tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post7504652593632101132..comments2024-01-12T06:12:35.838-05:00Comments on StorytellERdoc: The Damaged Eyes of AlcoholismStorytellERdochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371229500424449124noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-78472677093582946852010-07-07T12:07:10.989-04:002010-07-07T12:07:10.989-04:00Hope,
Dear Dr. Storyteller,
Imagine if instead of...Hope,<br /><br /><i>Dear Dr. Storyteller,<br />Imagine if instead of an alcoholic, this was a type 1 who took too much insulin and went into a coma.</i><br /> <br /> <br />Actually, this is not that uncommon, either. Some people who work in emergency medicine are more critical of those who manage their diabetes poorly.<br /> <br /> <br /><i>Would she be so deserving of the judgement that Mrs. Smith is getting.</i><br /> <br /> <br />I think you have been reading too much judgment into the post and the comments.<br /> <br /> <br /><i>It seems that people have more compassion for Mr. Smith who decided that his wife's disease was reason enough to break his family up and leave two children there to deal with the consequences.</i><br /> <br /> <br />Where does it state that this is the case?<br /> <br /> <br /><i>It is obvious that Mrs. Smith has a problem and it is obvious that she has made attempts to control it. But alcoholism is a disease of relapses. That she said "I'm quitting" and then drank is just shows that the alcohol controls her, not the other way around. It's what alcoholics do. I just find it sad that even when she is trying to get control, she can't find any compassion from anyone.</i><br /> <br /> <br />Perhaps you should reread this and reconsider your comment about lack of compassion.<br /><br />If you read through the comments, you will find that your comment is very different from the others. You may feel that you are more observant than everyone else, but I think that you are the one who has not noticed the compassion in the post.Rogue Medichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07598646309630074992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-19185638418756425472010-07-07T11:08:57.298-04:002010-07-07T11:08:57.298-04:00Dear Dr. Storyteller,
Imagine if instead of an alc...Dear Dr. Storyteller,<br />Imagine if instead of an alcoholic, this was a type 1 who took too much insulin and went into a coma. Would she be so deserving of the judgement that Mrs. Smith is getting. It seems that people have more compassion for Mr. Smith who decided that his wife's disease was reason enough to break his family up and leave two children there to deal with the consequences. It is obvious that Mrs. Smith has a problem and it is obvious that she has made attempts to control it. But alcoholism is a disease of relapses. That she said "I'm quitting" and then drank is just shows that the alcohol controls her, not the other way around. It's what alcoholics do. I just find it sad that even when she is trying to get control, she can't find any compassion from anyone.Hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15253389517563213163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-25575417803983433272010-07-06T23:06:23.020-04:002010-07-06T23:06:23.020-04:00Alcoholism is a family disease. But it can also be...Alcoholism is a family disease. But it can also be a family in recovery. Just spent the weekend in San Antonio, Texas for 75th AA International Convention with 60,000 recovering alcoholics. WOW! The best weekend of my life. Recovery is beautiful. Al-anon is an awesome resource for families of alcoholics. These programs have changed our lives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-41689395473585577102010-07-06T20:34:14.615-04:002010-07-06T20:34:14.615-04:00I hope and pray this patient can finally want to/n...I hope and pray this patient can finally want to/need to stay sober, for her children, and for herself.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16505134228454833619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-62332043981670054212010-07-06T17:14:34.999-04:002010-07-06T17:14:34.999-04:00anymore, I can't stand to see the hope in the ...anymore, I can't stand to see the hope in the children's eyes when the mom goes to treatment "one more time." I think maybe I need a break from volunteering at the treatment center because that kind of attitude doesn't help anyone.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542230897888388433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-46902164860048438732010-07-06T13:58:16.463-04:002010-07-06T13:58:16.463-04:00Very sad.
