Getting My Feet Wet In Hospital...
by Anna Parkins
It was in the middle of my workshop training - “Using Touch Therapy in Hospitals” – that I received a call from my long-time friend (and client) needing my help to take her to surgery two days later. Was this coincidental? Astonished that my training could be put to use so soon, I inquired twice about whether she really wanted me there. We agreed to talk later that evening and discuss details.
Miss L. had experienced my energy work (Sound Energy and Reiki) several times before and I was familiar with her medical history. She was scheduled for laparoscopic surgery. I looked at my notes to make sure I understood the procedure. She was to have a small incision made so the doctors could examine the organs in her lower abdomen. When she requested her surgeon as to whether I could be with her in the operating room, pre-op and post-op rooms, the answer was “no”. Not to worry, I would do what I could.
At 8:30 am the next day, I arrived to pick up my client. Her face was pale and I knew she was fearful about the surgery. There had been no time for Miss L. to have an appointment with me prior to surgery, so on the way to the hospital we prepared the various systems in the body (respiration, blood, digestive, lymphatic, nerves, etc.) for what was about to happen, assuring her that all would be well. With each system, we affirmed the body’s efficient working. I said I would be placing her in a bubble of white light.
Before we knew it, we were at the hospital, a new facility about a year old with bright white walls and decor. There were papers to be signed at the admission desk, her face colored during this process and I wondered if she was nervous, but it was not for me to speak at this point. I was just observing. L. was given the standard hospital bracelet and right away she was taken away by a friendly nurse to the prep area. I made myself comfortable in the bright waiting room, closed my eyes, and stuck fingers in my ears. This must have looked comical to onlookers; however, the others waiting were mostly buried under books and newspapers ignoring the blaring television. I was focussed on sending positive thoughts to L. using my visual abilities to surround her with a bubble of white light and love.
Twenty minutes later, I was summonsed to the pre-op area by a nurse ostensibly asking that I take L’s purse. L. was wearing hospital garb including a cap on her head, that looked like a shower cap. In fact, the two nurses present were wearing similar caps, but very brightly colored ones. Immediately I went to hold L’s hand to let her know I was there. I was introduced to the anesthesiologist, Dr. A., and the gynecologist/surgeon, Dr. B., both dressed in light blue. Then I started the four-part brain balance technique I had learned in class and began by placing my hands under L’s head. She gave me feedback on what it felt like. Then I proceeded to the second step, all the time sensing what my fingertips were telling my brain. We said the three short affirmative statements we had repeated in the car. When Nurse J. told L. that she was giving her something to help her relax, L. piped up that she was already relaxed with the work that I was doing. Needless to say, she got the relaxant called anesthetic. And then she was whisked away to the operating room. I had spent twenty-two minutes with my patient. I really felt that I was part of the team!
The doctor had said that the surgery would be 40 minutes to an hour and a half and that he would come out and see me with an update. I went back to the waiting room and mentally did the brain balance technique, I also did Reiki, and envisioned everyone in the operating room surrounded by a white bubble.
At 11:26 am the young doctor approached me asking if I would like to see photos. With equal enthusiasm, I responded yes, and he described each of the 14 photographs showing the different organs and where he had cauterized spots of endometriosis, the obvious culprit. I was fascinated!
Almost an hour later another nurse told me I could come to a back room and see L. Obviously L. was now conscious, talking, etc. In the few seconds I had, I let my hands do the moving. There was no time to think about unruffling the energy field or finding the pain ridge, techniques I would have used if I had been in the post-operating room. My hands just went to a place about 4 feet above L’s solar plexus and acted like a pain drain. L. asked the nurse about her blood pressure and was very happy to know that it had been normal. She smiled at me, happy to know that she was relaxed throughout her surgical experience.
On the way home, we affirmed our gratitude to all the organs and functions of L’s body. I prompted L. to do some tapping on her thymus to stimulate the immune system and then in the few minutes before she went into her house, I put my hand on her upper chest and lightly on her stomach. The Reiki energy would do its work. Before I said goodbye, I commented on L’s face color – it was back to normal. Also she was ready for some rest.
Late the next day I called to see how my ‘patient’ was doing. She expressed her gratitude for me being there for her surgery. This had been a first for me, a step in the hospital door so to speak, a chance to get my feet wet!
This would not be the last time I could be of service to someone having surgery. I pondered again about the experiences my teacher, Bessie Senette, had relayed. I wondered how we could get the word out, that what I was learning and putting into practice (albeit a beginning) could assist patients in recovering faster, need less medication, etc. etc. How could this package that combines complementary medicine with traditional western medicine become commonplace? The answer to this will be addressed in future articles.
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