JUDY'S STORY

This is Judy's story. Simple. Clear. Profound. It may change how you work.

Judy's breast cancer had required a radical mastectomy, and she was in the hospital trying to be strong while wondering how to handle all of the changes in her life.

Her husband sat beside her bed, saying all of the right things, and trying to be strong while wondering how to handle all the changes in their lives.

She finally got him to go home. After the kisses and hugs and "I love you's," the door closed and Judy turned to the wall and began to weep. The tears came first as a thin fog, then as a small stream, then as a river of agony.

That was when her nurse arrived, medication tray in hand, her time clock running.

The nurse stood in the dark for a moment, listening to the sobs and taking in the challenge. Then, softly but with steely determination, she set down the tray, sat in the chair, and took Judy's hands in her own.

Judy's river became a flood, accompanied by a hurricane of body-racking sobs.

The nurse sat still, her hands clasping Judy's, her eyes filled with tears of sadness and compassion. No one spoke.

She could have called Judy's husband to come back and comfort his wife.
She could have pushed the sleep medication that waited on the tray.
She could have called a chaplain.
She could have hurried.
Instead, she understood, sat, held, and loved.

Untold minutes passed, both women ignoring the ticking clock, lives clasped much more tightly than hands allow.

Judy spoke first, the eye of her emotional hurricane having passed through the room.

"Thank you," she said. "I'll be OK now."

"Would you like something to help you sleep?" her nurse asked.

"Yes, I'd like that."

In a few moments Judy was alone in the room, her eyelids heavy, her heart full.

In the hallway, a nurse wept.

Philippians 4:6-7...
"When worry squeezes your heart, I will wrap you in my peace."

Dick Duerksen
Assistant Vice President
Mission Development
Florida Hospital

Story courtesy of Judy, and of Fred Lee