This a companion piece to my graphic and editorial on the criminalization of pain. Executive director of the Pain Relief Network, Siobhan Reynolds has devoted her life to patients who suffer pain and those who treat them. The harsh reality is that people who endure severe pain often find out how difficult it is to find a doctor to treat pain. It is an unbelievable situation that people do not think they will confront until the problem unfortunately involves them, their family and friends. Good physicians are bearing the wrath of the federal government. It is common sense that Medical boards need to revoke licenses from those doctors in any medical practice who do not follow legal and ethical medical practice without the best interests of their patients as their primary focus. We have come to expect good medical care in this country. Up until middle 90’s, patients were treated for pain, but since then, physicians have turned away from treating pain adequately for fear of federal prosecution. Our expectations have changed as a necessary and positive part of good medical practice and we don’t think of doctors treating pain inadequately fearing the red flags that lead to raids of doctor’s offices and medical records by our federal government. Thousands of people who are critically or chronically ill and in severe pain are caught in a terrible crisis and want the problem addressed by the Congress to change the Controlled Substances Act. Appalled by what I experienced as a patient and staying informed for my patients with the help of Siobhan Reynolds. I join her fight to reverse this travesty. I have written to my Congressional representatives to aid her efforts. You can hear taped interviews of Ms. Reynolds on her website, pain relief network. She speaks about a doctor facing a prison sentence for 100 years. The DEA feels this doctor was fooled when she wrote two prescriptions in her office in South Carolina. It is a personal and professional mission of mine that patients receive appropriate pain care in the United States. I have seen many patients who have an extremely difficult time finding doctors who will prescribe opiates including cancer patients when there can be no rational for oral medication in the last stages of the disease. I had a patient whose mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died three months after her diagnosis that naturally came as a shock to her son and daughters. There have been breakthroughs in pain medications for cancer patients and those who suffer from chronic pain. Without doctors, who will prescribe these medications? How has medical research been served? As I stated in my last narrative on this issue and others to come, I urge you to be informed about this crisis. Begin with reading the content on the pain relief network and also Siobhan Reynolds informed and highly intelligent testimony to the United States Congress. We all are vulnerable to the consequences of this serious medical crisis. People not only suffer needlessly in agony, but millions of deaths are attributed to the brutal punishment the body sustains from severe pain and patient suicides when no hope is in sight. After the death of her mother who succumbed to pancreatic cancer, her daughter asked me to listen to Carly Simon’s song, Like A River. Carly Simon wrote letters that were never sent to her mother and others and eventually the letters became an album, Letters Never Sent. When I listen to this exceptionally talented writer and musician, I think of the needless suffering of patients, but also of the families and friends who loved these special people who died before their time. My mother also died before her time so many tears stained the pages of these lyrics that are also in book form. My mother’s story is a fascinating one that I look forward to sharing with you. Like A River lyrics (Carly Simon) Dear mother the struggle is over now And your house is up for sale We divided your railway watches Between the four of us I fought over the pearls With the other girls But it was all a metaphor For what was wrong with us As the room is emptying out Your face so young comes into view And on the back porch is a well-worn step And a pool of light you can walk into I'll wait no more for you like a daughter, That part of our life together is over But I will wait for you, forever Like a river... Can you clear up the mystery of the Sphinx? Do you know any more about God? Are you dancing with Benjamin Franklin On the face of the moon? Have you reconciled with Dad? Does the rain still make you sad? Last night I swear I could feel you Moving through my room And I thought you touched my feet I so wanted it to be true In my theater there is a stage And a footlight you can step into... I'll wait no more for you like a daughter, That part of our life together is over But I will wait for you, forever Like a river... In the river I know I will find the key And your voice will rise like the spray In the moment of knowing The tide will wash away my doubt 'Cause you're already home Making it nice for when I come home Like the way I find my bed turned down Coming in from a late night out. Please keep reminding me Of what in my soul I know is true Come in my boat, there's a seat beside me And two or three stars we can gaze into... I'll wait no more for you like a daughter, That part of our life together is over But I will wait for you forever Like a river... I'll never leave, always just a dream away A star that's always watching Never turn away We'll never leave, always just a thought away A candle always burning Never turn away The moon will hide, the tree will bend I'm right beside you I'll never turn away.