In the beginning all I could focus on was why I was in pain. Once I had found out why, getting fixed was the next thing. Due to the poor state of our state health system at the time I had to wait till Kim and I could do that ourselves, with the help of family, friends, friends of family and friends and the generosity of two amazing surgeons. Unfortunately there was permanent nerve damage done and I guess I am still a little bitter about that.
Now 10 years later I find myself doing A little Tai Chi and some Mindfulness (properly this time) part of this is learning to accept certain things.
At the start the fact I was in constant pain was unacceptable now I am learning to accept that a certain amount of pain is going to be part of my life however as I come to terms with that and learn to manage it in a holistic way with Meds,Electronic Stimulation, Diet, Exercise, and mindfulness.
I find even some professionals think this method is unacceptable and voice their opinion without being asked for it. [Please remember I am writing this to bring light to what many pain sufferers face daily, I am not angry or asking for sympathy. I just want awareness.] I discovered this when a medical expert overheard a private conversation I was having with a friend and proceeded to tell me everything I was doing wrong and how wrong my Gp and my Pain Specialist was. Talk about overstepping ethical boundaries. Then these people wonder why you turn down offers to have coffee.
We keep getting told to accept that we are in pain, but until the medical profession stop terrifying everyone with taking our meds (the only cost effective form of pain relief and even that doesn’t help half the time) none of us are going to be relaxed enough to try these other programs.
