Internal Bleeding

He came down, demanding to be seen in the middle of the night, interrupting me as I drowned in chaos of doctor’s orders, telephone calls, other unscheduled sick calls and other delegated tasks by the charge nurse. After all, who else would do the work but only me? We were very short of staff last night as there had been many co-workers calling in sick.

“It is bleeding inside! And look at this mark! I didn’t see that before,” he exclaimed as he raised his outer orange shirt and inner white shirt to show me 3 intact and healing stab wounds on his mid-abdomen. His appendix was just removed a week ago. Complaining of severe pain and internal bleeding, I knew he just wanted more pain medications.

“Sir, with all due respect…that is not a hematoma. You are not bleeding inside. Look closely! The area where they shaved you prior to surgery, those hairs are growing back. And that mark? That’s a dried up Betadine solution or whatever they used to clean your abdomen before they did the incision,” I explained.

He wasn’t saying much after. His vital signs returned normal. As 2 LVN’s approached us and got curious upon hearing his complaints. They both uttered, there was no bleeding!

“Okay, you may go back now to your unit. I just ask that you remain patient. I’m not allowed to disclose any information but you will have a follow up appointment at the hospital,” I added.

Raising his right arm quickly, he tried to cover his mouth and complained that he then felt like throwing up.

“You do?” I asked, this time, my patience wearing a little thin as I recognized how much time was being wasted by a need [drug-seeking] that couldn’t be met. Recalling how much work was waiting at my station, I was starting to grow tired of his complaints.

“Here’s a basin! Go back in the waiting area and you can try to relax there,” I ordered. He didn’t know that was a part of my observation if he would really throw up.

“Well, nurse, can you give me Zofran? [a potent anti-nausea or vomiting medication]” he tried.

“No! You know what? You may go back now to your unit. I can’t give you Zofran because the truth is I don’t even see you get nauseous or throw up even once!” I stated in a little louder tone.

He got up from the metal bench. His subjective excuses must have run out compared to my objective interpretations.

“Look at him!” yelled the Infirmary Deputy. “He was walking so fast going out! If he was having abdominal pain, he wouldn’t be walking like that!”

“I know…I know…”

Suffering?…Who wants it? Trials? Who wants to be in them? Mountains? Who wants to climb them when you have to go through the valleys first before reaching the top. We grow tired waiting for the best outcomes. We grow impatient. We whine. We complain. We want what we think is right for us. Not like me who had gotten impatient last night, I’m glad we can approach Someone Whose compassion, love, and understanding never diminish! God’s compassion never fails!  And that’s His promise….To go through those trials with us. Because Jesus already had overcome the world!!! But the best is yet to come. That’s what awaits…It’s hard to see this future glory when someone is going through a fiery trial. But may we remember that God’s love and compassion never fails!

Lord, we are tired. We feel lost. Sometimes, we doubt. Sometimes, we still stray away from You. Forgive us Lord. Help us see things through Your eyes. Help us focus intently on just looking straight on this narrow path. Help us Lord not stumble. Help us remember that Your plan is for hope and a future. Just like the way that woman with internal bleeding was healed, help our faith to increase. Help us to always trust on no one but You. I lift up all of Your children who need to know You are there beside them. At this very hour, may they all feel Your presence Oh Lord. I humbly ask for you to bless them with Your richest blessings. Healing to those who are sick. Salvation to those who are still lost. Provisions for those who are in financial pain. Comfort for the deep wounds. Strength for the weakening will. Oh Lord, the needs are too many but there is no need that is bigger than You, the mighty God we serve.


In this road, lead us Lord....Lead us Lord...Give us Your discernment and wisdom, guidance to continue to follow. To continue to recognize that Voice. Thank You Lord for Your faithful love, grace, mercy, and compassion...I love You Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen...