Life with Chronic Pain and Illness: Not Remembering A Time When I Wasn’t In Pain

Life with Chronic Pain and Illness

 

Today’s life with chronic pain and illness post is about something that  people living with chronic pain and illness know all too well: not remembering a time when they weren’t in pain.

 

I don’t know about you, but I truly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in pain. The location and severity may change from minute to minute or day to day, but it’s always there … somewhere.

 

Sadly, pain has become my normal, and it may be yours, as well. Whenever I go to a doctor’s appointment, I am always asked, “Are you having any pain today?”  It almost always makes me chuckle a bit, and I tell them, “Yes, I live with chronic pain, so my pain is always there. Today my pain level is …” And it truly is beyond my understanding to know that some people have pain-free days on a regular basis. I learned long ago that, for me, I am very happy with having a low-pain day. And that is what I wish to others living with chronic pain and illness, too.

 

For many people, being in pain on a daily basis is something they can not begin to imagine. And, I admit, I envy them for that. Some people have even told me that what I’m describing is just not possible. Unfortunately, just because someone can’t see my pain, or yours, that doesn’t make it any less real. It doesn’t magically disappear. It just makes it harder to function, and it can be quite isolating, as well. 

 

I have had caring people ask how I manage to get through each day while living in pain. I do so in a few ways:

• First and foremost, I look to the Lord. I know that He is the reason I get through each moment of every day.
• When pain levels are high, I try to focus on the moment and distracting myself when possible. I have a number of go-to options, such as music, heat or ice, a comforting blanket, or a show/movie I enjoy.
• I remind myself that God has gotten me through similar moments in the past, and I have no reason to doubt that He can, and will, do it again.

 

Just because pain is my normal, that doesn’t make it any easier. I’ve just discovered strategies to keep on keepin’ on. And that’s likely the case for you, as well. I’m so thankful that I know the Lord and for the caring people in my life who are there for me as best as they can be. And I’m very grateful for online communities where I can connect with others who “get it.”

 

How do you cope with the chronic pain? Feel free to share it in the comments.

 

I hope you have a low-pain day. 

 

If you’d like to read more Life with Chronic Pain and Illness posts, click here.