Owie! A new pain scale - I like this idea

Anything with “Owie, it hurts” in the title catches my attention like a recent posting on MSNBC. The article, written by Linda Carroll, discusses a new tool that helps doctors understand the pain you are in. As I have complained about before, those 10-point pain scales really don’t make sense to me. It is way too subjective and confusing.

Now there is a standardized, computerized scoring system called Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information system (PROMIS), which includes 120 questions specific to pain, as well as hundreds more dealing with anxiety, depression and fatigue.

This article agreed with me saying “Everybody experiences and copes with pain differently. One person may feel only a little discomfort, but resists performing daily chores such as unloading groceries for fear of making it worse. Another may report significant joint pain, but still go full speed on the treadmill.” That’s me exactly.

I look forward to when this pain scale is used to provide more realistic, and accurate pain measurement. To read the entire article, click here.

A litle background on T5

Since very few have read my story yet, I guess I should give some background. On August 9, 2003, I broke my back in a freak tree-cutting accident. It was diagnosed as a T5 compression fracture; it really was a life-changing event. I went from a fun, spontaneous, and ‘let’s do it’ kind of woman to a low-energy, chronic pain sufferer who doesn’t do a whole lot.

Over the past six years, I’ve spent a lot of time and effort trying to fix the back injury. I’ve seen the good and the really bad sides of our healthcare system. I’ve looked into all kinds of alternative therapies. And now, I’m working on me. I’ve found it’s all related.

This blog, while addressing some of the past issues, carries the book into today, tomorrow and beyond. I invite you to join me on the journey – the continuing saga of T5.

Welcome to my re-focused blog

The book - The Continuing Saga of T5 - is written. That doesn’t mean the work is done … just that I’ve gotten my words down on paper. Now it’s time for outsiders to read and edit. Then, I’ll decide if I should search for a traditional agent and publisher … go the self-publishing route … simply print it myself … or just put the manuscript away. The therapy of writing has already occurred. What’s next will happen as it happens.

I used to focus this blog on customer service experiences in my life. Now, I find it is time to re-focus on the T5 saga. Of course, customer service in the healthcare field will be part of that, as will everyday activities; however, here is where I plan to continue talking T5. Welcome to my re-focused blog.

The door is locked

Yesterday, my husband and I were doing errands and stopped by Wendy's for a late lunch. We walked up to the door and it was locked. What? Are they closed? There's cars at the drive-in. They can't be closed, can they? We looked in the tinted windows. Only one person sitting in the dining room -- an employee. We knocked on the windows. She looked at us and then looked away. We were about ready to leave when my husband walked around the building to the other side. That door was unlocked. He walked in. He came over to the other door and tried to open it for me. It still would not open. No one came to help. I ended up walking around to the far door and going inside. I immediately went to the counter and asked for the manager.

After a couple minutes, the manager arrived. I asked if she knew the door was locked. She said yes. I said that if the door wasn't working, she should put a sign up saying so and telling people to use the other door (instead of leaving). I asked if the restaurant was required by law to have two working and unlocked doors. She said yes. She acted like the locked door was my problem and she didn't want to be bothered with it or me, but she hurried over to the locked door and messed with it. Whatever she did at the top of the door worked. The door was now unlocked.

Guess she didn't want me to call the fire department to enforce the unlocked door requirement. Geez, people. Would you please think about your customers. Make it easy for them to spend money at your business. And if a customer has a concern, the least you could do is act interested.

I'm not a Wendy's fan anyway (my husband is). I don't like their french fries. And, if they act like they don't like me or don't want me around, no problem, I'll go somewhere else next time. Customer service is about the customer!

A simple light bulb -- I knew it!

Last week, my right turn signal in my truck started flashing extra fast. This means it doesn't work. I know that. First, I changed the turn signal fuses (yes, I know how) -- that didn't work.Turns out the right tail light wasn't working. How come when I'm not looking for an auto parts store, I see them everywhere, but when I'm looking for one, I don't pass by one on any of my errands. Then yesterday, I saw one of those old fashioned, hole in the wall auto parts store in downtown Apex, NC. I pulled in. Dirty, old, not my normal kind of store, but I figured, hey, these people would really be helpful and provide good service. I asked for a rear tail light for a 2001 GMC Sonoma pickup. The guy looked it up and went to a bin and pulled one out. It wasn't in a package. It was just a lone light bulb. It cost $1.33 (including tax). So I bought it. I went home and followed the user's manual directions for removing the tail light and inserting the new bulb. Replaced the tail light -- the turn signal still doesn't work. Bummer.

Now I'm thinking it's something more than just a burnt out bulb. I call my favorite auto repair shop, Apex Autoworks, and make an appointment for first thing this morning. I tell them I'm going to wait and if it's something that needs a while to fix or a part order, I'll bring my truck back another time. I wait about an hour and the tech returns my truck with a signal that works.

It was the light bulb. He showed me the bulb I put in (that I bought 'new' yesterday). It had a burnt spot in it. His new bulb did the trick. He told me that sometimes even new bulbs are bad, but I'm betting it was the inventory at that old, dirty store where bulbs aren't even kept in packages.

So, I wasted time and money. I spent my original $1.33 plus the $14.56 that the auto repair shop charged. I think Apex Autoworks charged a very fair price and are quick, helpful and always friendly, but still -- I knew it was the lightbulb and I can fix that myself -- if the light bulb would have worked!!!!