My Pain Doctor Abandoned Me, But I'm Not Going Away Quietly

By CindyLee Calaluca, Guest Columnist

Recently I was terminated by my pain management physician without notice and with no plan for continued care. Why? I complained to the physician that I did not appreciate getting no call back when I repeatedly contacted his practice — over an 8-day period — to report that my chronic pain now had a severe acute component to it.

The acute problem is caused by a severe deep vein thrombosis, extending from the groin to the toes in my left leg – the result of a surgical wound from a toe amputation tearing open from severe swelling. Additionally, an old pressure ulcer had abscessed. The acute pain I am experiencing is because of an overlap with my poorly controlled chronic pain, thanks to the CDC guideline for prescribing opioid medication.

All I can do now, because of the pain, is lay in bed and force myself to sleep to cope with the pain. I am totally incapacitated and unable to do daily activities independently. I am 70 years old, a widow, and my only living relative is a 69-year-old brother who lives 2,000 miles from me.

The physician responded to me inappropriately. He told me he gets 3,000 phone calls a day and saw no reason to respond me, because there was nothing he was going to do about my pain. Furthermore, he had an arrogant demeanor and feels he isn't required to call me. I get an appointment once a month with him and that's where his responsibility for my care ends, he said.

Naturally, that opened the door wide open to abandonment and neglect of a patient. His practice has no after-hour or weekend coverage beyond an answering service.

Before he walked out on me, he insulted my career experience, called me uneducated, and said I didn't know what I was talking about regarding health care or laws.

It is a shame that in his superiority complex, he forgot, if he ever knew, my career or educational background. You see, I am an adult and geriatric nurse practitioner who holds a doctorate in nursing practice with 55 years of clinical experience, along with 20 years of simultaneous healthcare administration. That physician is about to find out how "uneducated, stupid and wrong" I actually am.

That's the story behind my being abandoned and put in my place for complaining. I tried to be nice and have an adult conversation with this man. What a shame his child showed up!

I completely understand the problems created when patients arbitrarily lose their providers without adequate and proper notice. I live in a community of less than 500 people. The nearest pain management practice that uses oral medication is 45 miles away. The next one is two and a half hours away. Then there's University of Alabama Medical Center, which is six hours away. Right, I'll just pop into the pain center tomorrow. Like that's happening.

I have had it with all the buck passing by politicians, law enforcement agents, and the CDC making doctors too afraid to practice pain management correctly. Putting a sign in the lobby stating that under no circumstance does the practice treat pain is not correct medical intervention. In fact, since pain is a symptom of illness and that the body is imperiled, it is turning a blind eye to abandonment.

I am no longer going to be a good patient and not respect myself. I refuse to play the game anymore. Since I am dying, I am not going quietly into the night. I am going to advocate and do so loudly, visibly and boldly. I will advocate for patients one last time.

CindyLee Calaluca lives in Alabama. Pain News Network invites other readers to share their stories with us. Send them to editor@painnewsnetwork.org.