Pastor Pete fulfills medical responsibilities with passion

BY Pat Van Dyke

Sometimes, you take a break in life willingly; and other times, you are forced to step to the side and rest. To get me to stop and rest, it has to be forced.

Four months ago, I found myself admitted into the hospital with a deadly blood infection and a slight chance of “making it.” With the expert care of the staff at both Loma Linda University, Murrieta and City of Hope, Duarte, I praise my Lord that I did make it! I am now doing well but far from totally recovered.

I learned much in the past 10 weeks. I have learned to slow down. I learned that walking does not come naturally and learned that a “walker” doesn’t necessarily mean that you are using it for “walking.” I learned that you spend most of your time “hopping” behind a walker.

There are also some other very important things that I learned in the past few months. I have learned that Pastor Pete is an excellent caregiver. His medical skills have reached new levels! When I returned home after two weeks of hospitalization, I was “on a PICC line” which had to be changed daily. After just one session of instruction, he thought that he had the system mastered but I am thankful that my daughter, Allie, was paying closer attention.

I have always had a suspicion that Pastor Pete should have been a surgeon and now I am sure of it. Whenever it was time to change the PICC line, I could see a gleam in his eyes. First, he would take my “vitals,” note the results on a clipboard, and comment as to what I should do to make them more stable. Next, he would put on the surgical gloves with flare complete with the “snapping of the gloves” as he was about to proceed with the flushing of the PICC line and attaching a new supply of antibiotics. This would all be followed with a “steady sermon” of all the latest jokes that he had heard. I really think he has to work on his “bedside manner.”

Year ago, Pastor Pete did learn that he shouldn’t try to determine proper medication dosage for himself. While we were living in Illinois, Pastor Pete contacted a horrible cold and his doctor prescribed “cough medicine with codeine” which he was supposed to start taking on Saturday, one teaspoon every four hours, not to exceed six teaspoons within 24 hours. This was to enable him to preach the next morning, without coughing. It was a good plan. The only problem was the actual “administration of the medication.” You see, Pastor Pete and his entire family are from the school of thought that when it says “take one teaspoon” there is no need to measure “one teaspoon.” You just have to drink it straight out of the bottle. One glug equals one teaspoon. And if one teaspoon (glug) is good, two teaspoons (glugs) are better. And if taking it every four hours is good, taking it every two hours is better. Unknown to me during the night, he had taken 12 teaspoons (glugs) within eight hours.

The next morning, as I sat in church and the organist, who was known for her ability to “open up the pipes,” hit her first three notes on the huge pipe organ, I saw him rise about six inches off the chair, grab his ears and make a painful expression on his face. Somethings he really wants me to forget, but this one will stay embedded in by brain forever!

Physical therapy has been a huge issue in our house. I still need help with many of the physical things in my life. I have mastered the shower chair, but not until Pastor Pete found himself soaked to the skin when he opened the shower door and found the handheld showerhead pointing directly at him. Payback is sweet!

Our cul-de-sac in Canyon Lake has proved to be the best physical therapy available. Every evening, Pastor Pete and I walk around the island in the middle. I walk with my cane while he pushes my walker so that it’s available if I need to sit down. I love it when people pass by us because I know they are thinking, “Just look at that old couple! She needs a cane, but he needs more help.” If they only knew that Pastor Pete runs five miles on the elliptical every morning, and if only Pastor Pete knew that I really don’t need the walker when I have my cane! Again, payback is sweet!

I do regret that I have a very limited memory of the two weeks in the hospital. I had tests that I don’t remember, went on wheelchair rides that I can’t recall and have surgical incisions for which I have no explanation. However, I have a very clear memory of the physical therapist attempting to walk me down the hall with the back of my hospital gown widely open. That caused a quick response from a nurse and peals of laughter from Pastor Pete and me!

My biggest blessing was the joy of seeing friends that visited me during that time and the many cards that were sent. The care, concern and prayers lifted up by the community of Canyon Lake was and still is a blessing! Thank you all for your expressions of love. I love my Friday Flyer fans!