Nothing irresponsible certainly.
I remember Doris in the parish where she was a faithful communicant and full of verve and nerve. No casual opinions got by Doris without discussion. I do not know much about her Christian faith except that it was strong and unabashed and she never missed Sunday’s mass. There is a large photographic portrait hanging today (I saw it) in Hartford Hospital, captioned: THE DORIS ARMSTRONG. Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award.
Who gets called “THE” like that?
And finally, I know a retired nurse here at the retirement residence where I live. Her husband calls her “big nurse” of “cockoo’s nest” fame. She is vigorous, strong and can be quite contrary, yet she comes on the run when called. She helped Dick give me a shower when I could barely stand. The valve to release water from the handheld nozzle sprung-spurted a leak. We all got soaked, and I was the only one naked. She nevertheless held onto me with a firm grip, grabbed the shampoo, washed my hair, and then patted me dry while I yowled.
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love from THE WORD of ALL LOVES in ALL FLESH
