Patient testimonial: Christine T.

UBC Client Enthuses about the Benefits of Treatment

"On May 23, 2005, after a member of a cleaning crew dragged a wet mop across the floor, unsuspecting Christine slipped and fell, injuring her right knee. On January 6, 2006 she had knee surgery, after which she took anti-inflammatory medication and participated in three hours of weekly physical therapy. When L&I felt that the case should be close, physical therapy was suspended and Christine returned to her retail job at Walgreen’s. In a matter of weeks, Christine’s doctor concurred with her that she hadn’t recuperated enough to work full-time. Subsequently, she entered the UBC Pain Management program last October. What follows is the transcript of Christine’s interview, conducted November 13-29, 2006."

Describe yourself before and after UBC:

"Before I came to UBC, I was sitting, elevating, and icing my knee because it hurt so much. I felt like I shouldn’t be in existence. For instance, I couldn’t work in my garden (all that bending hurt my back). I’d work twenty minutes on my hands and knees pulling carrots and clearing the beans, and I’d be wrecked physically for two days. UBC taught me pacing, which allows me to do more. By pacing myself, I extend more time during the day. In other words, I get more done by working, resting, and working some more.

Because I was raised in the country, gardening is important to me. Each year I plant a 15’ x 70’ garden in my yard. I plant on a two week rotation so that the carrots, beets, and beans can be easily canned. This year, however, I planted only for the table. We’ve eaten the last of the canned vegetables from the past two years. There will be no bean casserole for Thanksgiving this year. Since the injury, I haven’t been able to weed or pick the vegetables – these activities require that I stoop and bend. Also, I haven’t been able to climb the ladder to pluck apples from our many apple trees. This year, the apples have fallen and are rotting on the ground. It’s just as well, as I am not able to stand long enough to make my usual lot of pies, roughly a dozen per year. I’ve made only one apple pie since I hurt my knee.

UBC removed the word “can’t” from my vocabulary. I can do anything I choose; it’s just that sometimes I simply don’t want to perform a task, or I am altogether unable."

Describe your UBC experience:

"During the treatment phase, the schedule was four-weeks, at forty hours per week. But now I’ve transitioned into the extension program, which is two-weeks long, twenty hours per week. I do two hours of PT and two hours of OT daily. The therapists are really flexible in terms of what they have us do. For example, I needed to work on my standing tolerance, as well as my relaxation techniques. So, UBC provided me with a small key rack which I sanded, stained, and varnish, all while standing and releasing the tension in my shoulders (where I tend to hold much of my stress).

UBC has motivated me in many ways. Specifically, the classes have been fantastic: We have the opportunity to ask so many questions. The instructors don’t mind being interrupted, and they have expertise. Also, they engage the students well. Regarding the PT/OT therapists, they know how to push clients and keep them going, without nagging. They’re extremely supportive. In particular, they teach clients to transition from focusing on the pain to focusing on pain management. Hurt doesn’t have to limit your life.

I had two goals upon entering the program. First off, I came in with a cane. I was out of work for three weeks and limping. A friend suggested that I use a cane, and it helped. From mid-May through October I did use it. By the end of my first full week of UBC’s treatment program, the cane went back were it came from: under the house. The cane gave me stability, but I don’t need it anymore. My second goal was to go back to Walgreen’s. I appreciated my employer’s flexibility."

What is UBC doing well?

"UBC helps clients with their focus by teaching clients that if they focus on their pain, that’s what they get. UBC helps clients apply what they’re learning in the classes. Therapists are fantastic. They tune into the individual and help individuals work through problems, if the person wants help, that is. The main things a client needs in order to succeed at UBC is a positive attitude. If clients don’t come in with a positive focus, they won’t succeed. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. If you don’t maintain a positive attitude or can’t find the good in something, what’s the point of existing?"

Recommendations for UBC:

"Provide a clinic in south Seattle, near Burien. Also, it would be nice if those of us in the extension phase of treatment had the benefit of a couple of classes. I found the classes during my treatment program extremely helpful. I miss the classes now that I’m not in them."

Final words?

"Keep up the good work, UBC. Keep looking after the people who are so down on themselves that they proper motivation. To future UBC clients: if you’re not positive, you won’t succeed. It’s that simple. At UBC you’ll have the opportunity to shift your focus (e.g. from hurting to walking without noticeable pain, from feeling negative to having a positive outlook). The sun’s out there, you just need to find it."