Comments on: Comparisons with Chronic Illness

By: bethhenshaw

bethhenshaw — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:44:33 +0000

This is a great point. I see really sick beat up trauma patients, open heart patients, etc. at work. So when I have a pt that says, my pain is a 10 in a calm and collected voice, I chuckle inside. Really? But inversely, when the MA at my rhuemy’s office asks me my pain on a pain scale, I can’t even go above a 2 or 3 because I see some serious stuff at work, imagine bad car wrecks. How in the world can I complain about pain after seeing that?
I hope that we can all remember compassion and listening are skills are difficult to gain. It takes a lot of practice.
Now, about my wrist, it really is more swollen than yours, do you want a measurement? :clown:

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 21:13:56 +0000

That is a clear point – sad but true Anita. And part of the reason RA is so hard to live with. It progresses so we can get worse, but seldom better unless there is a very good response to treatment.

By: Anita Lide

Anita Lide — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 20:15:18 +0000

I find it interesting that many of those who complain the most have illnesses that have successful treatments and cures. What many people fail to understand is that RA never goes away. We don’t have a cure to look forward to. We may have treatments that help, but the fact is we aren’t going to be well, ever.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 18:59:40 +0000

Aww. You have every right to complain. We can just all agree together that RA sux rox!

By: Dee Maxwell

Dee Maxwell — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 18:27:42 +0000

This really gave me a good chuckle today! I know sometime I compare myself too. But it’s the other way around. I feel like I have no right to complain because others hurt worse than I do. This really sheds some light on how silly it is to compare yourself to anyone at all! Thanks Kelly!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 15:29:12 +0000

Thanks for sharing your own Penelope funnies, Angela. Sometimes it can be annoying but I find laughing helps me cope too. I could just imagine her poking fingers at you. LOL.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 15:13:26 +0000

I used to work with a ‘Penelope’! We worked in the back, nursing, of a Doctor’s office. She used to complain about the patients who would call everyday 2 – 3 times asking for lab results and more medications etc. When she had a blood test done she called her Dr just about every hour wanting the results and when they would not give them to her she went to our lab and had them pull them up for her so that she could call her Dr back and demand treatment. I had been diagnosed with RA for a couple of months and she was now being diagnosed as well. After that she would constantly come up to me and shove her hands in my face and show me her swollen joints, claim she was allergic to every medication she was put on etc. I laugh about it now because everyone knew she was trying to get my sympathy and I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. My Mother in Law has also told me that us “Young” people have no idea what “health problems” are… I just grin and nod and think to myself that I hope she never has to learn first hand what health problems occur as a result of RA. I would gladly take her Diabetes and High Cholesterol…. Life with a ‘Penelope’!! LOL

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:34:46 +0000

Tell Penelope hi for me. LOL. :O

By: tharr

tharr — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:26:44 +0000

Oh man, this is hilarious. I work with Penelope! I know we shouldn’t, but we all just laugh about it behind her back now.
I know that my pain is not as severe as most, I don’t (think I) compare my pain to anyone else’s. I just focus on getting through each day with the least amount of pain possible. Except for the days that I go ride, I just have a good time on those days and deal with the pain later.

By: Amy Kline

Amy Kline — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:18:42 +0000

I get frustrated when someone tells me about their pain and then says “I should not complain, it is nothing compared to what you go through.” Pain is pain not matter what, if people feel they can not share what they are feeling with me how can I feel comfortable sharing with them. Thanks for the much needed laugh.