Patience

Image by Hans from Pixabay

This last May, I had an allergic reaction to an unknown allergen. A bright red rash covered my back and part of my torso. My doctor prescribed Benadryl and a cortisone cream to stem the itching and the burning. The symptoms eased, and the rash faded, but never went away.

Last week, I had another flair up. This one sent me to the ER with a rash covering my entire body, from my face to my toes. The ER physician prescribed Prednisone and antihistamines and referred me to an allergist. That appointment is several weeks away. In the meantime, I'm dealing with the reaction to both the allergen and the medications. 

The rash and discomfort have eased, but not the side effects of the Prednisone. My vision is blurred. I have occasional headaches, and worse is the fatigue. The pharmacist cautioned me these can last several days to a week or more after I’ve completed my prescribed doses. Sometimes I wonder which is worse, the cure or the disease. Well, that’s not entirely true. Without treatment, an allergic reaction can be fatal, whereas the side effects of the drugs are temporary.

Still, I’ve had to scale back on chores as well as painting and writing, which is frustrating. I want to be doing things, not dealing with health issues. 

God, of course, has his opinion on the matter.

This morning, I opened my Bible and noticed this note: “With God, a patient wait often leads to a happy ending.”

Below that, “The hardest part of waiting for a miracle is hanging on for the last half hour.”

I’ve come a long way in the trust department, but patience is a bit more of a struggle.

Dear Lord, I trust you to either heal me or give me strength to endure. I ask for patience and grace, two things I too often lack. Amen.