Chronic Pain Lifestyle

A Quick summary of what I'm doing to get better

1. Accept that my life has changed, and that it's my responsibility to make the most of what I am.
2. I believe in God, and pray for help. I also thank God for a shot at a new and different life.
3. Build a team of medical supporters who know me, know what I want and take their advice.
4. Good days and bad days just happen.
5. Look at the big problem, break it into it's smaller component problems then solve for these smaller problems. The big problem then starts to fix itself.
6. Do something positive and different every day--even if it's tiny. Remember any plan attempted today is better than a great plan scheduled for tomorrow.
7. Stop feeling sorry for myself, and look at how my life has changed all of those lives around me.

I'm no saint, I do the best I can and I screw-up more often than I'm successful. All I can do is my best.

"It Could always be worse..."

     More people than I can count have said this to me. I hate hearing it. Of course it could be worse, I could have a cold in addition to...FYI, a cold and chronic pain is worse! I'm sure it's happened to you, too. A sneeze feels like and explosion!

     Truth be told, it can be worse.

     Recently a member of my family suffered through, and will suffer with breast cancer.  Without violating confidences, I can tell you that her situation couldn't have been worse .  She is young, with a husband and small children. The way in which this disease tore through the fabric of her life, and her family's is truly horrible.

     When I complain about unrelenting pain; that my feet hurt all the time, my legs and back always hurt, I can't sit, blah, blah, I hope I remember always to pray for them first. It could be worse.

"I can help you..."

     How many times have doctors, Pt's, acupuncturists, chiropractors, message therapists and their ilk said to you, "I can help you..." ?   Deep down I think that most of them believe they can help, and that they have the best intentions. Hell, go so far as to say they have almost to a man (or woman), helped me in some degree or another.  But when I hear these words I naively think that they mean they will "fix" me.

     When I'm honest with myself, I admit that sometimes the best help I got was friendship, adult conversation and 50 minutes of paid for sympathy.  Kind of like going to the barbershop, climbing into the chair, but leaving without having got my haircut.  All men know that a Saturday morning at the barber is one of the few remaining male bonding rituals. The haircut isn't even that important.  What's important is the conversation, Outdoor Life magazine, the paper, and now, Sports Center on the tube.  Ladies, I'll let you in on a secret: men sometimes hang-out at the barbershop after they've gotten their haircut. Girls, be honest, what's with this nail thing?

     So back on topic: it is not such a bad deal taking trips to physical therapy because it fills a void, like going to the barber.  But don't kid yourself, often these "helpers" don't help at all, except to fill a void of loneliness.  But I'm struggling to reign in my cynicism.

     I'm not talking about doctors so much. My experience has been pretty good, except for the horrific outcome of my surgeries, and the further suggestion of my surgeon with a huge Manhattan reputation, who inflicted me with multiple stab wounds, that more surgery would, make that could, ",,,help me."  I mean this guys ego was so big he couldn't let go. So, I let him go.

    My neurologist at that time, a truly helpful soul, sent me to several other surgeons, and to my current pain management specialist.  All of whom help me.

     First, they're honest and will tell me what I don't want to hear. Second, my team only deals with patients who have the same condition I have--I don't get much in the way of chimp head-scratching from my doctors. All they see are patients just like me.

      Gotta, hop.  Time to take a walk:  2 miles, and I know it that will help me. Bless you all.