Comments on: Tiene Dolor?

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:49:11 +0000

Dear Mr. Shepherd,
Reading your post reminds me of the frustration I have felt at being in pain (though not as great as yours) and being under a doctor’s care. I say frustration, and I mean just that–your pronouncement, “Pain has me,” is an accurate, no, I guess I mean elegant, description of the powerlessness and impotence prolonged illness can affect. I, at least, felt angry that I could not fix it, that no one could fix it, that no one around me seemed to be outraged at or fully aware of what I was going through, (which I know sounds selfish, but when it hurts, it’s hard for anything else to be at the center of your awareness but your very present body). Pain is just not very speakable, I guess. There’s no expressing it, fully. And as you’ve noted, there’s no way, many times, of circumnavigating it. Just, you know, you go straight through it. It’s so solitary. I’m sorry it has you. I’m sorry it’s so solitary. I hope it eases. Thanks for sharing this with us.

By: Emily Warn

Emily Warn — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:39:52 +0000

Reginald,
I’ve always thought that those numerical pain-ranges were whacky. How do you quantify pain? And, as is evident in your post, they seem inherently psychological. Is there a limit to excruciating pain? How does 10 register in a stoic personality vs. a fearful personality? Etcetera.
And, I certainly hope that, as Jilly suggests, some pain specialist can keep you between the 1-4 range.
Emily

By: Jilly

Jilly — Tue, 27 May 2008 04:10:57 +0000

I’m sorry to hear about your travails.
Are you seeing a pain specialist? Studies have shown that racial minorities and women are under-treated for pain, so don’t let the medical personnel dismiss your level of pain even though you have a high-tolerance. Chronic pain re-wires your brain.
There are other things you can try along with medication, that a good pain intervention center can let you know about. (Like cranking up a TENS unit too high, so you get an flood of endorphins for a few hours.)

By: Mary Meriam

Mary Meriam — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:54:34 +0000

To write such a lucid, vivid, engaging essay, after having your guts ripped out, knocking on death’s door, and being in excrutiating pain, is more evidence of your tremendous strength, Reginald. What is this strength? At the risk of sounding soppy, I’d say it’s love that kept you alive. When you have love, you can make it through just about anything. You’ve got it in spades. I can see why you inspired such devotion in Robert. Now that you’ve almost died, I think that even better poems are ahead of you.

By: Brian Salchert

Brian Salchert — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:49:33 +0000

Mr. Reginald Shepherd,
May you and yours be blessed with
all the strength you need and more.