Thursday, September 29, 2016

you'll need others...







Dr. Panwalkar strode into the exam room last Tuesday, and after shaking hands, he plunged into asking about my back pain, before he even sat all the way down.  

"So what's this I hear about your pain?"

So I tell him all about it.  And as I do, he leans back, his hand resting on his jaw,  intently listening.  He asks all kinds of questions and then says, "Well lets examine you."

I breathe deep, a few extra times this time.  He is listening to something, but makes no comment.  I have no burning need to know.   Back, then front.  He checks my nodes, my neck, my shoulder.  He checks my abdomen, pushing in as I hold my breath... "Any pain here?"  "No, it's fine," I answer.

He thumps down my spine, finding no sore spots.  He checks for swelling in my ankles and arms, throughout my stomach.

He leads, I follow.  Mouth open, eyes staring, arms up, then down.  Till finally, he rests his hand on my shoulder, steadying me - the only sound- the buzz as he brings the exam table down.   He then pats me and nods at my seat by Rick.  I smile when he goes to shorthand, and I read him smoothly.  The movements are all choreographed in a way, and it calms me so, knowing we've done this hundreds of times.  

He again sits, leaning back, pondering what may be causing such discomfort.  Distance grows in his eyes, as he shares a bit about watching his grandparents go through treatments for pain back in the 80's.  It occurs to me Dr. P would have been a child at the time.  He suddenly blinks, and says "sorry."  But its those rare glimpses of him outside of being a doctor that help me feel I'm more than my label of patient, too.  

So he offers the idea that perhaps the pain is coming from radiation damage from the treatment I had to my lung awhile back?  And since neither one of us thinks it would be cancer, truly I just need to work on alleviating the pain.  He agrees with  both the ideas of seeing a chiropractor or seeking acupuncture, and mentions I could see Dr. Lien.  

As he makes refills on my scripts, he asks, "Any more questions?"  And he turns, drops his hands, and looks me in the eye to see I'm shaking my head no, and smiling.

We accomplish so much in our time together.  He is my "other people."  


Look at how others keep showing up to see me through...

Homemade baked goods- salty, spicy, sweet and yummy!  A young college student with a heart of gold who spent a day baking, then dropped it off on our front step- thanks Julia!



Shan mothers me so- the perfect box of natural pain relief and organic and yummy treats- all the way from Tennessee- a true box of love.  


All the way from Germany- Mimi makes me a beautiful beaded necklace with my favorite blue color!  The angel is pure delight.  I'm so touched by this outpouring of love from others.


As much as I love my Jesus Calling devotional- receiving a copy of this was pure gift- I dip in daily for spiritual nourishment.  Thanks Annie for the connection that endures.  





Sometimes, you get to be the "other" for someone.  Rick and I were so grateful to help my friend Karla, give something very special to her grandson, Brody.  With Karla's permission, I'm posting this fun surprise, a gift from one very special hockey player- to another.  




Who are your others?  Who might you be an other for?  







17 comments:

  1. So. Much. Love. In. This. Post. It's full of His Spirit. Full of everything we are to be to each OTHER in His Name.

    I love you. Thank you. Such a priceless gift you just gave me--you teach us how to live and love.

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    1. Yes- HIs spirit, Julie- I love how you see that! You teach me as well- so glad to have you as an "other" in my life! I love you~

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  2. Vicky, I'd like to think we have been "other" for one another. :) I know it's true from this end! :) I am so grateful for you, friend!

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    1. Yes, Roxane, happily and gratefully so! It's Friday night and I'm praying for safe travels for you and the gift of a lovely and fruitful event this weekend- look forward to hearing all about it!

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  3. A beautiful, inspirational story, Vicky. God continues to bless you and send angels to see you through this. Sending hugs.

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    1. So fun to see you here, Pinky! Yes- such truth in your words and huge gratitude in my heart for just that. Sending hugs right back to you!

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  4. Vicky... you are truly loved and an inspiration to us all. I continue to keep you in my prayers. I hope that back pain disappears soon.

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    1. Katie- thank you sweet friend- so grateful for those prayers- they truly see me through!

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  5. Prayers Vicky for strength and healing of your back. Thank you the inspiration you are to me and such a blessed friend. Sending love and hugs.

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    1. Eileen, I just see your name and instantly feel your "otherness" to me. You've blessed me so with such uplifting encouragement always and I'm forever grateful for you. Love and hugs to you, sweet one.

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  6. Oh, FIRST what GOOD news that it is "just" pain, maybe from the radiation but not a spread of cancer. GRATEFUL, Honey!! And may chiropractic and acupuncture bring you the much needed relief you seek.

    Loved loved LOVED the video from Matt Cullen and Brody's (and the other kids'!) faces as it all unfolded. What a great guy he continues to prove himself to be. Wow and WOW as I think of all the stupid things done by some professional athletes and then THIS guy.....THIS guy makes the world a better place in so very many ways. And I also love your "others". You have some of the best and so do I. Could not make it without my others. One of them showed up at my house yesterday with snacks and refreshments just to celebrate my new backyard and not wanting me to have to stop to entertain. And I am blessed by my dear others so frequently. May I not fail to be that in return for them.

    Love you and so grateful for this post. When it said, "You'll need others" I worried but saw immediately it was in a happy way. Thank you, Lord. Yes, we will need others. Beautiful post!

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    1. I have no doubt, absolutely none- that you are there for others! I've seen proof of it time and again- you poured such joy into my heart watching you travel to a concert with your friend- I just know you lifted her so just by being with her! I keep remembering the quote "We're all just walking each other home" hence others... So blessed to have you as an other to me- love you friend!

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  7. "Just pain" sometimes can be music to the ears.

    My "others" are my family, every one.

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    1. So true, Karen. And you have always shown a strong sense of family- its truly admirable and something I strive for!

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  8. Oh my dear, sweet friend,
    What a blessed relief, and answer to prayer, that your "pain" was not something new and not a sign of more cancer. I have been praying and praying that whatever was causing this would be "doable."
    So what "good news" that your wonderful Dr. P suggested chiropractic and acupuncture!!! And what a tender moment when Dr. P shared about the pain his grandparents felt. What an honor that he is so real with you!!

    And my tears started to flow when you shared about what Mat had done for Brody. Oh those sweet little faces looking up at the screen. Of course they knew who he was. "That's Mat!"...a hockey legend. And Brody with that huge hockey stick just made me grin from ear-to-ear. Mat's giving heart is so refreshing in an age where so many big "stars" just aren't like that.

    And your quote about the needing each other? Well the damn of tears I have been trying to hold back just broke as I read those words. This has been such a hard month for my beloved family,
    our hearts are broken and each and every prayer said for us has been such a gift. My "others" have shown up, been there, cried with us and prayed and prayed. We are all still praying.

    Thank you, my dear sweet soul sis for your prayers and for being an "other" for me. You mean the world to me and I hope that in some small way, I have been an "other" for you as well.

    I love you Vicky He'd Westra, to the moon and back! ALWAYS!
    Linda

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    1. You are definitely an "other" to me- and I'm so lucky to get to be one for you! My prayers continue on for your sweet family, and I pray the "showing up" for you continues as long as you need that circle around you. Love you, precious friend- to the moon!

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  9. Okay, that angel just could NOT be cuter. What a fun gift! I hesitate to be grateful for pain, but when you add the "just" in front of it, maybe it's not so bad. Especially if you and Dr. P can figure out how to manage it. Hope you've been able to do that since you posted!

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