Sunday, August 20, 2006

An age of miracles

It's easy to complain about what's wrong, when you get to be as old as I am.  But lately I've been pondering how blessed we really are, in this day and age.

For instance:  When I was younger, I used to get bladder infections and yeast infections fairly often.  Both of those were only a minor irritant, because cystitis was easily conquered with antibiotics; and yeast infections submitted to any of several anti-fungal meds... which you can now get over the counter.  I've often wondered what people did in the 1800's, before antibiotics.

And then there's aspirin, which has turned out to be somewhat of a miracle drug.  Not only will it cure your headache, but it's a safe blood-thinner that helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.  Unlike Tylenol, it won't hurt your liver.  Not only that, but scientists keep finding more things that aspirin is good for.

There are simple procedures that we now take for granted.  D & C's, for instance.  I wonder what the pioneer ladies did when they started spotting, out there on the prairie.  I guess they just kept on bleeding, because I know there weren't any D & C's.  When I had mine five years ago, I was back at work the next day. 

Knee and hip replacement?  I call that a miracle!  And every day hundreds of people are granted their mobility as a result of these operations. 

Got toenail fungus?  There are several options.  I chose to have my toenails removed, but there are other things you can do.  Fifty years ago, you'd have had to learn to live with it.

How about a heart bypass, like Cliff had recently:  Another miracle.  I'm sure his operation bought him at least another fifteen years of life (although I realize the future is never guaranteed, and he could die in a motorcycle wreck tomorrow).

My daddy lost his  mother AND his first wife because they died having babies.  How often does that happen these days?  Do you know of anyone who died in childbirth?

Lord, forgive me for taking things like this for granted. 

I am SO thankful to be living at this time, in an age of miracles.

 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, these are certainly things to be thankful for.   And I would like to add that I was happy to have my epidural instead of having to have the baby natural.  I almost did though b/c the anesthesiologist was eating Christmas Dinner with his family.   But that was a miracle to me, to stop the pain.
Have a good week.
Sonya

Anonymous said...

Good entry!  I often tell people how thankful I am that I have a/c, a car, insurance to cover medical stuff, and stores so available.  Way back when, I would have been stronger, but I don't want to gain strength through THAT kind of harship!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to remind us all of that, Donna.  It is a miracle to live in this day and age, and every year they find more cures for different things.  

It's good to stop and be thankful to God for all his many miracles and blessings that we are witness to everyday.

Hugs,
Jackie

Anonymous said...

We are blessed and live much longer than our ancestors that's for sure.  We have more than most other people in the world, but often fail to appreciate it. I'll join you in saying THANK YOU !  Miracles do happen -- everyday !  'On Ya'- ma
http://journals.aol.com/marainey1/GoodMorningSunshine/

Anonymous said...

Amen!!!
Becky

Anonymous said...

Yes Mosie we live in the best of times I think. We have lived through enough to appreciate what we have now. Paula

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, heavy use of aspirin may cause pancreatic cancer down the road.

Mrs. L

Anonymous said...

The finding about aspirin and pancreatic cancer was in 2003.  In 2004, after further studies, they found there was no link between the twol