As the Years have Passed I have become More Aware…
When I started out as a Phlebotomist, my awareness that we are all on a different path with different challenges and obstacles was almost non-existent. My world revolved around me… at the center. I was 25 years old in 1983. My Partner, My Love, My Lupe and I had been married for almost 3 years when I began working as a Phlebotomist. Looking back on myself at 25 from where I am now… I wish I could share with my young self… a few things…What would I tell a young Steven? What would I try to let him know?
We are all branches of what we were enlightened with as young children, for good, bad or in between. We have no input as to what that will comprise of. When we enter this world, Serendipity smiles on some of us and sometimes it is lacking. If we are fortunate enough to live long enough, we are tasked with deciphering what we have been presented with from our parents. Sometimes it is our Parents, sometimes it comes from the other defining individuals of our early lives. As young children we use whatever came our way as our foundation and then we become aware of our innate or acquired strengths and weaknesses. All the varied factors that inhabit our young lives shape us for better or worse. Then as we begin the journeys of our lives, if we are fortunate enough, we make choices. We begin to make choices about what we want from our lives. We begin to work with what we have, acquire the education, skills and resources needed to help us in our quest to find direction on our own unique path.
One of the things I would try to share with young Steven… “Be ever so grateful for all that the Universe has provided you. It is not a level playing field. Some of us have been dealt with challenges and obstacles that You will never know Steven.”
This morning I had a young man, whom I had never met before, come into my workstation for his lab work. His stature was shorter than average. His arms and legs were shorter than average. He had difficulty positioning his arms for me. I do not know what his physical condition was that had dictated his personal struggles when He came into this world. I was challenged with finding a vein that was suitable to collect his blood work on. I spent a few minutes, looking from one arm to the next. As I evaluated his arms, I realized that his Life had been imbued with challenges and obstacles he had to overcome that I would never know or experience. The 25 year old Steven would have been oblivious to this fact. I probably would have been more irritated than anything for having to take more time with him. I would have probably been thinking, “This guy is slowing me down.” “Why does he have to be more difficult?”
Now… The Steven of today, of 2021, was aware of his challenges and I felt empathy for this Young Man and the evident path he was walking. I tried to let him know in my actions, that I cared about him as a unique person sitting in my Phlebotomy Chair. I called upon all of my experience to ensure that I did my best to minimize his pain and to treat him with all of my respect and consideration. I struggled just a little, when I tried to pick up the vein I had determined to be my best option. I had to delicately reposition my syringe just a bit to pick it up. He squirmed in the chair just a moment, but He was so happy when I was successful and blood started to fill my syringe.
He let me know that most people struggled much, much more than I had to, when I collected his sample and began filling his tubes. I felt like a hero when it all went well and He and I connected as new found friends. After I collected his blood and he was holding the cotton ball for me, I saw him begin to slowly start dancing in the chair as he listened to the Cool Jazz I had playing. He told me, “I like your taste in Music.” The Saxophone Artist I was listening to was Hank Mobley, one of my favorites. Look him up when you want to listen to something, mellow, uplifting and passionate. I wish the 25 year old Steven would have been more aware of connecting with his patient like I was able to, this morning. My Patient’s rhythmic body language as he felt the good vibes coming from my music, let me know his experience was as positive as I could have made it. We bumped fists and smiled at each other when he left.
As Phlebotomists, we are given the chance to have short glimpses into the lives of the patients we serve. I try to remember now that every patient I encounter is a unique, thinking, feeling person, just like I am. As passengers on this plane we call Earth… We are here but for a little while. We need to remember to try to make the journey of those we encounter every day as peaceful and as uplifting as we can. I try to put myself in the place of my Patients now. Every day, I encounter Patients who have been dealt by the Universe with unfair hands. Hands they have no choice… but to play them out as they were laid. When they leave my workstation, I now, often find myself closing my eyes and asking the Creator to help them…
I have had challenges in my Life that I have overcome. I have Loved ones in my Life who have overcome overwhelming challenges and are strong, resilient examples to me and mine. I am sure you have had challenges of your own that you have had to overcome. My hope for You is this…The next patient you encounter, please try to remember that they are on a unique path of their own. You have the ability to make their experience with you as caring, as peaceful and as empathetic as you can. The good energy you spill onto your Patient will spill back onto You – In Waves…
Like Obi-Wan Kenobi said to Luke Skywalker—“May the Force Be With You” …
Remember, The Universe Cares for You and just wants You to, “Lean, Lock and Roll into it … “ … Steven …