A parent with a responsibility for two ...Very sad.<br /><br />A parent with a responsibility for two children and for herself, but abandoning all of that for a habit.<br /><br />Habits are hard to break. Add a chemical dependency and it becomes much more difficult. <br /><br /><b><i>There must have been a time, in the beginning, when we could have said – no. But somehow we missed it.</i></b> - Tom StoppardRogue Medichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07598646309630074992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-21526495660075518512010-07-06T12:00:35.355-04:002010-07-06T12:00:35.355-04:00She CAN succeed. I have witnessed it. She was told...She CAN succeed. I have witnessed it. She was told she could never drink or smoke again. i know someone else who quit cold turkey and I guess amazingly never had seizures such as you describe.<br /><br />And AA is loaded with positive testimonies.<br /><br />I have seen in my personal life ..the ravages of alcoholism, but thankfully didn't progress as far. It leaves it's scars though. that is inevitable.<br /><br />Years ago ..I read a book by Suzanne Summers (Read it in 1988), in which she discussed her horrendous child hood growing up with her alcoholic father. her siblings became alcoholic. She didn't but she had self destructive behaviors. In the end ..they were all healed of the disease because he went to AA. I don't recall if her mother went to Al-Anon ..an excellent group for people negatively impacted by an alcoholic in their life. these programs are free and last I knew ..they had a high success rate.<br /><br />Alcoholism, drugs, food, smoking, gambling, shopping, porn etc., etc., pick your addiction ..so many are afflicted with theses things. No one plans to be an addict and I imagine the line for which one crosses over to the dark side of addiction is different for everyone. But there is help. The addict has to make the choice. there is a saying .."But for the grace of God ..there go I." It's easy for some people to judge ..but unless you've been down that road ...<br /><br />That being said ..it DESTROYS lives and robs innocence from children. The negative ripple effect is profound.<br /><br />People living with an addict should get help for themselves. If there is one well person in the house ..then the children stand a better chance of not succumbing to the disease themselves.<br /><br />There is help and people can overcome these things. but it is work.<br /><br />I am amazed when you hear stories where alcoholics or someone with a life threatening disease will say they are grateful it happened or they wouldn't be in the good place in life that they are with the awareness that they have.<br /><br />You are so compassionate Jim. I've often seen ED docs that do not have the patients for this stuff. I guess it depends on the circumstances.SeaSprayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07906503090688697222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-37654736852518150042010-07-06T11:07:48.935-04:002010-07-06T11:07:48.935-04:00Oh no! I accidently posted my comment above twice ...Oh no! I accidently posted my comment above twice so I removed the second comment but it left it with a comment-removed message! Now it looks like I made bad comments and removed them! Great! Oh well. Anyway - the removed comment? It was a duplicate. Sorry! And now this will be my 3rd comment for you that I have left today. I'm going for a record. Most-amount-of-comments-I-can-leave-on-someone's-blog-today :) Em.Emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03088217982133433639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-50692327307529080672010-07-06T11:03:23.718-04:002010-07-06T11:03:23.718-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03088217982133433639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-59906794783954873392010-07-06T11:03:17.684-04:002010-07-06T11:03:17.684-04:00I have been a follower to your blog for awhile now...I have been a follower to your blog for awhile now but I don't believe I've ever commented. I just wanted you to know how beautiful of a story-teller you are and that I think it is wonderful that there are still doctors like you left in this world. It gives me a kind of hope. Have an awesome day and check out my currently-abandoned-but-I-swear-I-am-gonna-post-again-soon blog. Em.Emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03088217982133433639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-50702370321245069212010-07-06T00:46:17.891-04:002010-07-06T00:46:17.891-04:00Like so many have written here it touches close to...Like so many have written here it touches close to home for me as well. Reading some of the comments it echos things I have seen and experienced. There is nothing worse than seeing a loved one experience an alcoholic seizure. There's nothing worse than watching someone you love not be able to take control of the devil drug. <br /><br />The governments are so busy policing street drugs...alcohol is just as bad...actually I think worse because it is legal...it is considered OK or acceptable.<br /><br />I truly hope this woman is able to find the path to wellness and hopefully regain the love and trust of her children.<br /><br />So many lives have been ruined from this evil drug.<br /><br />Thank you for a wonderful and valuable post!Smalltown RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08806734351278128551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-45257882857418074412010-07-05T22:41:37.037-04:002010-07-05T22:41:37.037-04:00Jim another great post! I hope to that the mother ...Jim another great post! I hope to that the mother will finally take the right steps, children do not deserve that kind of life. Anna :)myonlyphotohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324578791902437827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-38410114869563001242010-07-05T20:17:00.598-04:002010-07-05T20:17:00.598-04:00Thank you for writing this; I needed to read it. ...Thank you for writing this; I needed to read it. I have been sober for over a year but have fallen off of AA meetings over the last few months... Think it's time to hit one again. <br /><br />God, six years sober and right back at it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-32763447885082473292010-07-05T00:59:04.550-04:002010-07-05T00:59:04.550-04:00During my training in the 70's I worked in a m...During my training in the 70's I worked in a male ward whose main occupants were alcoholics who lived on the streets of Darlinghurst. <br /><br />Putting aside the dreadful conditions they lived in and their deplorable health conditions, most were great characters with a wealth of stories that could both warm your heart and make you cry.