Along with the neuro questions, Kristine is regularly asked “how bad is your pain, like on a scale of 1-10?”. Y’all know that Kristine is always motivated to give a correct and precise answer, but for one thing she’s stoned out of her mind on morphine, so why would one believe whatever she says 😉 Anyway, I was reminded of this radiolab> http://www.radiolab.org/story/314056-plotting-pain-scale/
which is super interesting, especially the 3rd part wherein the woman assigns “10” to the pain of being dragged by a chain behind a truck, and therefore under-reports her pain. I’ll have to listen again, wouldn’t surprise me if she’s Scandinavian.
Seize Joy 
I know, right? On the one hand, they ask us to call a 10 “the worst pain you’ve ever had or can imagine,” but on the other hand, when a darling spouse–as mine did–informs the nurses of our real pain threshold, then they chastise us for “not staying on top of the pain.”
Also, don’t miss> http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/02/boyfriend-doesnt-have-ebola-probably.html
I wish I had a printer.
@kristine, I wish you had a printer too, that was hilarious! But I wish yo didn’t need a pain scale.
The rate your pain chart always seemed silly to me – but …….
There is a bunch of research that music can help decrease the experience of pain. Have you got her iPod with her favorite meditative (not NIA/ not dancing) music?
I still have my candles and am sending lots of positive healing energy.
Hug you guys
Sheila
Libby Roderick has a CD “A meditation for healing” Is repetitive mantra. Her most well-known song is “How could anyone ever tell you”. Sending lots of healing energy. Thanks for the updates,Dr. Sunshine. Hope the chocolate supply is holding out.
Thinking of you, Kristine & Jonathan, and wishing nothing but the best.
PT — Just let go of those stoic genes from Norway and get the pain meds you need — never let the pain begin to run away. Also, Dr. Sunshine, if the post-op nausea is “remarkable” — just love that strange medical definition — you may want to find out what anesthetic they used. If there are subsequent surgeries that can be helpful to know. Trivial info from the in-house nurse with no formal training — just years of experience. Much love to you — Family nurse on call