What a tragedy and a terrible loss for all of us. Thank you for posting this and the links to additional posts. I hope someone makes a movie about this remarkable woman and her unbelievable struggle.
It is terrible to think, but sometimes I wish others could feel the pain even just for a moment to understand. I would never wish my pain on anyone, but wouldn't it be nice, for them to really be able to see for a moment. That judge would not have made that harsh judgment, had the pain had been experienced personally for even a moment.
My thoughts and sympothy go out to the family.
I was devastated to read about Siobhan. I spoke with her on the phone after my novel was published, and we talked about state of pain treatment and the challenges she was facing with possible prosecution because of her support of certain physicians. She was passionate, articulate and inspiring.
Hi Kate – It's good to hear from you. I wish I had been able to meet Siobhan. She sounds like such an amazing person.
On a side note, I just have to tell you... your novel became so real to me that even now, almost two years after reading it, I'll catch myself starting to use the protagonist's experience as an example of why so many doctors are afraid to prescribe opioids. I have to remind myself that this was a fictional character! That certainly says something about the quality of your writing. I hope your book has helped change some minds on this issue. – Karen
Note to others reading this comment: In case you're wondering what book I'm referring to, Kate wrote Remedies, an excellent novel that dealt with issues surrounding chronic pain treatment. You can read my review here: Remedies: A Book Review
Hi Kate – It's good to hear from you. I wish I had been able to meet Siobhan. She sounds like such an amazing person.
On a side note, I just have to tell you... your novel became so real to me that even now, almost two years after reading it, I'll catch myself starting to use the protagonist's experience as an example of why so many doctors are afraid to prescribe opioids. I have to remind myself that this was a fictional character! That certainly says something about the quality of your writing. I hope your book has helped change some minds on this issue. – Karen
Note to others reading this comment: In case you're wondering what book I'm referring to, Kate wrote Remedies, an excellent novel that dealt with issues surrounding chronic pain treatment. You can read my review here: Remedies: A Book Review
I had the privilege of working with Siobhan on a problem I was having in Ohio. She spent a great amount of her time and energy advocating with the media and hospital that needed to be enlightened about the plight of chronic pain patients, Siobhan's dedication and committment to the plight of chronic pain survivors encouraged me and helped me renew my committment to ending discrimination and abuse of those seeking treatment for chronic pain. This a tremendous and devastating loss to me personally and to all those Siobhan fought to protect. Please remember Siobhan by advocating for yourself and all that share this debilitating disease.
R White
It does seem that some people get far more than their share of life struggles. I would like to hear more about this woman's life and how she coped with so many challenges yet still found strength to give back and help others.
I am so sorry that her life ended this way.
Thank you for sharing a bit of her story with us.
IM A CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERER,,I cannot post as typing is to hard for me, as i sit here sobbing for all of us, i am going through this same problem , i have serous cardic isssues, as i had a massive heart attck a year ago, i am back in severe pain, my doctor retired, i am supposed to be in the hospital becouse what this severe pain will do to my heart,,, im so scared to go from hearing all this hoorid sufferings such as mine, and now i have no pain doctor, i have so much to live for but i cannot bear this pain in my body,,, i feel hopless as what to do, im so sad to hear of the plane crash,,, her poor son is suffering such a sad loss, i also lost a parent at 23 yrs old,,, something has to change,, IT HAS TO ! we cant go on like this, i just found out about the pain releif network a few months ago,, this all saddens me,,, what has our world come to,,, i have to be a person who can only exist on my bed moaning in agony with no releif, no life with my family as i am literly incompasited in sheer pain, im so scared, i have no choise but to trust in doctors as soon i will be forced to go to the hosptial, the strain on my damaged heart is to much, the pains to severe, i have no life, iv become a full burden to my family, and i see in their eyes such saddness to see their mom, wife, loved one, and nona, ''as i am called also'', and they cannot help me, they feeel helpless, this pain has totaly ruind my life,,, im scared and feel hopless,, this woman will be greatly miss'd she gave me hope,,,,iv lost faith in everything, even in my god,,, how can people let us suffer so,,, its barbaric and in humaine,,, we are people,, we do matter in this world,,, even if only to our loved ones! WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND A LIFE WITH OUT PAIN !
