A Christmas story from Dr. Scarborough.

Christmas reminds me that this tangible world is about more than the tangible. It reminds me there is more than just a physical body. It reminds me that the God of heaven and earth – that is not tangible – put on a shell of a physical body to rescue me and you and remind us the greatest thing on earth is not physical, but spiritual. This is humbling as a doctor. I treat the physical body pretty well with medicines, but how do I handle an eternal soul? Recently I saw MercyMed and Highland Community Church come together and handle a soul well. I pray for many more stories like these. Christmas reminds me that this tangible world is about more than the tangible. It reminds me there is more than just a physical body. It reminds me that the God of heaven and earth – that is not tangible – put on a shell of a physical body to rescue me and you and remind us the greatest thing on earth is not physical, but spiritual. This is humbling as a doctor. I treat the physical body pretty well with medicines, but how do I handle an eternal soul? Recently I saw MercyMed and Highland Community Church come together and handle a soul well. I pray for many more stories like these.

I was asked a couple of times by staff to do a house visit on a patient that lives in our neighborhood. I knew the patient already – I had walked through the house before, but it was not to see him. I knew also he lived less than a three minute walk from the clinic, but he could never make the appointments because he could not walk three minutes – or three yards without getting short of breath. So after many requests for a house visit, Anita, my 12 year old, myself and a few staff went down to check on him.

We met the family on the porch and talked for a few minutes. Really, I did not want to walk inside. I knew a little what I was walking into and I was not sure if bringing Anita was the best idea. Finally we stepped on the plywood floor in a dimly lit room. It took my eyes a second to adjust to realize he was naked on the bed, with sheets barely covering the important parts. I tried to shield Anita as I walked in, greeted him, and pulled the sheet up a little more all at the same time. As I was doing this, I noticed an oxygen tank, cigarettes, a lighter, and 3-4 live roaches on the bedside table. To be honest that sounded like a bad combination for the roaches.

He was a shell of a man. Bones pushed through his skin. He had no fat. He had used all his energy just to breath and he now had no reserve left. He had oxygen in his nose and after every 3-4 sentences he was so short of breath, he turned on a nebulizing machine – which delivered medicine to help him breathe easier so he can say a few more words. He never left his bed. If he tried, I think he would have died. It took all he had to breathe just lying there.

Finally I walked out. As the doctor, I had to make sure the family knew he would not be here long. It was met with mixed response and then Anita and I went to get ice cream. Job done.

Well, not really. The next week I heard some of the staff went down to his house with guitar in hand and sang hymns and a few Elvis songs. While I was watching his breathing, I really did not hear what he was saying. They reminded me – he loved music. His son, he told us, could sing just like Elvis. And they decided music would be good medicine for the soul. As music filled the air, I do believe the aroma of Christ filled the air as well. I am grateful for staff that listens to the soul while I am listening through a stethoscope.

A few days later, his shortness of breath was more than he could handle so the ambulance was called again and he was brought to the hospital. I was actually working that night in the hospital so I knew when he came into the ER. Shortly after his arrival, I saw Rob, pastor of Highland Community Church, walk into his room. Highland is a church behind our clinic that lives out the gospel in this poor neighborhood. MercyMed is so grateful to have them ministering right behind us.

I was not sure what they talked about, but Rob texted me afterwards and wanted to know if I needed a cup of coffee. I sure like that guy.

I finally went in to admit my friend for shortness of breath. I again saw some real physical problems, he needed immediate medicines. I almost had to admit him to the ICU, but after a few more treatments, I thought he was a little better. I again reminded the family that he would not be here long. And then he was transferred to his room. Later I heard what happened. The patient’s wife called the guitar playing Elvis impersonator to see if he knew someone the patient could talk to about spiritual things. Rob showed up. They talked about Jesus, the best medicine ever. While lying in the ER bed, waiting for medicine, trying to catch one breath after another, he accepted Jesus as His Savior. His life expectancy on earth is very short, but with Christ as his Lord, he will now live forever. He has been snatched from the hands of hell and now bound for heaven where he will be able to walk more than a few steps – he will be able to run with ease.

What is the meaning of Christmas? It is the fact that Jesus came into this world to rescue people – sinners. And then He tells guitar playing Elvis impersonating sinners to go out and rescue others. The best medicine this Christmas is not a pill, it is the sweet presence of Christ bringing you from life to death. The greatest miracle is making dead things come to life and this is what the Great Physician specializes in. Do you know him? The intangible became tangible – He was born as a baby. His name was Jesus. He makes dead things come to life.

Anita created the artwork above. The wall they adorn is seen daily by staff and volunteers MercyMed.

