am just now recovering from strep-like symptoms and finishing off a cold. As I was sitting at home the other day, (enjoying my day off from work) Erwin said to me: “My poor Sarah. Easily sick more often than not.” I sat there and felt confused by his comment. He explained to me that I do often get sick and that my body goes through a lot. He wasn’t sure if it was a poor immune system, or if I am always a subject of bad luck when it comes to colds and flu.
His comment triggered a memory of when I was at home getting ready in the bathroom with my mom. We were talking about blessings and I said to her: “I am so grateful I have been blessed with almost perfect health.” My mom laughed and said “Sarah, you have not been blessed with perfect health. But you have been blessed to endure through lots of health issues.” I paused for a moment and realized she was right! Compared to other people and basic health, my body has been a victim of poor health and at times, scary moments since I was young.
To start off with, I had bar ear problems as a child. I had ear surgery more than a few times, (basic tubes and such) that the scar tissue inside my ear always merits a comment from a Doctor. I then broke my arm when I was 8. Some years after that, I fell from a tree more than 10 feet high and hurt my tail bone badly.
I also had nose surgery for my deviated septum in college, and my wisdom teeth out. I am no stranger to surgery.
But the bigger and scarier problems came when I was in college. I started to have my left arm go numb and tingly and often at times, I was unable to move it. It was soon accompanied by sharp pains that would shoot through my arms, down my leg and into my head. My dad came up to be with me in Logan every other weekend, as I visited many Doctors and Specialists and had lots of work done to figure out what was wrong.
I was told many, many things. I was always tested for a stroke, and always tested for MS. Most Doctors thought I had MS and told me that it was probably what I would be diagnosed with either sooner or later and that all symptoms pointed to that. And it was true. I researched myself and was almost convinced that they were right.
I will never forget when the doctor at the hospital sat me down with my parents and told us that another possibility was a brain tumor. I remember feeling my heart sink, as I was frustrated with up to that point, not knowing what was wrong. And now maybe a brain tumor? Not exactly what I wanted to hear. We made an appointment to get MRI’s and CAT scans for me right away. I actually went feeling calm and collected and was sure that I was not going to hear bad news. And I was right. The Lord blessed me and my family.
As time went on, Doctor’s were still perplexed at my obvious symptoms of MS, but seeing that I still missed some of the key signs of having it actually be that. I decided to go on a mission and thought for sure with my unknown symptoms, that they would keep me state side. But they did not, and most of the pain and numbness went away my entire time in Ecuador. Since I have been home, I have had a lot of the pain and pulsating and numbness come back. Triggered by stress? The cold? People have had a lot of suggestions. But all I know is that it comes and goes. Since being back from the mission, I had one month where it was bad and I was very weak. Even the sharp shooting pains came back and I couldn’t even lift a jug of milk. My mom and dad are so supportive and want to be better safe than sorry. So mom whisked me in to get another MRI, and once again nothing was found.
My left side still goes numb once in a while and I will have the pulsating pain be very uncomfortable. I pray always that it will never turn into something more than just a bother. I feel blessed thus far with nothing more serious.
But I have had some serious scares that were actually known and diagnosable. My grandpa died of melanoma. My dad and aunt were diagnosed in the 1st and 2nd stages of it and I myself, in my early 20’s had a mole found on my back that was forming into the late 1st stage of melanoma. I was told to get it taken care of right away, but I was just about to enter the MTC! And having skin cancer? No thank you. So my poor, sweet companion, accompanied me for my outpatient surgery and watched as the plastic surgeon dug out a huge chunk of skin on my back. I had 32 stitches! I had to go back periodically throughout my stay in the MTC and had kind sisters that helped me with my bandages and medicine applying. I now have a nice sized and thick scar on my upper back.
I have to go to the Dermatologist every 6 months, without a doubt. I have moles or freckles that always need to be checked up on, and because of genetics, I have to be even more careful. I have had other moles/freckles removed since the first big scare, and know that I want to try to live long and stay as healthy as possible for my whole life. So I take precautions and extra time to take care of my body.
Yeah…I’ve been through some things. But I feel blessed. Other people really have had brain tumors and MS. Other’s have died of Melanoma. So do I feel healthy and well taken care of? Compared to those people, yes. The Lord gives us different trials, and being sick or needing surgery or doing what it takes to endure pain, I will take on this burden and know that He is beside me always. J
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