Re: Survivor practice................................................re-posted for Mary Wade

From: Kathy L. (kjlu9857@velocity.net)
Thu Dec 21 17:27:29 2000


Okay, here are some of my gems from doctor's I've seen over the years.

I see you bite your nails. You must be a nervous person so that explains your pain.

Are you married (I thought, gee what would be the correct answer to that question).

You have to learn to live with the pain.

A surgeon wouldn't touch you with a 10 foot pole. (heard that after my surgery in July) Thank God Dr. Redan didn't agree with that one.

How was your holiday, I said, not too good because I was in pain and vomiting. He said, I knew you would say that.

I am still in pain, The doctor said, what do you want me to do about it.

Just go out and enjoy the sunshine.

You need to eat fresh foods, nothing from a box mix.

You've seen 2 surgeons and been to us(the ER) three times, what more do you want from us(this was the week my appendix burst)

This is just a sample of the baloney that I have heard over many years. And the sad thing is, even if you disagree with these doctors, they still just don't get it.

Thank God for the wonderful Family Practitioner I found 3 years ago. She has saved my life and my sanity.

Thanks for listening!

--
kathy L.

At Thu, 21 Dec 2000, Helen Dynda wrote: > >Dear Mary, Since your message did not appear as it "should've" -- I >decided to re-post it for you. I like your idea of asking others to add >to your list of "I COULD'VE/SHOULD'VE." I hope that many will respond >with theirs as well. ( Please read my message to you -- below your >message.) -- Helen > >[]]]] At Thu, 21 Dec 2000, Mary Wade wrote: > >Feeling good...oh so good...after my recent surgery with Drs. Reich and >Redan. Now it just needs to stay this way! Grrrrrrrr. > >During this recuperation period, my mind has been working overtime >thinkinabout the circumstances that have brought us all together here. >Over the years, I could've/should've done SOOOO much better in >advocating for my own care. It is tough because our problems are so >little appreciated by the medical community. The fact that ARD is not >widely recognized by the medical community keeps me from being bitter >now about some of the assessments of my condition that were tossed my >way over the years. > >I have been thinking about how I should've/could've followed up on all >of these...ahem......"helpful" assessments. Here's my idea. Read >through the following list of comments that I have received from >professionals....mostly physicians....some physical therapists....over >the years. I was STUpid to have let some of these assessments slide. >But then, you know how it is when you hurt. I do know how I would >handle this sort of drivel now, but maybe by throwing light on my own >ineptness, this can serve to help others. > >Send me your ideas about how I could've/should've handled these comments >that would not have left me stuck...for months and years....before once >again reaching out for help. >Get the idea? This is like a page in a workbook....a practice session in >nudging our fellow fallible human beings, who happen to be in the >medical profession, toward responsibility for their sometimes >less-than-stellar dismissals of our complaints. Here goes! (I'll try to >collect comments and put them all together in some sort of coherent >fashion if you all send me ideas.) > >"You are just a tight-assed woman with a little myofascial pain." > >"The barium enema shows that you have the gut of an 80-year old." NOTE: >I was 45 at the time. > >"You just need to get up and get moving." > >"All women have pelvic pain from time to time." > >"You have a Type A personality...more susceptible to stress." > >"Your problems are postural....stand up straight." > >"You just need to work on your abs and stretch out those tight >hamstrings." > >"We don't really if the pain is physical or mental. Either way, you >need help." > >"You need the pain to feel alive." > >"How is your relationship with your husband?" > >"There is a pain loop in your brain...you feel a bit of pain when you >are stressed and you feel more stress when you feel pain. It's a >vicious cycle. You need to break the cycle." > >"I have nothing to offer you." > >~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ > >Dear Mary, >It is so good to hear that you are feeling good after your recent >surgery with Drs. Reich and Redan at Scranton, PA. You reached out for >help for your ARD ( adhesion-related disease ) by having your surgery >done by two of the BEST surgeons in the world. By doing this the odds >are in your favor for a successful recovery!! Best wishes for continued >progress with the necessary healing that takes place following surgery!! > >Happy Holidays to you and your family!! > >With love, Helen


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