Anita went to work with me one weekend. Mom said she needed a little “daddy time”. Anita was having a hard time finding her space in the family being a six-year-old girl, second born of four girls. So off we went to the hospital to see my patients. Our first patient was Mr. Carl, a 51-year-old who was diagnosed with a bad liver because of hepatitis C and would probably die within the next few months. He had been in prison up until 8 months before. At that time, he had moved in with his old girlfriend who had kicked him out when she realized they could not both live off her social security. He then moved in with his brother. And now he was spending all day in the hospital, alone, dying from his disease.

And in walks Anita. She was a little shy at first. Simple sentences, “I’m Anita.” “I am 6 years old” “I am in the first grade.” But soon it became much deeper. “Are you going trick or treating tonight?” He responded, “No, Anita, I have to stay in the hospital.” “Well, I’ll bring you some candy tomorrow.” I prayed for Mr. Carl and when I said “Amen”, his eyes were watering and mine began too as I saw him realize everything he is missing out on dying alone at the age of 51.

The next morning Anita was up and ready. She had her 2 pieces of candy in her hand and then went to her room and took a dime out of her piggy bank. As we drove back to the hospital Anita asked me if Mr. Carl knew Jesus. After a long sad pause, I said, “I do not know Anita.” “Well I think you ought to ask him, Daddy.” I tried a quick move here I learned in father school, “Why don’t you ask him, Anita?” “Daddy, you know him best, you ask him.” We continued driving to the hospital and I became nervous thinking about my future conversation. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. I didn’t want to sound foolish. “Daddy, are you going to ask him?” “Yes, of course.” We came up to his door and washed our hands. I pulled up Anita’s sleeves and once again she said “Daddy, are you going to ask him?”

As we went in, Anita walked straight to him and presented him with her little treasure gifts, 2 pieces of candy – and then she almost cried as she realized she lost her dime. Mr. Carl told her that was okay and that he was very grateful for his candy. Anita turned to me, “Daddy, ask him.” – “I will, I will, shhh, just wait a minute.” I went on to explain to him what was going on with his liver, his prognosis, the treatment plan, and procedures being performed – all the while, Anita kept interrupting, “Daddy, ask him.” I felt the need to get through the important stuff – his liver – before talking about Jesus. But somehow Anita knew what was really important, “Daddy, ask him,” for about the sixth time.  “OK, Anita.” I turned to face Mr. Carl with butterflies in my stomach and the proudest 6 year old on my lap that you had ever seen. “Mr. Carl, Anita and I are Christians and she asked me today if I knew if you were a Christian and I did not know. Mr. Carl, do you know Jesus?” He turned to Anita, “Yes Anita, I know Jesus and thanks for asking.”

We stood to pray and this time Anita started first. As we were leaving, Anita turned around again and said, “Mr. Carl, I play the violin, can I play for you someday?” “Anita, that would be wonderful.” As we walked out, Anita was already thinking about when she could play for her new friend. We left the hospital and went directly to church. In church, she had been writing prayer requests on the prayer request cards. Normally it was something like “help me be good in school,” but today it was quite different. “There is somebody in hospital. He is very sick. His name is Mr. Carl. Please pray for him.”

After church, we went home and Anita and her older sister, Jane, picked up their violins and we headed for the hospital. It was the most beautiful music you have ever heard bouncing off the hospital walls. They played every song they knew. Mr. Carl clapped and thanked them for every song. They bowed at the conclusion of their concert and as we walked out, Mr. Carl whispered, “Thank you for bringing your daughters.”

Anita taught me a lot about medicine in just two days. Healing is so much more than just making the right diagnosis and giving a pill. It is worth my inconvenience, two trips to the hospital the same day, to bring joy to someone in need. It is really worth caring for the entire person. Being a doctor is a calling and means of giving away some of the good God has given you, even if it is 2 pieces of candy. And yes, Jesus is more important than the liver. Mommy thought Anita needed a little “Daddy time”, but I think God thought Daddy needed a little “Anita time.”

Thank you for choosing to read. We appreciate the opportunity to share this transparent insight into our ministry through this blog. This Thursday, Nov. 12th, is Georgia Gives Day. Please consider this opportunity to support MercyMed. Every dollar donated goes directly to caring for our patients. Click here to give.

 

By: Dr. Grant Scarborough

 

One day at the clinic, we had a VIP come to be seen. I didn’t know she was coming until I pulled my cursor over my list of appointments and her full name popped up. “Oh snap!” I hopped up, cleaned up my desk, and grabbed my nurse. “A VIP is here,” I told Kristy, “put on your white gloves.” A new volunteer was walking down the hall with the VIP’s paperwork to call her back and I said, “Whoa whoa whoa. Let me see that paperwork, you take the next one – KRISTY! Go get her, do not make her wait.”

 

I went in as soon as she was worked up. I spent a little extra time talking to her. I made a few jokes and talked about her interests some. I was engaged. I placed the computer aside for a second to show her she was more important than work.  I wanted her to think all patients were treated this good. I even got her referrals scheduled before she walked out the door.

