She didn't complain. She was so happy I could come and offer him some relief.
Before I started the treatment, I explained what I was going to do out loud to the patient. He made some sounds to indicate that he heard me and that it was ok with him if I touched him.
He coughed throughout the treatment. He coughed on my hands as I had them on his chest. His breathing was labored. I tried to make my breaths loud enough so that he could feel a calming rhythm. At his chest, I saw the brushes of a car wash... washing out his lungs...swish, swish, swish.
At his left hand, a man's face appeared very close to mine and then rotated around to the back so that I could see the crown of thorns. The head of Jesus in agony rotated around 3 or 4 times. Tears were flowing down onto my infection control gown. I have had Jesus appear before during a session glowing in white robes, but this time he was suffering.
I told the suffering patient that he was brave. And loved. He's a warrior. I bowed to him in honor.
Who am I to offer relief to these people? They are the heroes. I am in awe.
Although I know that the patient received relief from the treatment, he wasn't able to explain this to me. I do know that the images that I saw brought great comfort to his mother. Knowing that her son was suffering as Jesus did gave more meaning to her care-taking. 'whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me' Matthew 25:40
<3 Lives of service.... so beautiful! EE
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