Friday, February 24, 2012
Leg Warmers
About two years ago I got the most random Christmas present from my grandparents. They gave me leg warmers. I have been wondering when I would possibly wear leg warmers and I have now figured it out. After I started using a CPAP machine, I noticed there is always air coming out of the mask and it makes my arms very cold. When I try to wrap my arms up in my blankets the air just blows on them and it makes a very annoying sound. As I was laying there very annoyed, I remembered my leg warmers. They make great sleeves. I am glad I have found a use for an eighties classic!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tender Mercies
Tender mercies, Elder Bednar spoke on this subject many conferences ago and since then I have tried to look at my own life and find those instances where I have seen a tender mercy. For purposes of this post, I am going to define tender mercy as moment when I have seen the Lord's hand and recognized the love He has shown me. There are two moments that stand out to me from the recent past that I wanted to share.
Moment One: I think I have shared a part of this one, so if this is familiar, go a head and skip to moment two. About a year and a half ago I started getting a pain in my knuckle just below my middle finger. I didn't think too much of it even though it never really went away. In combination with this there would be days when my arm would hurt so badly I could barely move it. One day I noticed the knuckle was red and swollen, so I decided I should just go see the doctor. I got into the doctor and she did her exam and casually mentions, this could be rheumatoid arthritis. She said to just take some Motrin and I should be fine. I went on my merry way and then it seemed like all hell broke loose in my body. Everything started hurting and Motrin didn't work. I went back to the doctor, she didn't believe me and wouldn't help. (I know you are thinking, how could this be a tender mercy, I promise I am getting there.)
Probably two months later, I had given up finding any help. My doctor didn't believe me and was unwilling to help and the pain was getting worse. At this time, I got really sick and went to an instant care. I found out I had a double ear infection and a chest infection. I took my antibiotics but wasn't feeling completely better. I decided to do what I had vowed never to do again and make an appointment with my doctor. The day of the appointment came and my regular doctor ended up getting sick so I was sent to another doctor.
I saw Dr. Conner and he asked if I had any other concerns besides my ear infection. I mentioned the pain I was having and the things the previous doctor had said. He looked up my blood results and decided I really needed to see a rheumatologist. He got me on pain medicine and an anti-inflammatory plus he set me up with a referral for the rheumatologist. I will forever be grateful for Dr. Conner. Because of him, I am getting the help I need.
How does this relate to tender mercies? The Lord knew I had given up so He put a situation in my life which led me to people who could help me. I was also blessed to have a wonderful visiting teaching companion who is my age and also has RA. I knew I could talk to her and she would understand everything I was feeling physically and emotionally. This situation taught me that Lord is aware and will bless us in unexpected ways.
Moment Two: I started hearing this thumping sound in my ear a few months ago. Once again I brushed it off but then I got sick and went to the doctor. Since I was at the doctor, I thought I would mention it. I learned this could be a sign of a brain tumor or aneurysm. It wasn't cool to hear that and I was sent to an Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist for a second opinion. After a very scary MRI, I learned I don't have a brain tumor or aneurysm but the thumping may be caused due to a lack of oxygen. The ENT wanted me to do a sleep study and I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Now I get to wear a nifty mask when I sleep to help me breath. The point is, my body is now able to get the rest it actually needs and my quality of life is improving.
Maybe this is a silly example, but I would never have gotten a sleep study if it hadn't been for this darn ear thumping. I know the Lord is aware because He has put these things in my life and I have come out better in the end. I cannot and do not doubt the Lord loves me because I have seen His hand in my life. I know there are many more instances in my life but I need to look for them.
Moment One: I think I have shared a part of this one, so if this is familiar, go a head and skip to moment two. About a year and a half ago I started getting a pain in my knuckle just below my middle finger. I didn't think too much of it even though it never really went away. In combination with this there would be days when my arm would hurt so badly I could barely move it. One day I noticed the knuckle was red and swollen, so I decided I should just go see the doctor. I got into the doctor and she did her exam and casually mentions, this could be rheumatoid arthritis. She said to just take some Motrin and I should be fine. I went on my merry way and then it seemed like all hell broke loose in my body. Everything started hurting and Motrin didn't work. I went back to the doctor, she didn't believe me and wouldn't help. (I know you are thinking, how could this be a tender mercy, I promise I am getting there.)
Probably two months later, I had given up finding any help. My doctor didn't believe me and was unwilling to help and the pain was getting worse. At this time, I got really sick and went to an instant care. I found out I had a double ear infection and a chest infection. I took my antibiotics but wasn't feeling completely better. I decided to do what I had vowed never to do again and make an appointment with my doctor. The day of the appointment came and my regular doctor ended up getting sick so I was sent to another doctor.
I saw Dr. Conner and he asked if I had any other concerns besides my ear infection. I mentioned the pain I was having and the things the previous doctor had said. He looked up my blood results and decided I really needed to see a rheumatologist. He got me on pain medicine and an anti-inflammatory plus he set me up with a referral for the rheumatologist. I will forever be grateful for Dr. Conner. Because of him, I am getting the help I need.
How does this relate to tender mercies? The Lord knew I had given up so He put a situation in my life which led me to people who could help me. I was also blessed to have a wonderful visiting teaching companion who is my age and also has RA. I knew I could talk to her and she would understand everything I was feeling physically and emotionally. This situation taught me that Lord is aware and will bless us in unexpected ways.
Moment Two: I started hearing this thumping sound in my ear a few months ago. Once again I brushed it off but then I got sick and went to the doctor. Since I was at the doctor, I thought I would mention it. I learned this could be a sign of a brain tumor or aneurysm. It wasn't cool to hear that and I was sent to an Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist for a second opinion. After a very scary MRI, I learned I don't have a brain tumor or aneurysm but the thumping may be caused due to a lack of oxygen. The ENT wanted me to do a sleep study and I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Now I get to wear a nifty mask when I sleep to help me breath. The point is, my body is now able to get the rest it actually needs and my quality of life is improving.
Maybe this is a silly example, but I would never have gotten a sleep study if it hadn't been for this darn ear thumping. I know the Lord is aware because He has put these things in my life and I have come out better in the end. I cannot and do not doubt the Lord loves me because I have seen His hand in my life. I know there are many more instances in my life but I need to look for them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)