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Blessings in the Midst of Pain
By John W. Kennedy | March 3, 2009
Friday afternoon I brought in some wood from the front porch to burn in the living room fireplace. Because we have a huge fireplace, it’s not unusual for me to haul in huge logs. On Friday I carried one weighing about 70 pounds and set it on the floor next to the elevated brick hearth. Unfortunately, I forgot to leave any space for my hand as I set the log down and shoved it to the bricks. (See the re-enactment in the picture below.)
The resulting crush of my hand brought a sensation of physical pain I’ve seldom experienced. As I tore off my glove to inspect the damage, I discovered the skin of the top of my right ring finger ripped apart and dangling precariously. The finger had swollen to twice its size, as blood began spurting on the floor.
My wife drove me to an emergency room after preparing a bowl filled with ice cubes for my throbbing hand. X-rays showed that the bone at the tip of my finger had been pulverized into eight pieces, sort of like what Road Runner used to do when he dropped an anvil onto Wile E. Coyote from a cliff. Seven stitches saved the top of my finger from falling off. The emergency room physician predicted I will have use of the finger again in another three weeks.
As happens in such situations, I always try to look at the bright side. For one thing, this marked the first time in my 50 years that I ever had a broken bone. And there is much more for which to be thankful:
• Only one finger got hurt, not four; if I hadn’t been wearing gloves, the damage would have been more severe.
• Because this happened Friday afternoon, I had the weekend to recuperate.
• I had just finished writing a 3,000-word freelance story on my computer.
• The doctor and other staff in the ER showed great compassion and professionalism. And I didn’t have to wait (the bowl of bloody water probably helped).
• No permanent damage is anticipated. In the meantime, I’m able to type and write with my right hand almost as efficiently as if I didn’t have a bandage on it.
• Despite the doctor forecasting severe pain for several days, I’ve hardly had a twinge of discomfort. I credit friends and relatives we called for intercessory prayer right after it happened.
• The sudden surge of pain apparently scared the kidney stone that had been plaguing me for nearly four weeks right out of my body; I haven’t had any of that related pain since this happened.
Most importantly, I’m grateful for the atoning blood of Jesus. As I took Communion Sunday, the grape juice had a special meaning. I know what a shattered finger feels like. But Jesus endured a painful death, with both his hands and feet crippled by driven spikes. The pain of the Cross isn’t a truth that we should ever forget.
Topics: medicine |
March 9th, 2009 at 8:37 am
I’m wide awake at midnight—jet lagged after a quick trip overseas—and read about your painful adventure. I personally can’t imagine typing after that injury but you are displaying a great attitude that is a blessing to me.
I’m praying for quick and complete healing, John. I appreciate you and your writing.