1 Corinthians 12:27

 

Sorry I'm typing so slowly, but I am currently limited to one hand (more accurately, one finger), so I am hunting and pecking.  My left hand is out of commission (again, more accurately, one finger).  But that one finger has disabled the entire hand as I've been ordered to keep my left hand and its infected finger elevated higher than my heart.

 

The second doctor I went to last week, my dermatologist, diagnosed a "finger felon" (infection) and is quite concerned. She prescribed a much stronger dosage of antibiotic than the doctor at the walk-in clinic, and she tried to get me to a hand surgeon...but we only have two hand surgeons in St. Joe, MI, and it was Friday afternoon.  "If things get worse over the weekend, immediately go to the ER," were her parting words. Otherwise, I have to see her first thing Monday morning. (Which I have done - things seemed to be getting better.)

 

 I learned something new from the dermatologist - the pads and tips of our fingers are an area of significant concern, a more complicated part of our anatomy than I had realized. As Dr. Killian put it, "Now this may sound a bit strange, but the tip and pad area of your finger is a 'privileged area' of your body, one of the few areas I cannot treat but one for which I must refer you to a specialist." Her strong feeling was that my finger needed to be cut and drained, but she explained the many complexities in the fingertip and that she was not authorized to do this type of surgery.  It would require a specialist, a hand surgeon, someone with credentials and specially trained.  (And yes, when we were finished, she did scold me for trying to 'pop and drain it' myself through squeezing and the use of a needle from Diane's sewing kit.)

  

"A privileged area of your body."  The doctor was correct; her words did sound strange, even a bit embarrassing at first.

 

 Do you realize that parents have chosen you to work in 'a privileged area' of their child's life? Yes, they've asked you to be significantly involved in the spiritual growth and development of their child. Ponder this for a long moment, think and pray about it over the summer.  Very few people will be given such responsibility or allowed into this area of a child's development...but you have been so entrusted in this 'privileged area.' God bless you as you continue to work with His children.

 

(By the way...as things developed further today, after seeing Dr. Killian, it did become necessary for me to call a hand surgeon.  My third doctor and fourth doctor visit in less than seven days.  Believe the following or not, but it is most certainly true.  St. Joe, MI is a small, tourist town in the southwest corner of Michigan, a truly beautiful place on Lake Michigan.  It is also wine country.  I've already told you that there are only two hand surgeons in town.  I called Dr. Logan first, but he could not see me until Wednesday, so he referred me to the other hand surgeon.  Did I mention that this is wine country?  Yes, indeed, the other hand surgeon in town is...Dr. Berry!)