Last Tuesday I entered Mayo Clinic to have a brand new Titanium Reverse Ball and Socket installed in my shoulder. Wednesday afternoon my wife drove me home as I drifted from one opioid-induced dream to another. By Saturday I began weaning myself off the pain medication and grudgingly acknowledged to myself that some pain is good. Today one day after watching the greatest Minnesota Viking win in all of history, I am feeling OK. My shoulder hurts and I can’t really use my arm yet, but tomorrow begins the start of physical therapy and it will begin to get better.

For me, opioids provided a way to manage the pain involved with a transplant. It was administered by a team of specialists who were well aware of the addictive qualities of the prescribed pain relief.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as well counseled. Millions of patients are exploited by an industry that cares more about profits than an oath to “Do no harm”.