One of the Smallest Muscles
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Have you ever said something without thinking and ended up offending someone? Or completely embarrassed yourself by saying something tactless? Looking back at a particular incident, I still cringe with embarrassment.
Part of my role as a specialty nurse is to care for patients with stomas such as colostomy, ileostomy, and urinary diversion—usually as a result of cancer or another underlying disease. Before surgery I review the patient records, undertake an assessment, provide education to prepare the patient for the possibility of a stoma, and explain what life will be like afterward. Because of the sensitive nature of these conversations, it is important to establish a rapport with patients within the first five minutes.
On this particular day I received a call to work with a gentleman in his mid-fifties who had recently been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
There was a strong possibility he would need a stoma formed during his surgical procedure. In the Outpatient department, I called him into a consultation room, and a slightly older lady followed. I closed the door and introduced myself, informing him of my role. As I sat down, I glanced at the lady and, without thinking, asked, “Is this your mother?” “No. I’m the ex-wife,” she responded with a laugh. Oh! I felt so embarrassed, I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole! Thankfully they both laughed, and I managed to scramble through an apology and collect whatever shred of professionalism remained. As I reflected on my day, a verse from James flashed through my mind and reminded me it is important to be “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19, 20, NIV). The tongue is one of the smallest muscles in the body but can cause the most damage. The wisest man wrote, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21, NIV) and “Kind words are like honey. They are sweet to the spirit” (Proverbs 16:24, NIRV). Let us quit gossiping, criticizing, or sharing hurtful opinions and choose to keep our words kind and sweet. God wants us to “be kind and compassionate to one another” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV) and build up one another for His glory!
Jenny Rivera
