Sympathy

He has severe cramping abdominal pain, which is causing him to retch and vomit up bile. He lies in the foetal position on the bed in casualty, sweating profusely and moaning about his pain, which he describes as “11/10”. He has had this pain before, and has been investigated by the best, but no cause has been found. He insists that the Maxalon won’t help his nausea, and the Buscapan won’t ease his cramps. He wants something stronger.

We give him drugs, run a drip and put him in a bed. He keeps moaning and complaining, expecting sympathy.

The nurse has had children, and I’m having cramps of my own.

Today, sympathy is not forthcoming.