May 4, 2015 (Monday)
Today I will go to my doctor and get annual lab work done. A small amount of my blood will be taken from me, sealed and sent to a pathology laboratory for testing. The results will be compared to standards considered “normal.” No doubt such testing has provided information that has saved lives.
The medical establishment has known for a long time that the blood is important, but did not always know how to use this knowledge. George Washington, for example, died from a throat infection at age 67, but in the process of trying to save him, his doctors removed 35% of his blood in a common practice of the day known as “bleeding.”
In time it was discovered that giving transfusions of blood was much more helpful than removing the blood. A Bible verse, Leviticus 17:14, says, “the life of every creature is in its blood,” offering a hint of its importance.
Compared to the “bleeding” process of the past, today’s “transfusion” is a much better procedure, but not without risk. Wanda had many problems associated with several transfusions that were done when she had surgeries performed through the years. One of those blood-related problems probably contributed to her death. Hopefully, the procedures today have improved so that the dangers have been reduced. We are still learning more about our blood.
Today much more is known about how to get the blood to reveal its secrets. In a few days I will receive a report of the lab tests and my doctor will sit down with me and discuss the results. Based on last year’s tests, I have been taking a medication for my thyroid and I’m sure I feel much better because of it. The doctor will take a look at fresh results of the latest tests and will discuss them with me at the next appointment.
The more we learn about the human body, the more we are in awe of its intricacies. No wonder the psalmist of old enthusiastically declared, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14 NIV).