I have to confess that I have been discouraged lately. We traveled to Maryland for a memorial service, and the service was beautiful and a gracious reminder of all that Patty had done to serve others and God during her lifetime. Then, we stayed a few extra days to celebrate Thanksgiving with our son and his family. Unfortunately, I came home sick. I knew that Friday night when we got home that I had contracted pink eye, something Steven and two of his children had while we were there. They were using antibiotic eye drops and according to Steven, the doctor said that they were past the contagious phase. Well, as I told my husband, the only thing that I have ever been able to run after and catch well is germs…so, yes, I have pink eye.

I waited all weekend to go to the doctor, using my regular eye drops to keep my eyes moist and applying cold compresses for the burning and itching. On Monday, I called my regular doctor and was told that I would have a “drive up appointment.” I had never heard of such a thing but apparently, it keeps the doctor from actually doing a real examination. The nurse came out to our car, checked my temperature and did an uncomfortable swab of my nostrils to check for Covid and flu. When my regular caregiver came out, she told me that I have Influenza B along with viral pink eye and there is no real treatment for either. She did prescribe Tamiflu to help me with the symptoms, but to say that I was not impressed with the level of care provided is an understatement. I have a history of respiratory illnesses, including chronic bronchitis and pneumonia and she did not even get close enough to put a stethoscope near my lungs. I reminded her of my history and she just repeated, “Flu. Rest and drink plenty of liquids. Call us if it gets worse.” Hmm. So, since Monday, I have continued to use cold compresses and eye drops as well as all of my breathing treatments since coughing seems to be what this flu does. I am hopeful that I won’t get bronchitis or pneumonia but I am a little irritated and very disappointed in the doctor’s lack of compassionate care. Anyway, as i did my devotional this morning, which is no small task with watery eyes and blurred vision, God gave me this verse.

So, hope and encouragement from my Heavenly Father! He assured me that he is not afraid to get close to me, even with all of my germs. In fact, He has reached out and touched me in a way that I could feel His comforting presence all around me even as I cough and struggle to breathe. I am blessed by the Lord and that is enough encouragement to get me through this illness and onto the next challenge, whatever it may be. I am thankful for His loving kindness, grace and mercy, and for His assurance of love and closeness to me. Doctors may fail to meet my expectations, but God never will.

Update

I had to return to the doctor yesterday because I was getting worse instead of better and I was struggling to breathe. I went to the same practice but saw a different physician (my choice) and he actually checked me. Amazing! He listened to my lungs and told me I have that my influenza has morphed into bronchitis (bordering on pneumonia). So he gave me an injection of prednisone to help stop the constant wheezing, a prescription for more prednisone and an antibiotic. My breathing is better this morning and as soon as I get over the headache that happens from my first dose of medral, I will hopefully be on the mend. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes!