Life's A Pain

Chapter 1

"Hello Kaitlyn, how have you been since you have been here last? It has been a month right?" Doctor Cameron questioned while walking into the room clipboard in hand and a kind smile on his face. 

Kaitlyn returned the smile with a hesitant one of her own, giving an affirmative nod to the second question asked.

"I've been eh" she responded with a little half shrug.

 "There have been good days and not so good days, but that's my life." A humorless chuckle escaped past her lips while she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

 "I do feel that my pain has been more stable lately though, the flares haven't been as severe, and I only had five-ish migraines since I have been here even if they lasted more than a day or two."

"She was able to go out with her friends a decent amount too when she wasn't in a flare," the other occupant in the room piped up from where she was observing the proceedings so far.

With eyes lighting up at the news the doctor quickly wrote down what was being discussed, as things haven't been easy for Kaitlyn these past four years. Any news of improvement was a reason to celebrate. Living with constant chronic pain is something most would never wish on their worst enemies, let alone an innocent 17 year old girl.

The updates continue coming from the mother daughter pair with Dr. Cameron asking for clarification at the appropriate times until the doctor is thoroughly caught up. With the updates finished the doctor performs the routine medical exam, which includes looking in Kaitlyn's eyes, ears, nose, and throat, along with the testing of her reflexes and listening to her breathing and heart.

Doctor Cameron when finished with the exam pronounced "Everything is okay with the exam, which is to be expected. From what you said earlier with your updates, I think that a follow up in a month will be okay so we can talk about the treatment option we have been discussing these past few visits. With the minimal success from the nerve blocks you received two months ago I do believe that this is the best way to go from here. But I do have something that I wanted to mention to you. I recently learned about a local support group for teens and young adults who have chronic pain and I feel that it would be very beneficial if you went. You will be able to meet others who understand what you are going through. It is just a suggestion, but I think you will enjoy it."

Kaitlyn had a deep contemplative and almost offended look on her face. She did not think she needed therapy, and Dr. Cameron correctly picked up on her thoughts. 

"It is not therapy Kaitlyn, but a chance for you to meet others who also suffer from chronic pain. It is always good to have a support system." 

This made sense to Kaitlyn. It would be nice to have people who truly understand what I am going through, as sometimes my friends don't truly get it, she thought to herself.

"When you go to check out they will have these papers I am printing explaining the treatment more in depth. The information on the support group will also be up there waiting for you. We can talk more about it next time. It is great to see you again, Kaitlyn, Mrs. Quinn."

"If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times. Call me Lilian or Lily, we have been over this" Mrs. Quinn lightly chastised as they left the room to go check out. Doctor Cameron just chuckled in response, following the pair out as if this same conversation didn't happen after every appointment.

With the appointment completed, Kaitlyn was shipped right back to school to attend her last two classes. To say that she was thrilled to go back would be considered the overstatement of the year. This was not a new argument either. Kaitlyn never wanted to go back to school after a doctor's appointment ,especially with only a few classes left in the day, yet her mom would stick firm to her belief that she should be in school as it doesn't matter how little time is left in the day.

"We have been over this Kaitlyn, you can't be missing more school than necessary. I know you have a 504 plan that gives you an extension or even allows late work, but that still is no excuse to miss school just because you will feel awkward leaving and coming back to school. I am positive others do it all the time."

 "And remember what I said?," her mom continued. 

"If you want to hang out with Lacey you have to attend and have almost all of your homework done. You know the rules. I know you worked on a decent amount in the waiting room and I am proud of you for taking that initiative, but you still need to go to school. I am only making you go because I love you and want you to succeed in life like I know you can if you put in the effort."

"I know mom," replied Kaitlyn with a sigh. "Just so you know, I find this completely unfair and I am only going because I am forced against my will. And also I wanna go out with my friends. Just don't expect me to be happy and not complain about going" was replied with a fake haughty tone and nose in the air.

Following this remark it was silent in the car for about five seconds before both mother and daughter burst out laughing. 

Once the laughter died down Kaitlyn told her mom "I have been thinking about what Dr. Cameron said and I do want to at least try the support group thing. It may be nice to meet people my own who can truly understand what I am going through. I know Lacey, Blaire, and Ellie try to understand, but there are things that they just don't seem to get."

Mrs. Quinn was ecstatic that her daughter brought up wanting to go to the support group herself, as she thought it was a wonderful idea. "I'll sign you up when I get home after dropping you off," she replied as she came to a red light. The atmosphere in the car slightly tensed as the building drew near.