<br /><br />Once young men with great ambitions and family ties, life passed them by as they became old men before their time. <br /><br />Where are they now? At peace at last, one hopes. <br /><br />Take Care,<br />PeterPeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12097919387041286154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-52242243665650510002010-07-04T07:51:03.423-04:002010-07-04T07:51:03.423-04:00Hit very close to home...we buried my brother-in l...Hit very close to home...we buried my brother-in law to Cirrhosis- 4 years ago- at the "too young to die" age of 49! Buried another close friend- 3 years ago, at the same age with same diagnosis. <br /><br />We just performed a family sponsored "intervention" for my 55 year old brother-in-law- he is currently in extended Rehab. He was on the same path and we could not see another family member or friend die without doing "something". We had learned from the other two premature deaths. It was pay for Rehab or pay for his imminent funeral. So far, so good for him. He remains in rehab...4 weeks and counting. Has a few more weeks to go. <br /><br />As a ER nurse, I see the damages from alcohol abuse/misuse daily. The revolving door of those seeking Detox (time and time again), young cirrhotic patients arriving for emergency taps for distended, ascitic abdomens and I appreciate the toll the disease takes on them and their loved ones.Sadly, most have nothing AND nobody by the time the end arrives. They have exhausted any and all material and people resources by the end. Anyone who works in the ER has seen true tale unfold (too many times).<br /><br />"Mrs. Smith" is fortunate- she still has loving children and a husband who are supportive. They are willing to still help her.I pray she makes it. Tough disease but it's possible to fight it with the right treatment and support.Demanding Mistress, indeed!<br /><br />As for me, I choose not to drink or only minimally- on rare occassions.Just not my thing... I have just never had the taste for it nor liked the feeling of being intoxicated. Fortunately, my parents were not drinkers.<br /><br />However, I see raging and budding alcoholism within extended family members (mine and my husband's). I am watching the drinking habits of my numerous nieces and nephews- as young adults, now, and fear they are heading down the same path as some of their parents.<br /><br />I have taken the opportunity to discuss the family history and nature of addiction/abuse with them on the 'right' occassions during quiet, teachable moments. I hope some of it sinks in. The pain of alcoholism and/or drug addiction is a heavy, life destroying burden for all those close to it. Plain and simple- hell on earth.<br /><br />Thanks for a compelling, relevant, real life "story". Wish it was fiction but KNOW (all too well) that what you speak of is reality, for too many, on a daily basis.911RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11697968739358691531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-73410978933614716162010-07-04T07:50:55.143-04:002010-07-04T07:50:55.143-04:00Hit very close to home...we buried my brother-in l...Hit very close to home...we buried my brother-in law to Cirrhosis- 4 years ago- at the "too young to die" age of 49! Buried another close friend- 3 years ago, at the same age with same diagnosis. <br /><br />We just performed a family sponsored "intervention" for my 55 year old brother-in-law- he is currently in extended Rehab. He was on the same path and we could not see another family member or friend die without doing "something". We had learned from the other two premature deaths. It was pay for Rehab or pay for his imminent funeral. So far, so good for him. He remains in rehab...4 weeks and counting. Has a few more weeks to go. <br /><br />As a ER nurse, I see the damages from alcohol abuse/misuse daily. The revolving door of those seeking Detox (time and time again), young cirrhotic patients arriving for emergency taps for distended, ascitic abdomens and I appreciate the toll the disease takes on them and their loved ones.Sadly, most have nothing AND nobody by the time the end arrives. They have exhausted any and all material and people resources by the end. Anyone who works in the ER has seen true tale unfold (too many times).<br /><br />"Mrs. Smith" is fortunate- she still has loving children and a husband who are supportive. They are willing to still help her.I pray she makes it. Tough disease but it's possible to fight it with the right treatment and support.Demanding Mistress, indeed!<br /><br />As for me, I choose not to drink or only minimally- on rare occassions.Just not my thing... I have just never had the taste for it nor liked the feeling of being intoxicated. Fortunately, my parents were not drinkers.<br /><br />However, I see raging and budding alcoholism within extended family members (mine and my husband's). I am watching the drinking habits of my numerous nieces and nephews- as young adults, now, and fear they are heading down the same path as some of their parents.<br /><br />I have taken the opportunity to discuss the family history and nature of addiction/abuse with them on the 'right' occassions during quiet, teachable moments. I hope some of it sinks in. The pain of alcoholism and/or drug addiction is a heavy, life destroying burden for all those close to it. Plain and simple- hell on earth.<br /><br />Thanks for a compelling, relevant, real life "story". Wish it was fiction but KNOW (all too well) that what you speak of is reality, for too many, on a daily basis.911RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11697968739358691531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-80777027221353810452010-07-03T16:09:33.222-04:002010-07-03T16:09:33.222-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.SeaSprayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07906503090688697222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-36095701008635160332010-07-03T15:07:17.047-04:002010-07-03T15:07:17.047-04:00Too familiar.
