February 23, 2018
Today is the last day of the Level 3 Chronic Pain Management program! The first thing they did was have us fill out questionnaires, which I knew was coming. Yeah, by this time, I really do know my Kaiser Medical # by memory!
After the meditation session, Francis led us in the 7 core exercises and then did a game in which each person was to cross the room doing anything–one of our exercises, Tai Chi, or any other movement that no one else had yet done. It was fun, in a campy sort of way. Francis did not, however, talk about acupressure as he had promised.
In Dr. Whitehead’s session, she had us each, individually, tell how we deal with flare-up management, and then tell what our goals are now that we’re leaving the class. She talked about the “aftercare” reunion class and went to a wall calendar. She announced that the date would be Wednesday, April 11. By my calculations, 6 weeks would be April 4; however, I will wait until the Pain Clinic contacts me.
In conclusion, Dr. Whitehead had us make a list, which she wrote on the white board, of things we had learned in this program. She talked about the “Healthy Living” classes available to Kaiser members, some free, some with a fee.
Finally, she gave out the graduation certificates, one at a time, while the rest of the class clapped (rather halfheartedly, I thought) and then gave the person a chance to say anything they wanted to the others in the group. Several of them talked about a new resolve to exercise. I talked about continuing my quest for actual pain relief, especially in non-pharmaceutical strategies. I asked about acupressure and biofeedback, and Dr. Whitehead indicated that patients could do either one or both by individual appointments with her or Francis. Hmm, I’ll have to think about that one.
Many of the members were obviously emotional about leaving our little “community” we’ve had together for the past 5 1/2 weeks. I’m guessing they don’t have a “community” outside their immediate families. They may not live on Facebook like I do! I have already started a new Facebook group called, “Jacquie’s Chronic Pain Circle,” with membership limited to those who are my Facebook Friends (including Acquaintances). We’ll see how that goes!
