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The skin became taunt, rhubarb red... and the pain was troublesome and wearisome. Amela, my wonderful PA in Plastics said, "I want to see you." But I convinced her that maybe we could do this over the phone and email with photos rather than have me drive 4.5 hours for a 10 minute visit. So a photo or two of my poor, poor breast was sent. (Puts a whole new meaning to the term "selfie", eh?).
After Hibiclens soaps, Silvadene cream, Damore and Aquafor ointments and Bactrim oral antibiotics, all began to heal. The tight skin cracked and peeled. And miraculously underneath nice healthy looking skin without infection or pain was revealed. I am thankful for soft clothes and the new ability to sleep on either side at night. Resting better now that I am able to get comfortable. Such a blessing sleep is.
I'm still tired, but less so. Most of the weariness is mental I think. Teaching this semester has been difficult and challenging for me. I am running out of energy to help some of my struggling students. There are about a handful which drain my reserves of patience and encouragement. And I know they have their own story to walk. That my presence in their journey is but a small one. But I take joy in my teaching and guiding students to think on a more complex yet logical level and to make conclusions. In health care education it is called "diagnostic reasoning". I am thrilled when the "ah-ha!" moments arrive and suddenly the student grasps the significance of the puzzle of evidence. But some students seem to not be able to make the transition from simplistic fact ordering of information to the higher level of thinking required in making medical diagnoses. I have tried. Tried numerous techniques and teaching-learning styles available in an online environment. I have called and set conferences in hopes of identifying the disconnect which appears to be prevalent in those that wrestle with the hierarchy of details. And it is draining. Case studies, professional visual scenarios and examinations, and discussion postings related to data mining in a patient encounter.... it doesn't seem to help in these cases. But perhaps I am left without energy because I do not have the energy to begin with.
I want to rest and reflect more deeply. To soak healing into my weary bones and being.
But the tyranny of the urgent, the pressing daily chores, the quickly arriving winter push me to keep working on so many things which seem so very unimportant. But yet oh so necessary.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Today's Journey Joys: super soft camisoles, warm flannel shirts and sheets, toasty outdoor wood furnace, late fall honey harvest of buttery goldenrod, apple pie with crumbly topping, fresh raspberries on spring mix lettuce greens, brave, determined and gentle-hearted son who runs and then cheers his teammates, Homecoming dance, an experience of worship in the presence of the King during church this evening - a taste of heaven. Makes me long dearly for Heaven.
