JRL instructed her to premedicate herself with her usual inhaled medicines before she came in contact with the respiratory irritants. This patient took the advice and, when she returned from Biloxi, she claimed that she had good news and bad news. The good news was that her breathing was perfect throughout her smoky ordeal. The bad news was that she threw away a lot of money. She and JRL then had a good laugh.
Families here are no different.
We find that some families just slip out of view and no longer appear for office visits, while others make a special effort to announce their change of circumstances and express their thanks for the care that has been rendered. These are opportunities for us also to acknowledge just what a significant part they have played in our lives, and how our lives have been made richer through the sharing of their sorrows, their pain, their triumphs, their joys and, quite frequently, their humor. Often, there is mutual pain in saying goodbye. One such recent parting was made somewhat easier by being able to continue the care giving, even from a distance. This family was en route to Alabama, just after one family member began a program for plantar fasciitis.