Facing the Pain:
An Interrupted Case Study in Physiology
by
Ryan D. Doyle, Matthew J. Heslin, Michael B. Keller, and Philip Stephens
Department of Biology
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
by
Ryan D. Doyle, Matthew J. Heslin, Michael B. Keller, and Philip Stephens
Department of Biology
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Lynn awoke with a smile. It was Sunday, and she could hear the baby giggling as her husband, John, lifted her out of the crib and changed her diaper. She was so glad John was home to help with Laura. He had been away on business, and they lived so far from their parents she could get no relief, as she called it. Lynn heard John’s voice as he carried their daughter downstairs and put her into the high chair. Lynn could imagine the dog scurrying around, licking up the dry cereal that Laura dropped on the floor.
What a treat, thought Lynn, just to stay in bed and let someone else look after Laura. She had spent yesterday just being lazy. She was always tired these days, and John seemed happy to take care of Laura.
There was silence downstairs. Lynn got out of bed, pulled on old sweats and went downstairs to check on her husband and daughter.
“Are you okay, Babe? You don’t look too good,” said John.
“I feel worse,” complained Lynn. “I am dizzy and tired, and I keep getting these blinding headaches.” Lynn reached for the ibuprofen bottle and took a few tablets with some water.
“Do you think that it’s okay to take them on an empty stomach?”
“I’m in pain and desperate,” she said impatiently. “They don’t seem to do any good these days. Maybe some fresh air and exercise will help. I think I’ll take the dog for a jog around the block.”
Lynn realized that she had been short with her husband, and he didn’t deserve that. She smiled, but then grimaced as the right side of her face throbbed with pain.
Their dog Kratos stood by the front door wagging his tail. Lynn slipped the collar over his head and they walked out into the cool, fall morning. John watched his wife as she jogged down the street, but then soon changed her jog to a walk.
John was playing with Laura in the living room when he heard the front door open. Kratos came running into the house.
“I feel like a whale; I couldn’t even make it around the block.” Lynn slumped onto the sofa. “I have never been this fat. This headache isn’t helping, either. I just wish it would go away.”
John knew there was no consoling his wife when she was in this kind of mood, so he said nothing. Lynn went into the kitchen and reappeared with a donut in one hand and coffee in the other.
List Lynn’s physical ailments.
Does Lynn have any psychological problems?
What can John do to help his wife?
With the above signs and symptoms in mind, do you wish to speculate about Lynn’s condition?
Date Posted: September 15, 2009.
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