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The thing most disturbing to me is sense on part of nurse to personally identify with my pain. Hence, "And how do we feel this morning?"
I object to this vehemently. It is my pain, not "our" pain. I believe each nurse should go and get their own pain. I'm paying a lot for this pain and I deserve all credit. I do not choose to share my pain with anyone, especially someone with a bubbly orientation so early in morning.
It's my ailment and I have right to not only enjoy it but also tell everyone about it. One reason it's so hard to tell people about my ailment is everybody wants to tell me about their own ailments instead.
My hospital room that I'm paying for should be one place I can indulge my ailment. I should not have to compete with nurses concerning my prevailing ailment. From a casual perusal of medical journals while waiting in doctor's office, there are more than enough ailments to go around.
This is my ailment and I share it with no person, especially healthy nurses wielding needles and pain pills.
If I hear that phrase, "And how do we feel this morning?" one more time I'm going to throw some business to my favorite funeral home.
A related phrase brought just as much frustration. My good nurse came in one morning and quipped, "And are we having our breakfast this morning?"
Looking at breakfast tray before me, with barely enough for me, I simply glared at her. If she had any designs of slicing in on my breakfast, blood would flow. I gripped my plastic knife menacingly.
This whole thing came to a head my last morning in hospital. My evanescent nurse burst into my room and asked, "And are we ready for our bath this morning?" This was straw that sipped last drop of patience from my languishing body.
Nothing is more personal to me then "my" bath. I will share my tub with nobody except my rubber ducky.
Getting rest in hospital is a challenge for weariest soul. Just when you think you have snuggled down for a snooze, someone asks how you are.
The best rest comes from Jesus Christ who invites everyone to "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV.)
His inquiry is always welcome and comes at right time, like now.
Reverend Snyder is currently ministering at the "Family of God Fellowship" in Ocala, Florida. More of his articles are available for reprint at his website: http://www.godspenman.com/ Rev. Snyder is available as a guest speaker. He writes a weekly column and is the author of "You Can Always Tell a Pastor: But Not Very Much" available at: http://www.jamessnyderministries.com/