A way you can step up
February 2nd, 2008 (8:12 am) by Troy-The following real-world story was relayed to me by my very good friend, RN Clara Hart who works with wounded warriors every day. What I love about this story is that she can highlight not only the pains and challenges that those wounded on the battlefield have to go through, but she can also show through her writing what I have known for years, and that is the American fighting man and woman can find humor in the worst of times. The ABSOLUTE WORST of times.
“Will you PLEASE stop kicking me!!” I harped at the soldier standing next to me. “I’m going to report you for nurse abuse if you don’t!” I sharply chided him. He simply stood there and with a look of “who me?” on his face responded, “they’d never believe you, they’d take one look at me and cart YOU off”. “Yeah, you’re right” I said, “but, really now, QUIT KICKING ME!” then giving up, shared a laugh with this particular man. A bilateral leg amputee, he was kicking me with his prosthetic legs and having quite a jolly time. In frustration I kicked him back, which only served to make him laugh harder and tell me “that didn’t hurt a bit”.
The sad part is that he does hurt. He and other veterans like him suffer daily with phantom pain, suffer daily with nerve pain and pain that takes over their lives. It becomes all consuming and never-ending, life as they knew it ceases to exist. They suffer from pain you cannot take enough medications to make go away. Marriages suffer, families are torn apart, and the mental anguish is inexplicable.
I recently sat in a meeting and listened to an OEF veteran talk about dealing with his pain. For 3 years after many, many surgeries, an amputation and ongoing physical therapy his pain persists. He often wonders if the pain will ever go away and he admits to fleeting thoughts of suicide. And he is not alone! I sit here right now and at least dozen of my former patients come to mind.
Although it is almost impossible, try and place yourself in his position. Can you even begin to imagine how living with pain every minute of every hour of every day would affect you? What kind of life you would have?
People always make comments like “I wish there were something I could do”. If you are truly serious in wanting to help I have a suggestion. Currently there is legislation proposed to give our OIF/OEF veterans better resources, benefits and assistance when it comes to pain and it’s impact on their lives. You can learn about this by going to the American Pain Foundation’s website www.painfoundation.org and clicking on Military/Veterans and Pain button on the right side. I urge you to go to this site and review everything on these pages. Here you will find plenty of ways to assist our wounded warriors. Only when we understand better and take the initiative to make our voices heard will change come about. They need your help and here is your way! Clara, I, and all wounded warriors challenge you, don’t let them down!