Doctors get a bad rap. Some of them definately deserve it. Some of the things we blame on doctors aren't their fault at all - some of it is the insurance or legalities of their job. Some of it is probably beng tired of dealing with sick people all the time. But, in my years I have definately met some bad doctors for one reason or another. Doctors that just throw medications at symptoms, doctors who only think inside the little box they know - or doctors who don't want to deal with someone who is in chronic pain and illness. It's probably frustrating for them too.
But because of some of the bad doctors I have met - I'm even more grateful for doctors who really do try to take the best care of their patients that they can. Today I got some paperwork from my doctor who worked doing research for hours this week looking up some testing she is going to run for me. This took her a long time and a lot of waiting (not always patiently) on my part. Last week I showed up for the blood test and found out that they needed to do more looking into the test since it was very specific and she didn't want to do it wrong. She has been working with me for over years - and others in her office were working with me as a 7 year old kid with asthma and then again as a teenage when I started dealing with more complex health issues. It is good to have a relationship with a good doctor. I am very grateful to have this specilist as well as my pcp who I have been with for many many years as well. It is tempting when you are always dealing with pain and health issues to want to ditch any doctor who doesn't or can't offer real help right away - but I think if the doctor is at least trying to help and is willing to work with you sticking with it is the best option.
But back to my gratefulness: I am just SO thankful to Dr. M for helping me with this and taking time (which I wasn't paying her for!) to research the best tests possible for me. It is sadly rare for doctors to be able to take extra time or to have the patience to work with a person like me who may never get fully well on this earth. So, for all of you doctors out there: Be like Dr. M - be loving and caring and be willing to go the extra mile. It just might be the encouragment someone needs to keep going today. And for all your patients out there: stick with it! Be your own advocate and be willing to work with your doctor - open communication is always best with doctors.
Those are my thoughts for today!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
O Sacred Head Now Wounded - Fernando Ortega
This is a moving protrayal of the sacrifice Jesus paid for us and the hymn I wrote about a few moments ago ...
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Standing up for the Christain faith is NOT popular in our culture. Or, should I say that standing up for Christian faith that is exclusive is not popular. It is VERY culturally acceptable to talk about "god" or spirituality or each person's own individual way to peace etc. But when the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way (John 14:6 " Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' ") it becomes much less acceptable. We live in a culture where "All roads lead to Rome" and absulute truth is under constant attack. In fact I am sure that there are those of you reading this blog who are mad at me right now for taking this stand. I love people and care about what people think - but ultimately I stand before God on what I believe and what I stand for publically and privately.
Well, on this Good Friday I am here to say that I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who died for my sins (and the sins of the whole world) and raised from the dead 3 days later - to bridge the gap between the holiness of God and sinfulnes of man. My entire life is based on the redeeming work of Jesus Christ - the hope of heaven and the constant friendship I have with the Creator of the universe. The work Jesus did on the cross brings me to my knees. All day the words to this old hymn have been in my heart - and I want to challenge you to read them OUT LOUD :
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Text: Anonymous; trans. by Paul Gerhardt and James W. Alexander
---------------------------------
1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
2. What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.
3. What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for thee.
"What laungage shall I borrow to thank Thee Dearest Friend?" Words utterly fail me as I think of the agonizing death that Jesus died to save those who have turned their backs on Him (ME! and YOU!). The end of this hymn is beautiful - "should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, NEVER outlive my love for Thee." No matter what you are facing today that makes you want to faint - fear or pain or anything else - keep your love for Jesus alive. That is what matters more than anything. And this is my prayer as I go into this Easter weekend.
Well, on this Good Friday I am here to say that I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who died for my sins (and the sins of the whole world) and raised from the dead 3 days later - to bridge the gap between the holiness of God and sinfulnes of man. My entire life is based on the redeeming work of Jesus Christ - the hope of heaven and the constant friendship I have with the Creator of the universe. The work Jesus did on the cross brings me to my knees. All day the words to this old hymn have been in my heart - and I want to challenge you to read them OUT LOUD :
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Text: Anonymous; trans. by Paul Gerhardt and James W. Alexander
---------------------------------
1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
2. What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.
3. What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for thee.
"What laungage shall I borrow to thank Thee Dearest Friend?" Words utterly fail me as I think of the agonizing death that Jesus died to save those who have turned their backs on Him (ME! and YOU!). The end of this hymn is beautiful - "should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, NEVER outlive my love for Thee." No matter what you are facing today that makes you want to faint - fear or pain or anything else - keep your love for Jesus alive. That is what matters more than anything. And this is my prayer as I go into this Easter weekend.
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