I couldn’t take it any more. I just HAD to make the phone call. You see, I had seen the commercial at least 100 times before. And this morning during the Early Show News, I heard it again.
So I dropped everything and pulled out my phone. I had the number in my contact list, and dialed away. I was a little bit nervous… as I wasn’t even sure what I was asking about. Does it help me to change? Or get smart? Or does it help me to grow? I wasn’t sure. But THIS question had be answered…. so I made that call.
I had dialed my doctor’s office. The receptionist on the other end of the line finally answered. “Can I help you?”
To which I responded… “Why. Yes. I’m calling to see if Latuda is right for me.” After getting up all that nerve… to ask the question… … well…. we got cut off. I think. I heard a click… and then a dial tone.
I don’t even know what Latuda is. But I don’t think I want to be right for it. I can’t stand the name of it. Can you imagine at parties.. how awkward that would be in conversation. “Polly, what’s new with you?” “Oh… not much… but Latuda is right for me. I asked. It is. And there you have it.”
It’s not like saying you went Zip-Lining… or Sky-Diving… or anything cool like that. No. It almost like saying… “Well… for fun … I cut my toenails on Friday night.”
Except… apparently… this Latuda Thing is risky business if it turns out to be right for you. The commercial tells YOU to tell your doctor about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts, as they may be signs of Tardive dyskinesia (TD).
And this TD thing is a big serious sledge hammer. It is a serious and sometimes permanent side effect. TD may not go away, even if you stop taking LATUDA. There are about 50 other side effects too.
LATUDA can affect your judgment, thinking, and motor skills.
How could it be right for me? I really don’t want uncontrollable movements in my face… or my tongue… or any other body part for that matter. I have trouble enough controlling these things without Latuda. Especially my bladder.
Oh. But here is the thing. This THING is no different than any other thing. How do we truly no ANYTHING is right for us. Sure, some times we get a feeling in our gut…. or in other cases…. we have a well-educated-guess. But there is not such thing as a sure thing. No safe bets. No guarantees.
Life is full of uncertainties…. full of hits or misses. And uncontrollable movements in our faces.
The best we can do… is our best. It is great when we know what is right for us, and it works. But in the cases where it doesn’t… that is okay too. There is a lesson to be learned… which in turn… helps us to grow. And when we are growing… we are facing the right direction…. toward the sun.
…. ….. …. Dag nab it. Now it is happening again. I can’t believe it’s not butter. Here. All this time! I thought it was butter. … …. …. ……….
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. — Brian Tracy