The upside of tragedy.
This is a story about Jane, but it is also a story about me.
Jane had done everything right. She loved the feeling of freedom that all cyclists know and cherish. Every ride was a great ride, whether enjoying the warm sun on her face as she rolled along Beach Rd, feeling the wind rush past her descending the roads of the Dandenong Ranges or simply making her way to the job she loved. She kept herself safe on the roads. Jane would thank considerate drivers, say hello to other cyclists she passed and obeyed the simple road rules that some cyclists consider as just suggestions.
She had always gradually increased her training, aware that with age she had to train smart and look after her body. She would do her mobility exercises and conditioning routine. She regularly maintained her bike to the envy of her riding friends.
The driver claimed he didn’t see her.
Jane no longer rides. It causes her too much discomfort. Many well-meaning clinicians have asked ‘Where is your pain?’. Jane no longer tells the truth, as no clinicians knows how to react to such a powerful answer – ‘everywhere’.
We worked on her strength and range of motion. We structured a graduated cycling program. We integrated the strategies the psychologist has suggested. We had regular input from her surgeon. Jane has worked hard. She didn’t give up. She taught me about resilience, self-efficacy and grit as she managed the constant flux between optimism and pessimism.
Jane was a great patient and yet our plan failed. Jane no longer rides her bicycle.
As the managing Physiotherapist, where can I find solace in this situation?
My training tells me failure is not an option. It asks if there is another treatment strategy I haven’t considered. It asks if I could have executed my plan better? I end up wondering if I should refer her on to someone else with new ideas and more energy?
I ask you, at what point do Jane and I give up? At what point do Jane and I accept this is the end of our road? At what point do I acknowledge Jane has started a new chapter in her life, one that doesn’t include cycling? How can I learn from this?
Thinking about tragedy has helped. The idea that someone can be good, but still fail provides some understanding. Tragedy acknowledges that I did the best job I could have done, and failure could still be the result. Tragedy recognises that Jane did all she could do to recover and yet she may still fail.
Tragedy reminds us that sometimes despite both patient and Physio doing their best they still lose. Physio doesn’t explain this situation, tragedy does.
Join us at our next Tinto session on Tues 18th August 2020 when we discuss Storytelling in Physio with Kit Wisdom from Wise Physiotherapy
To register, visit our Facebook page here.