Help!

As I wrote in yesterday's Life with Lynnie (LwL) entry, I have been experiencing much pain.

One of my American online friends, with a medical background, suggested that even if my surgeon is away, there should be another doctor taking over for him.  I agree. 

The thought about trying to arrange another prescription for pain medication, did occur to me, previously.  The reason I hadn't made a call, is because things are done a little differently, here in Canada.

I must admit that this is the first time I've had surgery of a more serious nature, as an outpatient.  Still, pain is pain.

Since I have allergies to several medications, including Codeine, there truly is very little available to help me with the pain.  That's why whenever I've been in hospital after having surgery, I was given Morphine.

Without even recalling what happened to me while in hospital, my surgeon just wrote the prescription for Percocet; the drug store didn't have it on my list of allergies, because the truth is no one knows for sure if I am allergic to it, or just sensitive to it.

So, that's what I received.  Well, the generic brand, Oxycodone.

After having surgery early in the morning last Thursday, and after having nothing for pain throughout the day and evening, I was in agony when my prescriptions arrived, about 9 p.m.  Antibiotics and that pain medication.

And was heartbroken when I saw what was sent.

I can only say that when I tell medical people that Percocet makes me vomit, they usually laugh.  Well, it was no laughing matter when I was in the hospital in September. 

After being taken off Morphine on the day I was leaving the hospital, the nurse gave me a Percocet pill.  I told her I didn't want it, that I would prefer something else. 

She insisted I needed to take it, so I did.  And, I sat waiting for the discharge papers to arrive.  It was actually good that the papers hadn't arrived yet, because after I had gotten dressed, I sat feeling nauseous.

Thinking I should empty my bladder, I went into the washroom.  Just after becoming seated, and without warning, I vomited... everywhere.

The hospital ended up not discharging me; I stayed another two (2) days, until the substitute doctor felt I was well enough to go home.

Some people may have laughed when I said we do not have the same range of medications in Canada, as they do in USA, but I believe it is true.

A few years ago, when my husband Gordon was still alive, and just before we found the vitamin supplement I still take, because it has literally improved my health and changed my life, we took a trip with some friends to Florida.  I won't go into detail, except to say that because my immune system was compromised due to having Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), I knew in my heart I was going to become ill, because someone in our group was sick as we travelled.

Sure enough, within a few days, I got sick.  So sick that I couldn't even leave our hotel rooms, and had to lie down as we moved from city to city.

Shortly before we were due to leave to come home, Gordon took me to an emergency room near Daytona, because my ill health had reached the point where I couldn't breathe. 

Phew!  Were we ever thankful for his good medical coverage from work!

US$1286.00 later, and after having ventolin treatment and many tests done, Gordon was given prescriptions for me.  The doctor told me that I would have no trouble travelling home.  He let me know that even I, myself, would feel like I wasn't sick.

And, he was right!  Please don't ask me what it was he prescribed, because I cannot recall.  What I can say, is that he gave me only enough to get home and see my family doctor. 

Well, upon arriving home, I did see my family doctor.  He told me he wished he could write me a prescription for the same drugs.  But, he couldn't.  Our Canadian laws didn't allow for it.  Those drugs weren't available in Canada.

With what my family doctor prescribed back then, I suffered greatly as it took several weeks before I was healed.  No relief, like the American drugs were!

Oh well... here I go, again.  Needing medication that will help and not harm me. 

Of course, I know that my help is from God.  Not man, always.  Although, God does provide help for us, through people, at times. 

Still, I was reminded of Psalm 121:2, "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Yes, my Lord provided for me, in my time of need way back when Gordon and I were in Florida.  And, He will provide for me, again.  Of this, I am sure.

Meanwhile, I thank you for praying for me.  May God bless you.


Until next time...

If you would like to comment, please e-mail:  lifewithlynnie@gmail.com