After 8 rounds of chemo I had gotten used to the conversations with a “chairside check”, making sure that the medicine in the IV bag was consistent with the orders of what I should be receiving. I listened to the two nurses exchange that information and was confident when they both signed off that I would be receiving the right medicine, the right dose and at the right drip speed. I came to expect, count on and gain confidence in this exchange.
When I started a new round of another medicine administered by IV, I fully expected the same chairside check. Indeed, on my first infusion day I had two nurses confirming my medicine, dose and drip speed. But then I hear a phrase I had not heard before, “with filter”. Sure enough when I looked at the IV tubing there was a 2-inch barrel shaped filter. I asked what it was for, and I was told this. “Sometimes it is to keep air bubbles from reaching you if they shook the medicine in preparation, or sometimes certain medicines can crystallize in the process of coming from the bag through the IV tube, or in general any impurities that may be in the liquid from various reasons. Basically, it is filtering out anything that could possibly cause harm as it moves from the IV bag to your veins through the IV tubing.”
As I took that information in for the first time and looked at that filter I sat there very thankful for those who put that in place for my safety and wellbeing. And for the process of the two person chairside check to make sure it was carried out and for the two nurses who did carry it out. Now 14 infusions later, I still anticipate and hear that phrase “with filter” and sit back confident that measures have been taken to keep anything getting to my veins that would cause me harm.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 gives us instructions to “with filter” anything that our ears or thoughts might take in that would be a harm to us. Not with worldly weapons but with the thoughts and mind that comes through the Holy Spirit and the knowledge of the Word.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
I like how the Message translates verse 5 “fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ”
Recently I had a friend ask me if I was okay upon hearing of the passing of someone who had been battling cancer. At the time she asked I was sitting in the chair receiving my treatment for ongoing cancer risk. I assured her that I was keeping my mind fixed on the right things and not allowing the fear of another’s condition to cause me discouraging thoughts. I thanked her for being sensitive and checking on me. She ended our conversation with sharing the very verse I shared above “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”.
How important it is we live “with filter” concerning our thoughts and the things our ears take in. I love that we can live with so many practical and often times tangible explanations of the truths we see in the Bible.
Consider starting your days “with filter” and allowing God to protect your ears and your thoughts from harm by taking captive the things that don’t belong.
Blessings,
Patti Johnson
