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Introduction to

the Medical History of the Late

Karen Shettler Paddock

I am Bob, Karen’s husband of nearly twenty years (our 20th anniversary was only a few days after her death). I am writing Karen’s history so that others may learn from the things we did right and the things we did wrong during her twenty-four-year-long battle with Chronic Pain. This was a battle she ultimately lost through her suicide when she could no longer take the pain from Intracranial Hypotension, caused by leaking Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).

What follows is mostly her own words that I’ve taken from emails and 9,437 Facebook private messages.

I have removed items that are not relevant to her health and items that would identify who she is corresponding with to protect their identity (many are distraught that they did not know how bad Karen was and they did not help her. As you will see, we had no way to know).

Glossary of Terms in Karen’s Writing

These are not necessarily the accepted medical terms.

• BP = Blood Patch; properly Epidural Blood Patch (EBP).

• ER = In context of medication means Extended Release.

• FB = Face Burn or Facebook, depending on context.

• HP = High Pressure.

• LP = Low Pressure or Lumbar Puncture, depending on the context.

• OP = Opening Pressure.

• RA = Rheumatoid Arthritis.

• FV = Full Volume, as Full Volume Blood Patch.

Contents | Start | End | Previous: Karen’s Posthumous Introduction | Next: Karen’s Journal ~ 1969-2010