 

Let’s face it, we could not afford to run the clinic, which serves people without insurance, without special people helping to make it happen. Medicine is expensive and, without generous friends giving money, we would have to close our doors and no one would be seen. I do not like showing special treatment to anyone, but, as much as she had been involved, I felt I had to give the VIP service. And she got it! She felt loved and cared for. She walked out proud of her investment in MercyMed. As the next patient walked in, she knew he would get that same type of care.

 

But, the next patient was not a VIP.  He was poor man who recently had a stroke. He could wait. I wanted to watch the VIP leave, see her reaction, talk to the staff, and get a quick survey of our medicine product.

 

Then, conviction came in. Well, kind of. Okay, a little conviction. As a ministry we run understaffed. We don’t have the manpower to do everything as quickly and timely as we did for the VIP. I wish we could. All I could think is that I am glad God does not treat me the way I treat people. I pay more attention to them more if they can benefit me.

 

So, I decided the next patient would be a VIP too. I hurried back in to see him and treated him the same way I treated her. I told a few jokes, laughed a little, put the computer to the side, spent too long in the room, and got farther behind. I needed a referral on him as well, so I handed it to my staff and said “VIP, need referral scheduled now.” She looked at the name on the paper and said “VIP?” “They are all VIP’s today,” I replied. She responded with a simple, “yeah, right.”

 

She knew what I knew – we do not have the personnel, manpower, or finances to run a VIP clinic for the poorest of the poor in Columbus. We really desire to and maybe we should change our model, but there are so many hurting in the city – how do you balance? The person I wanted to spend most of my time with today was an elderly black man that lost his job at the meat processing company and was struggling with depression. We have been friends for a long time, but he was really sad today. He needed the VIP treatment and I did spend more time with him. But, what he really needed was to be invited to dinner, a relationship, and an invitation to meet know the God that makes all people VIP’s.

 

I don’t have resolution for the problem, except to admire God who treats us all as VIP’s. We all get the special white glove treatment. We all get the care we need – He has endless resources, endless time, and endless love – He knows exactly what you need and is able to be present with you, deliver, and provide everystep of the way. You are God’s VIP. It does not matter your finances, your skills, your abilities. You are God’s VIP! You are God’s VIP! You are God’s VIP! And it is not because you hit a home run or threw a touchdown – it is simply because the God of Heaven and Earth has chosen you, given you a new heart, set his affection upon you and said, “you are mine!” “Beloved!” “Child” “VIP”

By Dr. Grant Scarborough

 

Faithful? I wasn’t too sure, at least, when he walked into the clinic.

I know him really well and like him a lot. He is tall, black, and muscular with a huge smile. He has long dreadlocks. He looks like a wide receiver or a basketball player or both. I am sure he use to dunk. Have I mention the huge smile? He is mid-thirties and a looker for all the ladies – from the chest up. But if you look further down, you will notice him pushing a rolling walker, shuffling his feet.

Keep looking and you will notice both his feet wrapped with a small tube coming out of the wrapping draining the infection. If you dare unwrap his feet, you will find half his left foot missing and 3-4 toes on right foot gone. Trust me, don’t unwrap the dressing. When odor meets your nose and ulcer meets your eyes, the med students pass out. He has bad diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. If it wasn’t for a wonderful vascular surgeon performing a procedure, he would have lost both feet already. Are you still smiling – because he is!

“God is faithful, doctor.” I wanted to stop him right there and say, “stop it, you cannot be serious,” but I let him proceed. “Yes doctor, I had no idea what I would do without this clinic here. Before I found you, I was getting sicker and sicker and then I found this clinic. Man, God is faithful! The vascular doctor told me if I was a month or two later I would have lost both my legs. You know, God doesn’t always answer my prayers on my time, but He always delivers. I think God brought me through this all so that I can have a testimony for others.”

I don’t want a testimony like that! God give me an easy testimony. I know that sounds bad – but man I love my feet. I love playing with my girls, throwing the Frisbee, swimming, water skiing, and jogging with my wife. I walk the halls of the clinic and the hospital. Imagine if I could no longer walk. Would I smile? Would I feel God was faithful? Would I become depressed and feel forgotten?

I want to follow Christ when it is easy and He does not ask much of me. I want him to deliver on my timetable not His. So often I want a Savior – but then I want to be my own lord so everything goes perfect. My friend found a faithful God in the midst of losing his health. He found a testimony. He found joy. He found his smile. I want what he has, but I desire for it to come easy. Lord give me the courage to say, “may your will be done in my life.”

He pushed out of the office on his rolling walker, feet still wrapped, and with pockets bulging. He stuffed many “Daily Bread”, a small devotional book, into his pockets to assist in his testimony to others. He was going out to tell of his faithful God. He was going out – smiling – knowing God has provided for him.

Lord I pray for my friend, but Lord may he pray for me. May he remind me that life is more than physical health. It is a God in heaven that has set his affection upon us here on earth, a God that is faithful!