Monday, May 05, 2008

the chronic pain side of life


we had an unexpected - but most welcome - visitor last week ...

the visitor? a pharmacy student, in her third year of study ... our local pharmacist called us to see if leo wanted to chat about his meds with her ... and in return, she would see if she could help us with some of the problems that meds can create ...

leo said "sure!" ...

our local pharmacist (she's had that job for the last 16 years) came over as well and we had a most productive time ...

then a few days later ... the ladies came back with helpful hints ...

we were so grateful for this blessing that came out of the blue! we have already started implementing some of her suggestions ... then in july (Lord willing!) we can talk to leo's doc about some possible med changes ...

you know those mystery fevers that leo gets? well one of the side affects of some of his meds - is a fever!!!

also, leo gets these varying temperature changes ... an example: in the shower the water might feel cold on his chest, burning on his back and lukewarm on his head?????!!!!! ... the student did some research on arachnoiditus (since it was a new term for her) and discovered that those are common issues of the disease - extreme temperature changes over parts of the body ... we just thought it was leo's "faulty wiring" !

our saying has always been - "you never know what a day holds" ... lately we've added "and remember to look for the hidden blessing within" ...

"... despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." Romans 8:37

19 comments:

Cathy said...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. That is just wonderful, Saija. I hope Leo will begin to feel much better.

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

This makes me think just like cathy before me commented..that God is working something out in your lives. You have always known that any way but when it just POPS up out of the clear blue sky then you know that God has a hand in it. Wonderful!!

Great news!!
Sandy

Mimi said...

isn't it amazing how God sends people to us at the most unexpected times, for the most unexpected reasons...who would have ever thought that out of the blue...someone would want to study Leo's Meds and see if they could figure out the effect they were having on his comfort level...
God is just an awesome and amazing God!!!
Blessings and love to you both..
Mimi

Mari said...

That's wonderful! I hope some of her suggestions help Leo. I know that meeting you both will help her put a picture to that diagnosis and those meds. It's easy to think of these things in textbook form, until you meet someone and it personalizes it.

Fred said...

Angels come in all forms. How special for you and Leo.

Jammie J. said...

The varying temp on the body in the shower thing ... that would seriously be annoying. I mean, really, a nice shower? That's one luxury all people should be able to enjoy. Poor thing.

It's nice to be able to put the pieces of a puzzle together. Our bodies are truly miraculous, aren't they? I had an ultrasound last week to check on my disease and I told my close friend before I went. She said she was sorry, she hated those things. I pointed out that while the "invasion" is a nuisance, the fact that we have technology to see how God made us inside, the miracle of how we're made is a fascinating thing to me. I think I might have changed her thinking a little bit.

I'm glad you had an informative time. Hugs to you and Leo. I'm always glad when you share about your life in this way.

Deborah said...

I'm glad you are getting some answers. I'm amazed at how helpful pharmacists can be...but it makes sense that they actually know more about meds than doctors!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what an unexpected source of help...how wonderful that they offered. A pharmacist once told my friend who was taking care of her mom, that if taking more than 3 drugs, there is just no way to know what was influencing what symptom, etc. I hope you are on the path to some better days soon for Leo...and you! Blessings!!
Elizabeth

Amrita said...

Pray Leo is feeling better

Anonymous said...

Thank God for some answers to Leo's problems!!!
Oh yes dear sister, it's your friend from Montreal, I'm back!!!
I haven't had time to read your blog in AGES! :( Now I'm catching up.
I need more Finnish lesons!:) But that's not why I stopped in today. I was wondering how you and Leo are doing...what things are like on the praries...I miss stopping by and getting blessed by your posts. I may never meet you until we reach heaven, but you have blessed me more than you can imagine! Kittos!

Lots of love and prayers,
Little Montreal Girl

Vicki said...

Praying for you and Leo. Nice to hear you've found some answers....take good care and God bless you.

Unknown said...

sometimes pharmacists have a better insight then Doctors on the meds that are prescribed so this is great for the both of you to be able to learn more and share how Leo is feeling.. Great information source. A God send for sure

eija said...

Wonderful news, Saija :)

Gavin said...

Hi Saija and Leo,

I've got funny temperature sensations too! My right side is normal, but my left, arachnoiditis side has opposite and even delayed sensation. Hot feels cold and cold feels hot, if I have any temperature sensation at all. I burnt my hand on the hot plate a few weeks ago and the first I knew about it was when I saw my hand on the hot element. No feeling whatsoever.

I asked my doc a couple of weeks ago and this is definitely a symptom of arachnoiditis. My left side is always cold to touch.

Take care

Mrs. Mac said...

I'm glad you seem to be optimistic and that you were blessed with the visiting pharmacist and student ... how wonderful is that! From your previous post ...

Saija said...

i love to connect with you guys ... thanx for commenting!

:o)

and as of yesterday, leo has cut one of his night time pills out completely ... so far so good ...

blessings on your weekend!

~~Deby said...

oh how wonderful to get this kind of help....what a blessing...and who knows how far this will go..this could be just the beginning.
Deby

Maggie Ann said...

I'm so glad to hear your good news. Professionals that have gone out of their way to use thier knowledge to help Leo! Wow! Praise the Lord indeed. I've never heard of anyone coming to the house before or even caring what your meds are doing to help or hurt you. I think thats just fabulous. *hugs*

daisymarie said...

What a God-send!!!