Too painful.Too familiar.<br /><br />Too painful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-73728453585941594682010-07-03T11:02:42.134-04:002010-07-03T11:02:42.134-04:00Thank you.
Signed, in recovery for a few 24 hours...Thank you.<br /><br />Signed, in recovery for a few 24 hours with two beautiful children and a husband.<br /><br />If I don't put my recovery first in my life, I will have no family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-61795634769539714252010-07-03T10:55:52.511-04:002010-07-03T10:55:52.511-04:00This one hits close to home. I come from a long li...This one hits close to home. I come from a long line of alcoholics. My father, grandfather (on the other side even), many uncles, aunts,and cousins.<br /><br />I have seen the effects of alcohol in many points of its cycle. I can remember as a young child walking home with my grandpa trying to keep him outta the ditch. I can remember waiting for hours for my dad to return home from paying bills one weekend to find that he had drunk over 300 dolllars. Money that had been collected by church members to help my grandmother with her bills which didn't get paid and groceries were never bought. It all started with just one drink that day. As a young adult I watched a friend collapse into my arms and fall apart because she had made choices she just wouldn't have made sober. As a nurse I have seen what it does to the body. I had a pt that looked about 12 months pregnant her belly was so big from ascites. I thought she had peed all over herself till I saw the cathater. Her legs were weeping that much. It was all directly traced back to alcohol.<br /><br />This is why when people ask me to go to bars with them or just have one drink with them I politely decline. <br />Sorry for the long comment but this one certainly hit VERY close to home.littlepretendnursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04539775958117056534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-31589611892812883032010-07-02T19:04:46.265-04:002010-07-02T19:04:46.265-04:00My ex-husband was (and may still be) an alcoholic;...My ex-husband was (and may still be) an alcoholic; it was what ended our marriage. He'd try to stop drinking, be sober for a month or two, and then declare that he could "handle it" and start again with a beer at dinner. That would turn into two beers, then three, and before long we were back in that awful cycle. When he was drunk he was irrational and verbally abusive; one of the hardest things about it was that he rarely remembered the things he said and did under the influence. It took six years, but I finally got myself and my daughter out of the situation.<br /><br />I guess I finally realized that I couldn't help him or change him -- that he had to want to do it himself. Since he wouldn't own up to being alcoholic, it was clear to me that it wasn't going to happen.<br /><br />Alcohol is such a terrible, dangerous drug. I feel so awful for that family, Dr. Jim. I hope the woman can give it up for good, and I hope the kids will also get help in dealing with what they've gone through as they grew up with her. <br /><br />Thanks for another wonderfully told story. I'm glad you were there to help them.<br />-WrenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-869627843259639972010-07-02T17:38:08.353-04:002010-07-02T17:38:08.353-04:001975 - A kind doctor said, "If your brother d...1975 - A kind doctor said, "If your brother does not stop drinking he will die." My father said, "Well he doesn't drink any more than the rest of us." It is a family disease. Thanks for letting that family know they all need help, love and a kind and loving God to help them through.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-51339923969969844372010-07-02T14:38:32.969-04:002010-07-02T14:38:32.969-04:00My bio Dad died in his 30's from alcoholism. I...My bio Dad died in his 30's from alcoholism. I was 9, and still feel the relief of that presence removed from my life.(Sad and blunt as that sounds). But the horror he produced while living, unfortunately lingers in distant memories.soulful sepulcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12271584927611299868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-4454481127677949232010-07-02T14:15:52.320-04:002010-07-02T14:15:52.320-04:00Alcohol is a demanding Mistress.Alcohol is a demanding Mistress.Have Myelin?https://www.blogger.com/profile/05704037582961814202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-29982639166443672992010-07-02T13:46:12.384-04:002010-07-02T13:46:12.384-04:00Such a sad story, very well told. It is sad that s...Such a sad story, very well told. It is sad that she had been clean for 6 years and then returned to drinking. Wish all the best for this family. Sometimes I wonder how I would cope having such an emotionally charged job as yours.Calhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17204635978443190089noreply@blogger.com