Illustration: Rodney Hall, BestStory.ca
A middle-aged woman suffering from arthritis, insomnia and fatigue is referred by her rheumatologist to a clinical psychologist conversant with chronic illness.
The patient’s story is similar to others the psychologist has heard about doctors well trained to treat acute pain who are at a loss when dealing with chronic pain. The woman, who also suffers from diabetes, confides that her family doctor pooh-poohed a new perplexing symptom she reported to him. This is the story of one psychologist’s emotional, bonding journey alongside her patient, leading her to conclude that “I am my sister’s keeper.”
[Chronic pain seen through a doctor’s eyes: See November 20, 2015 Notes From The Editor.]
- 2,901 Words
- 6 Photos
- 2 Illustrations