Perspective: From annoyance to love

During one of my doctor’s appointments, my physician requests I have a chest X-ray and have some blood work done. It is nearly 4 p.m. My mom and I know we have to make a mad dash to get these procedures done. The lab is located on the ground floor of my clinic building. Radiology is located in another building, about a 15 minute walk away.

My mom and I decide to do lab first. We arrive at the place a little after 4 p.m. We check in and wait...and wait...and wait. At 4:35, I tell my mom we need to go to X-ray as they close at 5. This lab is open until 5:30. If we are fast, we could probably have the X-ray done and be able to make it back to the lab before 5:30.

My mom and I race off to X-ray. We check in and wait to be registered. I have the X-ray done and am rolling out of radiology around 5:15. My mom runs, pushing my wheelchair, trying to make it back to the lab before 5:30. At 5:25, we arrive at the lab. I sign in. The woman at the check in desk then stands up and locks the door. The waiting room is empty. After five minutes, I am called back to have my blood drawn.

The laboratory technician is a beautiful young girl around 20-25 years of age. She is very nicely dressed. I notice she took much care to coordinate her outfit and jewelry. Her hair is professionally pulled back, out of her face. When the young woman speaks, I immediately hear her Caribbean accent.

As the technician is checking the information on my work order, she begins talking to me. She tells me how it has been an extremely chaotic day. A number of things have happened which have caused her to have an over abundance of work. She has been struggling all day to get everything done as well as draw labs. The beautiful girl is nearly on the verge of tears. I notice her hands are slightly shaking, a sign that the day’s stress is greatly wearing on her. I am shocked she is telling me all this. 

I am familiar with Caribbean culture. People at work are always professional. They pay great attention to ensuring they look their absolute best for work. They are polite but reserved. They do not express emotion. They will ask how they can assist you. They talk only about business; they do not speak about personal matters. Knowing the Caribbean code of conduct for work, I know this woman must be in a great deal of agony. I am her last patient for the day. If everything goes well, she should be clocking out and on her way home very soon.

I am not sure what to do. I try to give the woman some words of comfort, telling her I hope the rest of her week goes well. The woman quickly finishes taking my blood. I am soon out the door and on my way to the car. As I think about the lab technician, my heart breaks. While I was annoyed with the wait time at the lab before deciding to go to X-ray, I never thought that there may be a reason the lab seemed to be in so much chaos. I pray to God, “Oh LORD, help this lab technician have a wonderful, peaceful night. Allow her body to find rest and recover from today’s stress. Please allow the rest of her work week to be one of little stress and much joy. Please forgive me for my shortcomings. I was so wrapped up in my own world of worry, I forgot to pray for those around me. Amen.”