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I have gambled and won! Read on.
My husband was only bedridden for five days before he passed away on February 21, 2006. He was at home with Hospice attending and on a hospital bed. As with all patients in similar situations, he had a tendency to slide toward the foot of the bed. Quite
frequently he needed to be lifted back up toward the head.
Friends, neighbors and relatives (including our sons) as well as Hospice workers were regularly on hand to help me with this procedure. Somehow I was always on his left side. In my young days, as a cardiac nurse, this lifting didn’t seem to bother me. However as a 75 year old woman with osteo arthritis, this put great stress on my right knee.
Long ago, I made a self diagnosis of osteo arthritis which has recently been confirmed by three doctors. For years I had kept the pain under control but now I needed help. (Some of you will remember that I also have osteoporosis which I keep under control by taking Bone-up and horsetail.)
One day, a visiting friend told me she had seen a rheumatologist. This doctor had injected her knees with a medication which is derived from the rooster comb. Yes, you read this right. This medication is derived from the comb of a male chicken.
I debated about consulting this doctor. While doing so, I mentioned my thoughts to several people who all said, “It won’t do you any good.” Yet my family doctor and chiropractor both encouraged me to try this treatment. What did I have to lose? I just did not feel that I could go through knee surgery. Finally I made my appointment.
On my first visit to this doctor he injected my right knee. I believe my relief from pain was immediate. I do know that I worked at the polls the following day. This being a small town, I knew most of the voters. As each of them appeared, I stood up and said, “See this! I can stand without pushing up with my hands—and totally free of pain!” This was one happy old lady!
The next week, I returned for my second injection. On the way, the urge to write again hit me full force. The world needs to know about this treatment. I presented the doctor with a questionnaire. I also asked and received permission to write this tale.
The name of the medication is Sodium Hyaluronate. My doctor only injects it into knees for treatment of osteo arthritis. He does not inject it into other joints. He also treats patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but not with this medication.
This serves as a lubricant. It only affects the joints into which it is injected. In other words, it doesn’t spread allover the body as an antibiotic as many other medications would.
I still have cartilage in my knees. For maintenance, I have been taking a mixture of glucosamine
chondroitin, MSM and devil’s claw. My doctor advised me to continue taking these supplements.
I received a total of three injections, each of them one week apart. In six months, I will return to repeat the procedure.
I have no idea how this medication is created from the rooster comb. I only know that it is derived from a natural source–animal–not herbal. However I feel that this is definitely a story worth telling.
A bit more about my husband. I have no regrets with my care for him. I took care of many patients in my life. He was the best. I miss him. However, instead of mourning for him, I am celebrating his life.
Nadine Johnson is a resident of Goshen, a member of the Goshen Farmers Co-op, and a long time user and promoter of wise herb use. Her telephone number is 334-484-3580. Her email is
herbal@troycable.net. |
