Peak Experiences are often One by One

In a world where we experience "pocket calls" and "photo bombs," terms which just refuse to be translatable, I am struck by the similarities in what constitutes a peak experience, the exhilarating moments when one feels an emotional high from what has been done. Ask just about any pathologist what those moments are and they will not say anything about finally getting the standard deviations into line on a new immunoassay, of working out the cut-off limits for normal on a new methodology for measuring the cis- form of isoporcelyn, and probably not finally getting the night shift to hand-off the problem box cases to the morning shift completely. Rather they will probably think back to a single patient, someone whose diagnostic biopsy was intensely challenging for some reason, but that they were able to figure out using their skills in morphology, sleuthing, and data gathering (i.e. getting more stains!) Solving the problem is the thrill for me (and I think many others) as a pathologist, and that is most especially so when it is for the good of that one patient, here today, under duress and stress wondering what their course will be ahead.

What is remarkable to me is that the same principle applies in the work we are doing now as well. The moments when one sees progress in a single individual are most meaningful. Those are the peak moments that fuel and abundantly reward our journey through endless hours of preparation, language study and mental rehearsals of what we can say, not to mention much prayer, and even fasting. We are only at the beginning of this trek, and trust that there are many strenuous peaks ahead, but the experiences with individuals thus far have provided sweet tastes of that exhilaration of which I speak. 

Here are a few individual moments from the recent past that stand out:

Sitting and counseling with a young man who had just resigned his job for both good reasons and not so good, and listening, occasionally commenting, and suggesting ways that he could repair the rift with the employer so that he could still work honorably with them in other capacities if required, and potentially receive a recommendation if needed;

Pouring over a case report prepared by one of our K Hospital colleagues, her first attempt to do such a thing in English, and an effort that clearly represented both the encouragement we had given her as well as a strong sense of faith and trust that this effort would be compassionately received and edited;

      

         English learners in white at Hospital 108

Standing in the waters of baptism with a young man who lives far from the organized branch, but which he dearly wanted to join and support, in preparation for ultimately serving his own mission, and making his own life a blessing to others;

Participating in offering a laying on of hands blessing to a young woman who had not participated in the church for quite some while, and who has been nursing the wounds suffered from the actions of a poorly behaving father, and feeling the love of God for her, while at the same time seeing open up before her the great promises of a better life, a healed soul, and indeed, all the blessings that the gospel isdesigned to bring to mankind;

Watching a young leader's eyes light up as we explain the strength and revelation that come as they unite with their counselors in a council to solve a challenge;

And seeing the faithfulness and hope in the eyes of a young, soon-to-be-father, recently a member of the church, as he talked about his hopes for being able to be joined by his wife and unborn child in the circle of gospel covenants.

     

      MB with new members of the Thao Dien Branch

None of these are headline news, any more than would be the report of a studious pathologist returned on the biopsy of a nasal or bone tumor in a young child, or a breast lesion in a care-giving grandmother. But these are the fabric of human interactions of love and concern, of the faith and contract that we share with one another as covenanting saints, or even just fellow sojourners on earth. We're happy to have front line views of the interactions that bring these peak moments, yet also grateful for the chances from time to time to step aside and nurture others in those roles as well.