In my line of work one must cause pain to bring about healing. It’s a fact that Intravenous (into the vein) medications can only be introduced into the vein one way, through a small catheter introduced with a needle. That introduction hurts.
In over two decades of working IV access has been called many things, a stick, a poke, an ouchie, an owie, the devil’s fingernail, all number of negative things. An IV placement is never a fun experience and it can be challenging at times. It is painful but necessary for healing.
So the day I walked through the hallway saying, “I’ve stuck that baby twice already today” and it wasn’t even noon it was no surprise my coworker looked up from his computer puzzled. He knew what I know, multiple sticks in a short time frame is a bit of an oddity. He was puzzled and his expression told me so. He leaned forward like he was ready to help me remedy the situation. I noticed his confusion and quickly clarified.
“Not the baby, her baby.” He was still confused. “Her baby doll, I’ve had to pretend stick that baby twice today.” He leaned back in his chair, the confusion dissipating from his face.
I’ve had to pretend stick lots of babies, teddy bears, Lego dudes, cartoon characters galore. If it is an accompaniment to my patient made of plush, plastic or rubbery covering and can be held together with adhesive I’ve been known to pretend place an IV before placing a real IV in my patient.
Time and experience have taught me having a friend with a similar ailment, in this case an IV, is oftentimes helpful for my little friends. That particular day the plastic patient was just shy of six inches tall making the maintenance of its pretend IV placement a tad difficult; in addition the pretend patient’s caregiver kept carrying her around by said IV. The tape kept giving away. Hence my second stick prior to noon. Before the day was over I would have pretend placed that IV no less than six times.
I’ll be honest I’ve practiced pretend IV placement for a number of years and known it’s helpful for my patients but I’ve never thought about why it’s so helpful until after that sixth stick that day.
As humans we tolerate suffering better when we are not alone. The word is clear in numerous places that we are never alone or forsaken if we know God. We will endure trials and suffering but we are promised we will not do it alone. The enemy works through isolation, God works through community. When we find ourselves in times of suffering we can trust that God is near, close in fact to the broken-hearted, and that He cares for us. Like a friend with a pretend IV, just knowing we aren’t alone is so very comforting and ushers in healing on the heels the sorrow and pain.
Priceless 