Get Over It (the Opioid Crisis) Already

April 14, 2023April 14, 2023 eBrightwingLeave a comment

My mom will turn 81 years old this July. She has been struggling without effective pain medication for over a year. Her OTC options are very limited because she is in Stage 4 kidney failure. She’s managed to stave off actual dialysis for nearly five years. She’s had one shoulder and one hip replaced and should probably have the remaining two replaced. But really at 81 years old?! She also has osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, sciatica and spinal disk issues.

And she isn’t able to truly manage her pain … because the backlash from addiction to opiods has meant that the people who really need them often can’t get them. We resorted to buying edible cannibas (high CBD/low THC). She sleeps more to escape the pain and her energy is depleted from the stress of dealing with continuous chronic pain. She loved taking her Yorkie for a daily walk. She enjoyed going out to shop and eat, visiting the ocean etc. COVID limited that for such a long time that we were really looking forward to doing them again. And she just can’t cope without effective pain relief.

We figured something had happened to change policies at her PeaceHealth medical provider and recently had confirmed via an article in a local newspaper that one of the senior doctors (who just happened to be her doctor) was both over prescribing and prescribing for himself.

In the interim, her doctor recommended a drug that interfered with her muscle control and led to falls, shots directly into her joints and back, physical therapy and, of course, more surgery. Again, she is 80 years old. Quality of life is clearly more inportant than quantity at this point. She’d been taking Hydrocodone without overuse or addiction off and on for years. Getting addicted seems highly unlikely and, even if she did, why would it really matter?

She had a wellness exam with her doctor and I went into it armed for grizzly bears. We were not leaving without a plan that included a medication to manage her pain. Viola! The prescription had to be reviewed by a “team,” but we will be picking it up from the pharmacy tomorrow.

In conclusion, punishing people with a real need for pain management via opioids is WRONG. If some of those people no longer need the drug and/or get addictd, they need real treatment that is a viable alternative (maybe methodone), not to simply be cut off. Individuals become heroin addicts because heroin is cheaper then pills on the black market. And the need to get any of those things illegally, leads to crime annd broken lives. Treating the social issues that lead to addiction might also be a “good” idea.

Hobbies · Knitting

Knitting Zen

November 7, 2016 eBrightwingLeave a comment

I spent a good deal of time over the weekend organizing my recent yarn purchases and upcoming projects. I even pulled out my swift and electric ball winder. As I settled in with my most recent project (Inara Wrap by Ambah O’Brien), I thought again about how easy it is to get into a rhythm while knitting and listening to audiobooks.

My love of reading and handicrafts has often been in conflict. Since both require not only my attention but my vision, I could usually perform only one at a time. I began listening to audiobooks when they first became readily available (early 90s), but both their quality and the technology available left much to be desired. First available as cassettes, then as CDs and downloads; the biggest jump was having them available from public libraries. The final innovation was Amazon’s purchase of Audible.com. I have over 1,000 books in my Audible library (purchased since the early 90s), but most purchases have been in the last five years. I especially love the ability to switch between reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook and getting discounts on their joint purchase!

Now, my mind can translate the audio into a movie while my eyes focus on my knitting. I can get lost for hours, my hands establishing a rhythm while my mind plays the story. I’ve sometimes reached the zone doing other things (besides reading) such as stringing jewelry or coloring posters and mandalas. I truly love the Zen of knitting to audiobooks though and highly recommend it!

History & Mission · Writing

Honoring My Gifts

Featured eBrightwingLeave a comment

I’m a writer. I am going to start honoring that and see where I wind up. Language and ideas are my catnip. I’ve even been known to argue the side I disagree with if that makes the conversation more fun. I’ve been journaling and writing fiction and nonfiction since first grade. I was already creating arts and crafts.

As a Gemini with Sagittarius rising and my moon in Capricorn, my love of logic led me to a 30+ year career in information technology as an Army civilian. My spiritual and creative side supports my interests in mythology, comparative religion, spiritual practices, and handicrafts ranging from coloring posters and mandalas to all forms of fiber art.

Since retirement, my focus has been on settling into a new life spent with my mother in the town I grew up in. Much remains the same: reading, writing, jewelry, knitting, pets (including Bernie, my Scottish Fold who is now 2 years old), and family/friends.