Patient Testimonials: Theresa S.

Although I was skeptical about the effectiveness of pain programs, I was open to new things.  I was trying to keep an open mind when I first came to UBC.  As time went by I saw that I was picking myself up, and I felt more energized.  I wanted to see for myself if UBC worked so I gave it a chance. 

I’ve been employed continuously since I was fifteen, so being off work was quite devastating.  After my injury I was depressed so I slept a lot.  I used to just wake up, eat, watch TV, take a nap, eat, watch TV, and go to bed.  A few days after my pain evaluation at UBC, I received the letter in the mail that said, “You’ve been recommended for the pain program.”  And I thought to myself, “No!”  When I got the letter to come to UBC I thought it would ruin my life.

When I first came to UBC, I was taking a lot of medication.  Then Dr. Sinclair said to me, “Let’s try to get you off those meds.”  I thought to myself, “Are you joking, Dr. Sinclair!  I’m going to be in more pain!”  But I had an open mind and tried it.  Dr. Sinclair treated me like a person, and he was someone I could talk to without being analyzed.  He understood me.  As it turned out, I was in pain after stopping the meds, but I used meditation and relaxation techniques, biofeedback and body awareness, and I learned to stand and sit in ways that relieve the pressure and stress on my body.  For example, I had a slumped posture when I entered the program, and I hadn’t even realized it.  I thought, “Wow, this program is really working!”  Now I perform my house chores in a way that doesn’t increase my pain.  I have to listen to my body; it’s mine to take care of.

Physical therapy was hard for me, although when I was young I’d walk ten miles a day.  Carol [one of UBC’s physical therapists] was great at explaining techniques.  Even when Carol herself had had hip arthroscopy, she didn’t show any pain behaviors.  She was definitely attentive to the people in her care.  She, and Lara [PT], too, were always eager to help. Besides being in the gym, I also enjoyed pool therapy.  Being weightless in water meant that I wasn’t afraid to move, unlike my fear of re-injury on land.  Summer [PTA] gave good feedback in the pool, and she was always full of encouragement.  It was beneficial for me to hear “you’re doing a great job.”  When I began the program, my blood pressure was around 190/100.  Now it’s down to 140/74 on most days and 120/70 on good days.

Ryan Guppy [one of UBC’s vocational rehabilitation counselors] is such a great person.  Every day he showed that he cared about my progress.  He’s so informative and resourceful.  If he didn’t have an answer to a question, he’d research the matter and get back to me.  Ryan taught me that the public libraries offer free classes on many different topics.  Who knew?  What a great service to the community!  Ryan made me feel like a person, not a case number.  We’re not case numbers here at UBC.  They call us by our names. 

When my UBC graduation day came, I didn’t want to leave!  After having been gone from UBC for a few weeks I realized that the education, physical therapy, and socializing are good for the body and soul.  Before my experience I didn’t understand how people could be depressed.  I am more than happy to return to UBC’s gym for daily work-outs.  And whenever I have questions, the clinicians are still available to answer my questions.

My goal is to work out at UBC’s gym 3-5 days per week, at 2-3 hours per session (e.g. Eagle weight machines and the elliptical machine).  The days I work out I feel fantastic.  My work-outs make me feel better than anything I can imagine.  I feel refreshed and energized and have a brighter outlook on my life.  I can’t say that my body will ever be pain-free, but exercise decreases the pain, without a doubt. 

At UBC I learned to manage my pain through mind-over-matter techniques and with the help of ice and hot packs and exercise.  I made a point of trying all the techniques I learned at UBC, and now I’m a believer.  I have the power to push the pain away.  If a person really wants it, she can have a new life.  I’ve come a long way, and I’ve decided to quit smoking:  I’m down to a half pack of cigarettes from two packs per day.  Chewing smoking-cessation gum helps, too. 

A few months ago I would say, “I hate my life.”  But now I say, “Today is a beautiful day.”  And, next autumn I’m enrolling in school!  Coming to UBC was a great opportunity.  I never thought there would be people out there to care about me.  UBC has taken me out of my rut.  It’s a great program for anybody.