Stories: Emergency Room
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| When asked to reminisce on the spiritual happenings of my mission days, my mind inevitably goes back to the time that I spent in the hospital in Camarillo. Before arriving, I had been very sick for about 10 days. Although I had seen a doctor, nothing was being done to improve my situation. It got to the point where the pain was so bad in my side that I could no longer stand up straight. My appetite was gone and I was having to spend more and more time in bed. Meanwhile my companion was forced to try to find exchanges for her and a place for me to go simultaneously. I will always love Sister Bradshaw for the way she took care of me during those days when I needed it most.
Anyway, one Sunday night (when my temperature was at about 103 degrees) my district leader Elder Rager and his companion Elder Shupe were adamant that I go to the hospital. I fought the idea because I didnt want to bother President Clarke and because preparation day the next day and I didnt want to miss it. As it was, they called President and I ended up in the emergency room sometime around 10 pm. Looking back on it, I often wonder if those two Elders saved my life....and although it sounds somewhat melodramatic, I usually come to the conclusion that they probably did.
When I got to the emergency room they did blood tests but because I was dehydrated they had to poke me repeatedly. I remember singing hymns while trying to focus on something besides the pain. It was determined that I had appendicitis (a condition that had been ruled out some days before.) I was told that I would be there overnight and have surgery the next morning. I was so scared. This feeling was heightened when my companion and Sister Barton (a woman whose love and care for me I will never forget) left for the night and I was alone (which is really weird for a missionary) in a dark room while trying to fight the chill that IVS always bring.
So there I was, feeling cold, alone, and afraid. Then, I felt like I wasnt alone anymore. I knew someone else was in the room and I knew it was a female. Then I got the distinct impression that my Heavenly Father had, and always would while I was in his service, supply a companion for me. I never felt her presence again, but I know that she was there.
I ended up spending just shy of a week in the hospital. It turned out that my appendix had actually ruptured and the operation was more complicated than usual. During the time that I was there, the members in Camarillo were so good to me. I had visitors all of the time. The missionaries serving in the nearby areas also came to see me. Even now, I cant adequately convey in words how much those visits meant.
I was given opportunities to do missionary work even while in my hospital room. I had investigators come and we would read scriptures. I also had a lot of nurses that would ask questions regarding the pictures that I had had stuck to the wall, or who all the people were that were coming to see me. One of the greatest things that happened while there, was that I met Maria Barton - one of the temporary nurses that saw to my needs. We became good friends very quickly and she would ask me questions about what I was doing in California. After I reassured her that Mormons celebrated holidays, she said it would be okay if missionaries came to see her. To make a long story short, Maria Barton was later baptized. I often think about her and her children and hope that they have remained strong in the faith and strong as a family. I love them so much. I love the people that were there for me in Camarillo - I dont know what I would have done without them. Mostly, I dont know what I would have done without my Savior who was there with me all of the way. I owe my health and everything else that I have been blessed with to Him. |
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