Sunday, March 8, 2009

52 Blessings—Medicine


You probably saw this one coming before I did, but today I am very grateful for modern medicine for myself and others.

Advil has been my friend and calmed my fiery joints for years, but as a kid and teenager I saw cases of severe prescription drug abuse, so vowed to fight disease the best I could without drugs—a stupid fear I should have outgrown considering the good that can come from a bottle, but a fear none the less.

Yesterday I went to the doctor. First time in eleven years. First time ever for “I don’t feel good.” He sent me home with a prescription that made me feel human again. How grateful I am for the relief. I have two friends fighting cancer. It’s too early to know the final prognosis, but nonetheless modern medicine is buying them time—time to see a wedding and a graduation and a son leave on a mission and the sun rise and set.

I’m grateful for the comfort given and the lives and memories that are saved through medicine.

Is there anything that has made you grateful for medicine recently?

15 comments:

Darla said...

Jane,
Glad you are feeling better...
Hang in there...

Monkeys ARDently In Sinc said...

I am greatful for my Avonex, that seems to keep a handle on my MS. I also love Tylenol Allergy pills, so I can almost function in the summer!

Leslie said...

I'm so glad you are feeling better, too. I'm similar to you and usually just try and fight through whatever without doctor time. But when I have been sick, I sure feel thankful for the blessing of modern medicine. And when my kids are sick, I feel twice as grateful for modern medicine.

Becka said...

:) I'm so happy to hear that you are feeling better. Don't you just love that!!? to answer your question.. yes, I have anxiety. It is a real comfort knowing that doctors can help me with that. I have a prescription that I take. It keeps me sane. ... but no worries... no addictions. :D

Cassidy said...

There would probably be no Meg if it weren't for my Levothyroxin to balance out my whacky thyroid levels. I am sometimes like how you used to be. I really started to hate meds and insist on "toughing" it out. ha. I'm glad you're feeling better.

tina said...

Many things in the realm of modern medicine for which I can be grateful. Thinking of the upcoming birth of our third son, I am grateful for "modern medicine" in general. Thinking back to the early 1800's when Emma and Joseph Smith gave birth to 9 children and only a couple of the survived. It's quite amazing what we have today to keep life on earth going. I absolutely LOVE your "52 Blessings" series! Thank you for sharing and getting my mind to think on the thankful side of things!

I am glad to hear you are feeling better. That gunk this winter has surely gotten a lot of people down!

Kathy’s Korner said...

Not recently, but when I was in the third grade, I fell and scraped my knee. By the end of the day I had a severe case of blood poisoning. I was out of school for two weeks. I had double penecillin shots twice a day for two days and then every day for the rest of the week. We were all grateful for medicine and the Priesthood. I am like you, I would much rather try to fix it at home, but when meds are called for they are wonderful.

Miller Family said...

The bug is definitely going around. I hope you feel much better soon.
That's a long time to not see a doctor. You are one healthy lady!!! Take care.

MaryRC said...

funny we were sitting around the table with friends last night having this discussion. my friend is a nurse and my husband is VERY anti meds. she said blood pressure medicine is something to be thankful for. it made so much sense. hope your friends enjoy all the time that they have, thanks to modern medicine.

Lucy said...

I really hope you're feeling better soon. I loved your little word trivia post. I remember doing those in the newspaper years ago.

Get some rest.

melanie said...

I feel so bad this 'bug' warranted a visit to the doctor's office. A place I don't like to frequent either. I'm glad you are feeling better. What a relief! I agree with Lucy, get some rest and don't wake up at 4:30am!! :)

Jill said...

I took a Relpax for a migraine today, and YES I was very grateful! I am always grateful for pain relievers, antibiotics, antidepressants, Pepto, vitamins and so much more, and wonder how chronic sufferers ever made it through life when they didn't have the option of medication to help.

Julie said...

So THAT'S where Ty got it! I am always glad for my migraine meds. Also glad to see fevers in little ones go away thanks to motrin.

Rebecca said...

Fevers of 105 and ear infections :( Poor babies.

Cali said...

Mom,

I just think you are the funniest writer. I loved reading the comments too. Last night I was grateful for Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Vasopressin, Adenosine, and Amiodarone. Oh, and cardiac defibrillators. Not a good night.