Dottie
DX: L4-5 fusion
TX: Work hardening for RTW, strengthening, job simulation,body mechanics
work simplification 4-6 weeks
Dottie, my very first patient of many
hurt her back at work
needs to return to the factory
to keep her family afloat
in her small town with few jobs.
Family comes first she confides
walking the path round the pond
steeling her pain during our first
two hours building her back.
I took her home with me causing
sleepless nights of worry.
Could I help her? Will she improve?
Gradually she taught me to leave it
at the door. No use fretting.
Six weeks later she made it…
hugging me, gifting me a
small white dog like my own.
He still sits on my windowsill
a Dottie badge of honor.
13 thoughts on "Dottie"
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Great poem with a happy ending. We need some of those. Love it that you refer to her working class roots.
thanks – one of my case studies!
Great story, great poem!
thanks!
Enjoy the story of challenge, then resolution. Also really like the small white dog on your windowsill and great last line.
Thank you!
Lovely poem, Linda. I empathize with bringing the work home with you.
Yes, a lot of professions have to leave it at the door to survive!
love:
the title and how you build the two women in this poem.
and
“I took her home with me causing
sleepless nights of worry.” and the question mulled and answered.
This is a precious narration. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Artful, authentic storytelling. Sharp, vivid imagery puts me right there. Thank you for sharing
I love the grace in “Gradually she taught me to leave it/at the door.” Love this artfully told piece.
Good to remember the successes—and to learn that doing is all: the outcome is not in our control.