Thursday, May 26, 2011

Thinking about definitions

Pain management (also called pain medicine; algiatry)
#1) is that branch of medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach to easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_management

#2) treatment designed to ease chronic pain to enable a patient to have a better quality of life. Pain management can include medications, exercises, and relaxation techniques.
kidshealth.org/teen/cancer_center/words_to_know/cancer_glossa…

Compassion: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

Shouldn't compassion go hand in hand with the practice of pain management? I've witnessed it in pain clinics. Although, those moments have usually involved senior patients or the very young. I'm beginning to believe there's a prejudice (intentional or not) against a twenty-something year old living with constant pain.

Fran's first experience left us swept off our feet up at OHSU's brand new PM facility. Unfortunately for her, doctors' egos are often large AND tender. The nationally published pain management doctor had an idea of what was causing her pain, but when the possibility arose that he might be wrong, his team couldn't wait to get rid of her. When their psychologist deemed her mentally fit, they diagnosed a rash as shingles and sent her on her way.

The second, thankfully, was local, but from the beginning it seemed the team was operating on the premise that she just needed to stand up and walk. It was decided that the first pt person wasn't tough enough (Fran loved her).  She was replaced by someone who was sure Fran just didn't want to get better.

The third? I'm still trying to figure him out. Things began well, but it feels like they're unraveling. I'm getting the feeling that he thinks she'll be healed once he begins reducing her pain meds.

I could go on, but I won't. I just needed to vent a bit.
It's time to wipe off my face and get on with life.

2 comments:

Amber said...

Thinking about you guys! I'm so sorry this has been such a struggle. No one should have to suffer so much!

KandN said...

Thank you, Amber.
I just need to remember to keep my head wrapped around the fact that this is our life now. Deal with it as gracefully as possible and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
At least our home wasn't hit by a tornado, right?
What makes it easier, is knowing there are people like you who get it, because we're all fighting or coming to terms with something in our lives.
Damn it, the eyes are leaking again! ;)