Strong and Steady

Last week, I underwent a simple medical procedure called an endoscopy.

I’ve had several endoscopies over the years, so I went into the procedure feeling fairly relaxed. I’ve also had many blood draws without ever experiencing a reaction.

As I sat in a comfortable chair in the pre-procedure room, a nurse inserted an IV into a vein in my hand. It took a bit more effort than normal, probably because I hadn’t been allowed to drink water that morning.

Eventually, the needle was inserted, I felt a sting, and saline moved through the IV into my body.

About a minute later, I felt a sudden onset of unfamiliar symptoms. “I feel really nauseous and light-headed,” I declared.

The nurse responded right away.

“You’re having a vasovagal response. This can happen when an IV is inserted. I’m going to lay your chair back and give you an alcohol wipe to rub under your nose.” She later explained that the strong smell of alcohol reduces nausea.

I did what she instructed—focusing only on smelling the alcohol wipe—and trusted that she would take care of the rest. Before I even had time to panic, the symptoms began to subside.

After a few minutes, I was feeling much better. I told her I was grateful for her quick response—and that she stayed totally calm.

“You didn’t panic at all,” I said. In retrospect, I know how silly it is to say this to a nurse, who is trained to handle things far more serious than a patient almost fainting from an IV.

She smiled. “If I had panicked, how would I have taken care of you?”

Her words stayed with me.

As I reflected on that experience, I realized how important it is to have someone who can remain calm when we are feeling out of control. 

Whether we’re facing a physical illness, a mental health crisis, or simply having a hard day, it is comforting to know that the person in the room with us will remain strong and steady even when we can’t.

Over the last several years, as I’ve walked through seasons of poor health, this is what I’ve come to believe and cling to:

When we have safe, trustworthy people in our corner, we don’t have to carry the burden alone. Instead of using all our energy trying to stay strong, we only have to focus on the next step in front of us (in my case, taking one breath at a time).

This truth changes the way I view painful moments in my life.

I used to spend a lot of energy trying to avoid situations where I might experience discomfort, pain, or vulnerability.

Now I’m more focused on surrounding myself with people who will care for me and help me feel safe when these situations arise.

This doesn’t mean that I welcome pain. But it does mean I feel stronger when I face it. Knowing people I can count on are holding me up as I carry something hard gives me a peace that’s hard to explain. 

I invite you to bring to mind a heavy burden you are carrying. Are you trying to carry it alone? How might it feel to reach out to someone you trust and ask them to help you shoulder it?

When hard things happen, whether they be expected or unexpected, I hope to have strong and steady people in the room with me.

I hope you do too.

Thank you for reading Crafting a Life of Love. My mission is to help you uncover meaning, hope, and love in the stories of everyday life. If this story encouraged you, please share it with a friend!

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