A Needle, A Nurse, and Near Death

When my wife made an appointment for me at the doctor, I just pictured a brief visit which would end with me receiving a prescription for some medication. Since last Friday I have felt a little under the weather so I decided that it was time for me to get checked out, especially when I considered that I’d be traveling out of the country next week. Upon my doctor’s arrival in the room he did all the regular actions such as look in my ears and throat as well as ask me questions about my symptoms. After the examination was complete he gave me the verdict – some kind of a sinus infection. “No problem,” I thought. “Just give me the meds and I’ll be on my way.” Then without warning I heard him use the word “shot.” The rest of his instructions got lost following the ultimate doctor curse word. Even the mention of a needle sends cold chills throughout my body.

After my doctor left the room, a nurse appeared in the doorway with what I swear was the world’s longest and pointiest needle. I had already taken my jacket off to give her quick access to my arm because I believed this would expedite the process. “Which hip do you want it in?” she asked with a smile on her face. “Excuse me,” I thought in my mind. Did she just say “in the hip”? I cautiously stood to my feet but she must have noticed the apprehension in my eyes so she said, “This one doesn’t hurt.” Yeah, right! Anytime sharp objects are punched into someone’s skin it hurts! I don’t care what they told you in nursing school! Oh, and by the way, that wasn’t my hip because my parents didn’t spank my hip! I went to the doctor expecting to get help, not to be put through more agony.

When a person seeks help, that individual doesn’t expect to experience pain in the process; however, the destination of healing is often traveled by way of the path of pain.