We hope you are feeling better

[asakiyume]

Yesterday the healing angel got a card-shaped envelope from the emergency room where I'd taken him at the beginning of his medical adventure. Since I'd already paid the sizable deductible for taking him there, and since, anyway, it wasn't bill-shaped, I was curious.

"What's that, a thank-you-for-visiting-us card?" I asked, sarcastically.

The healing angel opened it. Inside was this message:

We hope you are feeling better after your recent visit and we truly appreciate you entrusting us with your health care

It was signed by (well, printed with the signature of) the ER doctor who had taken care of him.

"Um, yeah, seems to be!" the healing angel replied.

I felt surprisingly moved by the gesture. It wasn't personal, but as a protocol--a thing to do automatically--it was kind and touching.

... Or so I felt, unalloyed by cynicism, for about a minute. Then I wondered about the dad who'd come because he'd been turned away from urgent care--who had no choice but to visit the emergency room. I thought about people who are going to be hurt way more in the pocket than I was by this visit, and I thought, for them the card will be pretty cold comfort. And what if you're not better? What if your condition is chronic and getting worse? Or what if you were treated poorly? Though I have to say: all the interactions I overheard were respectful and kindly.

Still, even with those thoughts, I get a lump in my throat. That message is reaching for the personal relations that people crave, and the reaching is worth something, even if the signatures are printed on.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

Even if they do it automatically, someone had to be kind enough originally to think of putting such a gesture into place. So, someone has some heart. :)

Is healing angel feeling better now?

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my thought as well.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I do still think it's good and kind thing. I like that hospital.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I thought so too--it's still a kind and thoughtful thing to do.

He's feeling a lot better, thanks. He's back to school--making up an exam today.

[greylistening.livejournal.com]

Even one step in the right direction...

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yeah, definitely.

[egg-shell.livejournal.com]

What I have found very touching is when I have had a pet die the vet's office sends us a card, signed by all the staff. Too bad doctors' offices don't do that.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yes, they did that for us too, and it was lovely!

[w. lotus (from livejournal.com)]

That's an interesting thought. Sometimes our best simply is not enough in certain circumstances.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I don't mean to sound dissatisfied! I thought it was a very kind gesture.

[w. lotus (from livejournal.com)]

I didn't read your comment as dissatisfied at all. You acknowledged that it was enough for you, but you also pointed out how for people with other challenges it wouldn't change anything for the better. That's an important distinction, and that is where our best sometimes just isn't enough.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sometimes something not being enough isn't a reflection on one's effort, but rather on the great need of the other person.

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

My hospital does that also. (We've gotten several such cards from them.) They also include 'if you need anything else, please call us' on it, too.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Interesting! It's a nice touch.

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Well, it's better than no gesture at all. :)

Hope he's feeling better.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Oh absolutely! I think I didn't express myself very well--I had those negative thoughts in the middle, but I ended up thinking it was a good and worthwhile thing.

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

It would still matter to me. Surveys also matter.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it mattered to me too. And surveys too--I fill them out, especially if I'm happy or pleased, because I figure people need/want/can benefit from knowing they've made a positive difference.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I think that's one of those times when cynicism only hurts the cynic. And even if they were doing it entirely out of self-interest, at least it shows a commendable attention to detail, and a realisation that they're dealing with people with feelings.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I think *often* cynicism hurts only, or mainly, the cynic. It's a way of cutting yourself off from simple happiness.

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

*nod* I agree. And I'm glad healing angel is feeling better.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Thank you Alana ♥--he's doing much better.