Monday, October 19, 2009

The Other Side of Pain

Wanna know a great place to be? Try the other side of pain. That's where I have finally ended up after three weeks of recovery from surgery. I shudder to think that there are situations out there that could cause people more pain than I had to experience, but there probably are.

Most of what I experienced could have been avoided if prescription drug abuse wasn't such a huge problem. My doctors were quick and eager to encourage me to get weaned off of the pain killers as soon as possible, before I became an addict I guess. I obediently listened and complied. But it was way too soon. For two days painful spasms would seize my body until I not only shook uncontrollably, but I couldn't speak either. Finally I was taken back to my doctors to see what was wrong...thinking maybe they'd find a scalpel or something that had been left in my body. Nope. I just needed to be on the meds a little bit longer.

I've been off the pills now for over five days with no problem at all. Now that I think about it, I should have given myself more credit. I have had extremely powerful pain killers at my disposal during my entire cancer treatment process, since April, and I've always had some left over that I've just thrown out. So, if I was going to be an addict, it would have happened a long time ago. Addicts don't throw away oxycodone.

5 comments:

  1. I love you. We'll be down this weekend from Friday through Tuesday. I want to see you.

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  2. It is good to hear that things are progressing. What a deal! It is amazing what you can endure isn't it? I sure love you Rose :)

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  3. I just love your attitude and humorous personality through all of this. (The hairbrush song is funny!) You're an amazing woman Rose Mary, I think of you often.

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  4. Oh Rose, I am so sorry. I know that pain, that relentless pain that is so unbearable that you shake and can't open your eyes, and you beg, plead with God to be merciful and just take you NOW. I had serious complications after my brain surgery, the pain was so severe that I went into convulsions while in the hospital, projectile vomited everything, including pain meds, that went into my stomach. Oxycodone, morphine, nothing could touch it. As for the truck, I've been trying to track it down myself since it hit me four years ago. I think I can't make out the license plate because I'm still pinned under the back wheels. You and your family are in my prayers every night. Love, your cousin Jenny.

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  5. YOU ARE AN AMAZING PERSON!! lOVE YOU, THE DENHAM FAMILY

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