David Nagel MD

I first developed the chronic pain problem which would eventually disable me in 2004, when I was 19 years old. It took two years of doctor musical chairs and every test known to medicine before I got a diagnosis, at which point it was too late to have any hope of reversing the pain. This book was a beautiful storm of affirmation of what I and countless others have experienced in dealing with the US medical system. It was really helpful to have a doctor affirm that yes, this is how the system is working, this is how we have failed you.

I made a lot of notes, and I am considering give this copy, which all my highlighted sections to one of my doctors.

If you work in the healthcare system you should read this book. If you know anyone with chronic pain you should read this book. If you work for the Social Security Administration you should read this book.

There were a couple of things that annoyed me about the book, one being the terrible irony of Nagel's respect for Mother Teresa, a woman who did NOT believe in alleviating suffering. A woman who purposefully kept facilities extremely basic (as in, no hot water) in her homes and did not differentiate before the dying and those who could get better with adequate medical treatment. She thought suffering brought people closer to god, but herself was always treated in the finest western hospitals.… (mere)

Since my father died two years ago, I have read a number of books dealing with hospice, healthcare management in the U.S.A., chronic pain, end-of-life, etc.

This is an excellent book written by an experienced MD, David Nagel. He covers the failure of our society in managing the chronic pain of patients; it often ignored, often understood. When a loved one is the "main character" instead of someone in a case study, things change.

The thing that sticks with me the most is a quote from the Epilogue: "The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity." (Rollo May, The courage to Create) Wow, right?

Dr. Nagel eventually gives up his practice because he can no longer conform. But don't think him a hero, nor a coward, he was doing what was right to him.

… (mere)