Allow Me to Introduce You

To the sojourners abroad,

Allow me to introduce you to something that has been building up in my body since Junior High. Apparently I am allergic to all over the counter pain medications. It is not a fun aspect nor do I look forward the many researching and testing ahead. I should start from the beginning. When I was in Junior High I took some Ibuprofen and spots appeared on my back and arm. My parents took me to the doctors and I was diagnosed with eczema. To us this made sense because eczema runs on my dads side of the family.

I don't really remember having any more reactions to pain medication until I went to the hospital my senior year of high school for a cyst. My mom gave me Tylenol to go with the lovely heavy drug I was given at the doctors. A pretty decent reaction came forth and we ceased the drug taking process. I've had the spots come back but I did not really put two and two together until I caught a cold over Spring Break.

My Spring breaks are not spent in Cancun partying it up with friends nor taking lovely adventures to see my boyfriend. They are quite the opposite. I usually spend them in bed because I am sick. This spring break has not differed. I took an Excedrin to help my headache while I went bridesmaid dress shopping for my friends wedding. I took another when I got home because we were having company and was experiencing that same headache. In the evening I was in my parents room and could not figure out why it was so hot. The itchiness and lovely pain of hit all hit soon after. Looking in the mirror I could not believe what I saw. It was not just bumps but they were all over my back and neck.

The next day I woke up and it was ten times worse. It hit my face and arms. I was swollen and totally out of it. My mom being the brilliant woman that she is made a connection to the medicine being the cause. So basically I am allergic to ALL over the counter pain killers. I took benadryl for two weeks and whenever I stopped they would come back.

I finally after spring break and went to see a doctor. I dont think I have ever seen so many mouths drop or tell me how rare it is. I have always been one to say that I like being unique and classic. Well this is definitely unique and so Classic Corrine. I went to see an allergist and said hes only seen one other person with this case ever. So while uniquely and classic Corrine is going to a lab on Friday to start a lengthy process of testing to find some kind of pain medication she is sitting over here praying that there is no need to ever take pain medication until this is resolved.

I will tell you that its been a good reminder. My Pastor has been going through the Attributes of God in church and I remember during one of the sermons he told us that to question why God has placed certain things in our lives is not fully trusting in His Character of who He is. Especially since we know that scripture tells us that He does not give us anything we cannot handle. So in all actuality I am laughing at the circumstances, because not only do I know that my God is control and knows all things that are happening and going to happen in my life, but I know He has a sense of humor. And to me this is quite humorous. Maybe its just me. :]

With love,
Corrine