Medical Personal and Gratitude

7 November 2022 I am celebrating the good news that since my most recent lab work results were so good that I can bypass the annual MRI until a year from now. That reprieve means a lot to me. Having several medical conditions and quite a group of doctors is a huge challenge. This year I received another new General Practitioner (6 in 6 years), a new Dermatologist and a new OBGYN. I still have the same ENT who is wonderful, the same Podiatrist and the same Endocrinologist. I worked with hearing aid specialists, had my vision reviewed and got reinstated with my dentist after getting bumped to someone else during Covid. My foot care home nurse who is moving and I will surely miss her. Gained a new house cleaner who is fantastic. Had my blood pressure monitored for 24 hours. The greatest blessings are that many of my doctor visits are by phone or sending messages with pictures as needed. I am very grateful for every one of these medical personal. I am thankful for having survived having Covid. Learning how to work within the medical systems is amazing. Mostly I learned how wonderful it is to have so many people to assist me with living.

Two Brain Surgeries

As I got caught up in my reading of the Ensign Magazine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (available to read online for free at lds.org) I enjoyed each and every one of them. Then on Saturday I was reading the one for June 2018 when I looked in the back at the last article. There was, "The Lord's Help Through Two Brain Surgeries" by Bryn Booker. It has been almost ten years since my two brain surgeries and this article means so much to me. While the reasons for our surgeries varied a little, there was so much more we could share with each other. After my surgeries I longed for someone or group where I could get understanding and support. I contacted Bryn and we spent time yesterday making that connection. I am so grateful that she wrote her article. While I have written about my experience of this very unique type of surgery, I have not felt ready to share it publicly. Even though Bryn and I are separated by thirty years in age, we now know someone who will truly understand what we are talking about. I have had many surgeries and I agree with Bryn that these were very painful and emotionally challenging surgeries. My husband, six children and six grandchildren are my motivation in moving forward. I know my life is in God's hands and he will lead me along.  I know Bryn will have the same support both from her family and from God. Our blessings surely outweigh the challenges that we face. Facebook.com/ensign.magazine

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2018/06/latter-day-saint-voices/the-lords-help-through-two-brain-surgeries?lang=eng

Medical Family Histories

Today, I am finally going in to have an x-ray taken of my knee that has been extremely painful for a month. After trying the basic pain reducing or eliminating options, it seems to not be changing much.
In reflection of this I thought we should discuss medical family histories. How much do we know about the medical conditions of our immediate family or those who have passed on before us? Do we have a way of maintaining such information?