I want to thank you for this blog site,,although i sob when i read all the storys becous they are just like mine, i want to say,, please keep the hope, keep strong, and dont give up we have families that need us,, as much as we need them,,
Iwas looking for my reply from Karen, as i had found strength in it and hope in your reply, soon i wont be able to come on the site ,i will be in to much pain and will not be able to function due to pain, todays a fair day thanx to medication so i was able to get on the laptop myself today and check out the site, as its a wonderful site and will check it all out ,im hopeful and karens reply made me feel some hope, i need to feel hope at this point, thats all i have left i fear, and god, and the strength from other chronic pain suffer's,
sunny
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Karen,
What a loss to those of us in pain and especially for those who aren't fortunate enough to have an understanding physician. It's a tragedy to learn this lady had to endure so much in order to try to help others. I cannot imagine a judge being so heartless as to send a human being to prison simply because of medications for intolerable pain.
Thank you for this post. Thank you, also, for all the work you've done for probably 20 years in trying to get information out about fibromyalgia. I personally know you've done this tirelessly and many times without the appreciation you so deserve.
I take this opportunity to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for every night you've been up researching what you post for us here and for all the work you put into our support group for the years we had it. God bless you, my friend, for everything you've done to further our cause!
twinsgram
Thank you for your kind words. It's always nice to hear that my work is appreciated. :>)
I hope Siohban Reynolds knew that we appreciated all she did. I'm sorry to say I really didn't know much about her until I read these articles after her death. Her story hit me hard. It's frightening to know how much power the DEA and federal prosecutors have and how they're misusing it. You'll probably be seeing more posts from me on this subject in the weeks to come. I just can't get it out of my head.
Thanks again for your support! – Karen
Karen,
I know; it hit me hard, too. I know how hard you work in a different area and know it's a timeless job. It seems she gave her life for the cause. I read all the links you posted and it made me angry that the people who are making the decisions about our healthcare aren't healthcare people at all; that is so irritating! We've known it for so long but it still causes much concern to know that they know so little about pain and the care we need for it. Keep up the good work!
Thank you again,
Linda E -- twinsgram
I am an irregular poster to my pain newsletter blogs and forums, mainly because of pain issues. I don't always have these issues under control. Suffering from RSD - I know there is a new name for it these days but I have had it since before they changed the name to include it in to a group of pain disorders CPRS. That sort of bothers me, kind of makes me feel how I am sometimes treated - like you can't always SEE my problem so you go sit over there in that group. Anyway, I digress. I guess that's what happens to me when I feel strong enough to sit at the computer to type (the dreaded pain issue thing) and I have so much to say and the forums to say it are not always right in front of me. Anyway the loss of Siobahn is truly tragic. She was a champion of all causes of pain in nature. Unless you have walked a mile in my shoes I truly belief you should stay out of the race. The only thing I can compare it to is when men get into a discussion about abortion (please don't get into any legal or religious views here with me I am just trying to make a point on a purely intellectual level) I could never figure out how men could know what going through an abortion could make a women feel like both mentally and physically, until they can get pregnant they cannot!! It's really the same idea. To make things more difficult to ease my pain when I can tell you, prove to you, that I am able to survive on certain meds and then to be told sorry, nope you can't have them. It's just cruel, they don't treat lab animals this poorly. I just want to be able to get myself out of bed, take care of my daily needs, cook a simple dinner for my hubby, son and myself, visit my son, d-i-l and my twin grandbabies who call me Nona. I want to be able to sit on the floor with them and read a story without tears running down my face, I don't want little Elyssa touching my tears and crying because she thinks she did something wrong; my monkeyboy Ryan coming to hug me because he's such a love. I want them to laugh and wait for me to play with them, not think of me as a sad Nona. I know I'll never be able to chase them and make them laugh but i want to be able to have the quiet times with them without tears. I want some dignity and without the pain meds I have nothing but pain, no future, just blackness. These people who hold all the power have no compassion because if they did they would consider who they affect when they make these decisions the 10's of thousands of lives that are affected. The drug companies do not make these drugs for s simple few, they make them only if it is profitable, we all know that. As long as it brings relief, let us have it so we can lead lives as close to normal as possible, let our tears be ones from laughter, not pain.