Petra Part II – Rushed to the Hospital.

(read Part I first)

The ambulance came and they basically had to lift me up into the ambulance as I was just doubled over in pain. They laid me in the bed and closed the doors. As they pulled away I opened my eyes and saw Chrissy sitting on the other side. What happened with the tour guide?!!!!!! I looked around the ambulance. The Muslim crescent moon decorated the windows and two young military paramedics were looking down at me saying “you good?” oh no. no English! I was feeling too horrible to worry. Chrissy gave my name and age. They asked for my husband. None. They asked for Chrissy’s husband. None. (I guess this is normal? Maybe. Hopefully). They asked, “Why no husband? You both beautiful.” uh oh. Chrissy replied “Students.” And they nodded… I guess that was good enough… a thought passed through my mind: wait, they could just turn off any corner and no one would ever find us again.. hmm. Jesus keep us safe…

It took a good 30 mins to get to the hospital. The whole time Chrissy is explaining or trying to explain to them what was wrong. The pain would come back more intense from time to time and as I laid there, tears just inevitably fell down my cheek. One of the paramedics, who was sitting on my bed from keeping it from wheeling all over the ambulance through the crazy bumps and turns, would wipe my tears. Awwww. I felt something on my face but it didn’t feel like tissue. I looked and it was a gauze pad!!! I was struck with the hilarity of it that I just couldn’t help but giggle. Lol. Gauze pads to wipe my tears!!! And as I laughed, everyone in the ambulance laughed, and the young guy would then looked with a smile and asked “Good now?” with a thumb up to which I replied, “No. still pain.” With my thumb down.. Through much laughter. Lol

We arrived at the hospital. As they wheeled me in, one of the other paramedics stooped down and said “You are beautiful.” If it wasn’t for the overwhelming pain I was in, I would have busted out in laughter. Seriously. First, I am not feeling well and definitely not looking great. Second, this is not the time or place to try to pick me up. Hahahahaha!

I get my lil’ section of the emergency room. Even though the curtains were draw close, there would be ppl who would peak in, curious to see the sick American girl. Lol. The hospital was not the cleanest. The hospital bed did not even have bed sheets ☹ As I laid there a doctor, 2 nurses, and a medical assistant showed up. The nurses were women completely covered other than their faces. They were the best. They knew more English than the doctor. Yes! They were so compassionate and understanding. They hooked me up to an IV immediately and drew blood. After several mins of explanation the nurse told me “It’s going to be ok.. just relax. You are very pretty.. don’t worry” and pinched my cheek as she smiled and squinted her eyes Ha! So motherly. They came back 10 mins later and the pain was still there.

They finally decided to give me a shot of a very strong med. Somehow one of the nurses concluded that I needed a husband! Hahahahaha! And the other nurse who was in the same room looked at my bracelet and said “I have a nephew and he makes pretty bracelets just like this one…” and smiled. hahaha! I laughed so hard.. everyone burst out in laughter.. even the doctor came in through the curtain and smiled and laughed. So funny! Thank you Lord for joy in the midst of pain and weakness…

I did arrive to a point of pain where even Chrissy said she was about to start crying with me. I must say, I would not have been able to make it without her. She was there holding my hands, giving me soothing looks and caressing my arm as tears flowed down and I was trying to hold the pain, she was my guardian and protected me as she would ask “hey, what’s that you are giving her?”, she chased down the doctor when we needed to contact our tour guide to come pick us up even though they wanted to keep us overnight (!!), and she just never left my side. Thanks, Chrissy. You have a wonderful heart and you provided the love and support I needed to just get through.. for that I thank you.

We shared many laughs too. Even when the doctor came in, he looked at my blood. Turned over the tube and said “You have beautiful blood” and then looks at me! Hahaha! We couldn’t help but bust out in laughter as he left the room! He even signed a rock that Chrissy collected from Petra. So funny.

I got back to the bus and everyone cheered. I was cheering too (inside).. thank you Lord! Phew! So relieved. So glad I made it alive! I was still very weak though, so the group let me and Chrissy have the back of the bus to lay down and rest. God’s love was just so evident everywhere.. in everything and in everyone.. and I was just so moved. Even the bus driver bought me a mango and peach juice.. aaaaw! God was showing his tender love for me again.. and again.. and again..

As I laid there in the bus (it would be 4 hours til Amman) I put my iPod in and tears flowed down again as I listened to Kari Jobe singing:
“So faithful
So constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
…….

I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are

Jesus, thank for your love, support, and that you never leave me.. even in my weakest moments you write upon my heart and remind me of who you are.