"Now it feels like my only choice is to become a sleep-deprived torture victim, or a junkie."
"Yes, managing long-term pain can be a terrible burden. I'm very sorry you're having to struggle with these sorts of questions." Leedle replied sympathetically.
That was a good response. Sensitive, but non-directive. Mike should've taken a cue from that. He should've just sat there silently and let Mary talk--no matter what she said--and just gone home at the end of the meeting. That's what he should've done; but it's not what he did.
In an effort to be encouraging--at least that's what he told himself after the fact--Mike asked, "Did the doctor mention any alternative treatments? Mom used to have back pain a lot before she started doing yoga. Now she almost never has trouble anymore."
Immediately Mary's flushed red. In a voice that was equal parts a steadily rising anger and dripping sarcasm, she replied: "Why no, Mike. I hadn't thought to ask that. At no point in the past four months of agony has anyone in my family or on my medical staff considered an alternative.
"Yes, managing long-term pain can be a terrible burden. I'm very sorry you're having to struggle with these sorts of questions." Leedle replied sympathetically.
That was a good response. Sensitive, but non-directive. Mike should've taken a cue from that. He should've just sat there silently and let Mary talk--no matter what she said--and just gone home at the end of the meeting. That's what he should've done; but it's not what he did.
In an effort to be encouraging--at least that's what he told himself after the fact--Mike asked, "Did the doctor mention any alternative treatments? Mom used to have back pain a lot before she started doing yoga. Now she almost never has trouble anymore."
Immediately Mary's flushed red. In a voice that was equal parts a steadily rising anger and dripping sarcasm, she replied: "Why no, Mike. I hadn't thought to ask that. At no point in the past four months of agony has anyone in my family or on my medical staff considered an alternative.
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