Medication; help, hindrance, or both? 3 of 3

When I was a nursing student, we were discussing medication administration in general, a type of introduction to the idea of giving drugs.  During her instruction, our teacher told us a story I never forgot.  She told us, "When I was just out of school, I was on the pediatric unit.  We had a child in with an infection, and the doctor has prescribed penicillin.  The child had been getting it before, so I knew I could give the drug as there was no worry of allergy.  I administered the dose as directed, and a few of us went to lunch.  While we were sitting at lunch, the call came over the PA system for a child in a code.  We rushed back to find the child I had just medicated, was dead.  There was no medical error, no improper dose, it just happened that that one dose, just having it one more time, was the one his body could no longer take.  Let this stand as a reminder, we are putting chemical compounds in our patients everyday, never take it for granted, and never leave them be after you've delivered it.  It's hard enough making sure the doctor has prescribed the right med and dose, that the pharmacy sent the right drug, and that we have the right patient and the right order.  But with every drug, can come the possibility of a patients death."  Naturally, we all asked if this was a good scare story or true, we were assured it was true, and you could see it in her eyes, and how she taught the remainder of that part of the course. 

This final installment in this series should brig out two important issues you should never forget.  The first is the easiest; no matter how you feel about doctors, drugs and pharmaceutical companies, they have saved millions of lives.  That's hands down truth.  My own aunt was stricken with polio, how many people do you know today that get that awful disease?  There are more of us living longer and even healthier than ever before.  It will never be perfect, those of us who are believers know this for fact.  Along with these life saving compounds come adverse effects that must be looked at.  To me, some drugs are not worth taking.  I may be old fashioned, but even "the pill" has enough side effects to give a woman enough to pause, at least according to the commercials on TV.  Not that I am one to talk, like I have told you before, I'm on narcotics which aren't exactly on the "over the counter" level.  My point is, that anyone who needs to take a medication really needs to read all about the medicine.  Be careful when it comes to the internet, every medicine listed can cause everything else.  However, read the insert carefully.  Have lengthy discussions with your doctor, don't take the little red pill just because he or she said so.  Knowledge is half the battle.

The other point is don't so this alone.  The Lord has made us to be communal.  I've often heard the argument that, "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian" and I'm not going to into what saves us or not.  But, here's a question, why did Jesus meet the people in crowds, and why did He tell us to get together and break bread in His Name?  Did the Creator say, "It is not good for man to be alone"?  In the Psalms, we read that, "For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help."  Yes, the Lord helps, but is it always with angels?  I'm sure you know the joke: "A flood is coming and a 4x4 sheriff's truck comes to an older man's house and calls to the man, 'Quickly, get in.  The flood is coming.' 'No, no.  The Lord will provide' says the man.  Now the water is up the the second floor, and a row boat rescue crew comes to his window, 'Get in our boat, the water is rising fast'.  'No, no.  The Lord will provide', he says again.  Finally, the man is on the roof of his home and a helicopter comes.  'Get in the basket, you must come with us' the rescue team calls.  'No, no.  The Lord will provide.'  Soon after, the man is standing in front of the Lord Himself.  'My Lord, why did you not provide for me?'  'Provide?' says the Almighty, 'I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter, what exactly did you expect?'"  So allow those around you who come to help.  How often are we extolled to be a help to one another, even to pray for or enemy?  Then each church community, each Christian is called upon to help those who are unable.  This is why it is so important to have a good church family before you get sick or injured, if this is possible. 

If you will allow, I will attempt to give you a basic three by three that any one in pain or suufering can follow:

Individually:
1.  Read Scripture daily, carefully and prayfully.  If not, see if you can listen to it.
2.  Remember your prayer; confession, praise, and thanksgiving.  After this, pray for others, and then add what you want for yourself.  If you are not sure how to ask, the Holy Spirit does this for you.
3.  Make sure you listen to sermons and discussions as you can.  Beware the false prophet that says your pain is based on "giving" or your sin.  Try www. sermonaudio.com.

With Healthcare Personnel:
1.  Be truthful.  (My wife still thinks I need to work on this one.  I always try to "man up".
2.  Don't be alone, see above.
3.  Ask questions about every test, procedure, and drug.  Keep it all in a notebook and keep it with you at every visit, phone call, pharmacy, and test.

Officially:
1.  You must have a Healthcare Proxy,a document that allows someone who can say what your desires are in different situations.  This is not a will or a Power of Attorney.  These are different and can be found at the hospital, attorney's office, or even some websites.  Again, make sure it is done right and will be accepted in the state you are in.
2.  Remember the notebook from #3 above?  Make sure that someone you trust knows where it is and can add to it if you can't. 
3.  This is the time when your bills: mortgage, car, insurance, regular home bills, credit cards, and of course--medical bills, can all come after you for non-payment, if you don't stay on top of these things.  I have seen too many people fight against an insurance company for non-payment, and the doctor or hospital puts the person into collections.  Those papers you sign, they say you are responsible for payment in the end, nit the insurance company.  Stay on top of this.  At the same time, it is unfortunate, but I have seen family members steal from other sick family members.  To combat this, in different times of my life, jobs have taught me to have redundancies.  This means, you may need more than one person who can help you in this.  Have someone who can check up on the person taking care of you.  It's a shame, but the Evil One roams about like a hungry lion, seeking out those whom he may devour.  Many crimes are crimes of opportunity.

This has become more than about just medicine.  I know, this is a time when you feel like the most personal, intimate details of your life are out there like they were on display in Macy's window.  It's hard to be the one who needs help.  Sometimes, it's the first time since your mom changed your last diaper that you need help.  Remember this, in the Eyes of God you are His child.  No matter how old, no matter how much you've done in the past, you are a child of the King of the Universe.  It may be hard now, but this will be nothing compared to what you will experience in His Kingdom.  Yes, this is tough, and that's probably not even a good enough word.  Now is the time to lean on Him, and those who He puts in your way.  And finally, get in the truck, don't wait for the helicopter!