Spirituality

Healing Wounds with Proper Care

By Beth Trouy

I work in a hospital. As a clinical wound specialist, I see wounds every day. I’ve had my hands inside the deepest of wounds and I’ve been amazed at how the body can heal itself over time. I consider myself a gardener of sorts, of skin and tissue. Like soil, a wound needs a moist, fertile environment, free of weedy contaminants. If you can figure out what the wound lacks, you can usually nurture it back to health. One of my most satisfying rewards is seeing a patient for the last time with newly restored skin and a closed wound. We’ve often been seeing each other for months, 2-3 days a week and to finally reach that final goal together, is gratifying. I sometimes hum the graduation song and give them a hug as they leave. Sometimes there are tears too. When they try to give me the credit, I remind them there were many involved in the process and I was just one team member. It takes collaboration of the patient, family, caregivers and certainly some prayer too. Mostly though, it takes compliance on the part of the patient. They need to believe they can heal.

Jesus asked, “Do you wish to be healed?” I’ve seen many wounds fail to heal because of the non-compliance of the patient. When trying to help someone who is wounded (physically, mentally or spiritually), this should always be our first question too. You see, we can’t help those who do not wish to be helped. It may seem strange that a person would choose to stay wounded but we all know people who have wounds, visible and invisible ones, they choose to keep. I don’t ask why anymore. It’s too complicated of an answer and I respect their wishes, however baffling to me. I pray they have a change of heart and then I move on to someone who desires my help.

In my 31 years as a wound therapist, I remember most of the wounds that did not heal. It’s a with the potential to be made well but lacking the desire. It’s even more frustrating to be unable to help those who do follow every recommendation and still do not get well. Sometimes, regardless of our efforts, some wounds will never heal. I’m speaking also of the unseen ones: the psychological, spiritual and emotional wounds that, in spite of our efforts, remain raw and painful. I used to think the whole investment of time, resources and labor was a waste but now I feel very differently. You see, the journey together, the walking with someone in their suffering is healing in itself even if the outcome we seek is not achieved. There is value in acknowledging another’s suffering. The soul receives healing when we invest in one another – all the time.

It’s a 100% guarantee that when love for another is freely given, healing will be achieved. We just may never “see” the healing, but it’s there. We sometimes need to let go of our agenda and just be present. Jesus said, “Go and do as I have done.” We are all commanded to go out and be healers for one another. We don’t have to be experts; we just have to be willing. We also don’t need to be well or even whole ourselves. In fact, sometimes it’s more effective when we allow others to see our own wounds we carry. This communion of shared suffering can provide a space for shared healing. What one cannot do for oneself, together, the power to be made well is multiplied. What I have not expected in my years of caring for others is the healing I have received in return. Some of the most afflicted patients have humbled me with their serenity and acceptance of their circumstances. Their positivity was palpable and contagious.

The unexpected gift of helping others is that we too are helped. The ministry of healing can be as rewarding for the minister as it is for the ministered. The hands of healing belong to all of us. Healing Wounds with Proper Care