Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

Surprising lessons you will learn waiting at an emergency room

This post explores the universal experience of waiting for health care, highlighting both patient and physician perspectives on delays for appointments, lab results, and approvals. It emphasizes that waiting can be difficult but may lead to valuable lessons. A biblical perspective encourages trust and hope during these times of waiting.

How much time do you spend waiting for health care?

You call your doctor’s office and get put on hold, waiting to talk to someone.
You schedule an appointment that you wait days or weeks for.
You go to the office and wait minutes or hours to be called back to the exam room.
You may decide to leave rather than wait hours for care in an emergency room.

Vietnamese people with bicycles, standing outside a clinic — People waiting to enter a medical clinic in vietnam.

I have waited for medical care too, from both sides, as a patient and as a doctor. Physicians wait-

for lab results
for xray and scan reports
for consultants to call or send evaluation findings
for insurance companies to pay claims
for prior authorizations for surgery and medications to be approved

We all have to wait and it usually isn’t by choice. Or pleasant.

clinicsign — People waiting at a medical clinic in Panama.

The Bible talks about waiting –

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31, NKJV

Learn More

Other Bible versions translate the word “wait” as

“trust”- NLT and HCSB
“hope”-NIV
“expect, look for, hope” -AMPL

I think it’s easier to wait when you expect, hope for, and trust that waiting will lead to a good outcome, that your problem will be solved, your illness will be successfully treated, your pain eased, and your sorrow resolved.

Sometimes waiting teaches us valuable lessons that we might otherwise not know.

those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar like eagles Isaiah 40:31 — Isaiah 40:31 graphic from the Lightstock.com collection

Martin Wiles wrote a poignant piece on how a visit to a hospital emergency room changed his perspective on waiting.

“Waiting rooms have taught me life is unfair.

When I see people who don’t have and can’t afford insurance.

When I see people who’ve been abused by others or who’ve had crimes committed against them.

And when I see people addicted to drugs who are making a visit to get a pain fix.

Or when I see bodies mangled by wrecks.”

Continue reading at this link

Lessons from a Waiting Room by Martin Wiles

group of people sitting under a tree — People waiting at a clinic in Zanzibar.

I took the photos in this post on medical volunteer trips to several countries. On these trips, people sometimes waited hours to see a healthcare professional, something they often have little or no access to.

No one ever complained about the wait, and they always thanked me. I felt both honored and humble.

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Dr. Aletha

Forever Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans Day on November 11 honors all who served in the U.S. armed forces. The Veterans Administration provides crucial health care and education through the VHA system. Personal stories highlight the deep bonds between veterans and their families. Meets a wounded veteran’s therapy dog serving as his best man at his wedding.

updated November 4, 2024

In the United States, we reserve Veterans Day, November 11, the Armistice of World War I, to remember and honor all who do or have served in our armed forces. Other countries have similar observances.

The Veterans Administration provides benefits to veterans including health care. The VA Health Care System, or VHA, one of the largest in the world, cares for veterans’ health and provides medical education and research.

If you have ever received care from a physician trained in the United States, that doctor likely learned from a veteran in a VHA facility. So our veterans continue to serve even after they leave military service.

The *Vietnam Women’s Memorial* was established to honor the 265,000 military and civilian *women* who served around the world during the *Vietnam* War. photo by Dr. Aletha

Wounded Veteran’s Therapy Dog Serves as Best Man at Wedding

I believe your heart will be touched by this story about the special relationship between a wounded veteran and his therapy dog. Mine certainly was.

“It’s been quite a journey for U.S. Army veteran Justin Lansford and his canine companion, Gabe.

In 2012, Lansford lost his left leg in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.

This past weekend, Gabe had his paws full with an entirely new slew of responsibilities, serving as the best man in Lansford’s wedding to longtime girlfriend, Carol Balmes.”

My husband served in the Army and was deployed to Vietnam in the 1970s. Here is his story.

From bullets to blessings-one man’s journey to recovery from war

“I didn’t want to ever go to Vietnam again when I came home in 1972 after a one-year tour of duty with the United States Army. I was stationed with the Americal Division, 3/18 Field Artillery Battalion near Tra Bong, a major village located about 25 miles west of Chu Lai, the headquarters of the Americal Division, on “China Beach” at the South China Sea.”

Raymond and I at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Washington, DC

Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Angel Fire, New Mexico–

a special Memorial Day observance at a unique veterans’ memorial

statue of a soldier in a small flower bed — Doug Scott Sculpture at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Angel Fire New Mexico; I am kneeling in the background, viewing the veterans’ memorial walkway; Photo by Raymond Oglesby

A veteran dishes out love–

personal reflections from a Vietnam veteran

“The people around us are starving for love and we need to unlock our pantry and see to it that everybody gets a belly full.”

clowns entertain Vietnamese people — Billy and Jingles, a veteran and his wife, entertain at a medical clinic in Vietnam
(photo by Dr. Aletha)

sharing the HEART of respect and gratitude for those who served

Please share this post and leave a comment as a tribute to a veteran you love and admire. This post was featured on

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.