Before I left home early yesterday morning, I received an email message from a much-younger friend who is an oncology nurse. She said she is finally ready to read Breast Strokes. She hadn't felt ready until now, because of the challenges of her profession. Not every patient benefits from or survives chemotherapy. The nurses carry the losses in their hearts. I told her I thought the book would help her, that it is not a sad book, but a book about mindfulness, presence, and friendship. I remembered the nurse from radiation who always made sure our gowns were warm. He said he felt he came to a temple each day, a mosque, or church. He knew he did sacred work. We wonder if there are angels. Yes, there are. They are here, daily saving lives and administering care.
Then, on the plane coming here, there was an announcement that someone needed medical help and requesting a nurse or doctor. My daughter-in-law is a doctor so ended up at the front of the plane attending someone who appeared to be having a heart attack. After some time, there was an announcement that we would be landing in Portland, so the woman could receive the medical care she needed. The plane went into a swift descent, and everything was cleared for our approach. It brings tears to my eyes even now to think how everything mobilized to help one human being. All cleared for our plane to land. There wasn't a murmur of dissent on the plane. I'm sure everyone, as I did, appreciated that the same would be done for us.
There are long lines for security and long lines for customs, and it is easy to get frustrated with airline travel, but it is also an incredible bonding for those involved when we mobilize to save one person's life. What I also saw is how hard it is to be doctor and make these kind of decisions. Most medical decisions are not black and white. I know now that flight attendants are not trained in medical care. They had no idea how to use the equipment that was drug out from somewhere in the back of the plane. They didn't even know what was there for use. I remember when flight began that flight attendants, or stewardesses as they were then called, were nurses. A medical person was always on-board. I suppose the odds are there will be a medical professional on each flight, but meanwhile there is an emergency and a doctor is thrown from beginning to relax for vacation to a super-adrenalin response of alert.
I see that a doctor like Jan carries each patient with them, often makes literally life or death decisions, and then, plays the scenario back as a learning for next time. I think most medical caregivers work like that. They don't get jaded. They see a person's tears and touch the pain.
I declare this "hug a doctor or nurse day". That will be easy for me. My beloved Jan is here.