At a recent visit with a patient I was reminded about the pain we do not always recognize. Physical pain has its own pain scale and gradation from smiley, to sad face; but what about the other pain we do not always inquire about? The emotional pain when our bodies and futures are threatened and change. Amputation, stroke, creeping dementia, advanced cancer engender fear. Fear is a form of pain not assuaged by a painkiller.
Pain of loss of function, pain of spiritual abandonment and many variations on these themes all add to the burden of illness.
Disease that interferes with communication, and fluency of thought and speech can be isolating and dehumanizing. Inability to communicate this loss of communication adds to the fear, paranoia even and anger of this personal and social excommunication.
I was privileged to see some of his drawings. Sometimes listening takes a little more time. Sometimes understanding requires the use of all of our senses.
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