National Pain Awareness Day

In honor of National Pain Awareness Day, I thought I'd share one of their publications with you (you can also find my story on the front page)

Pain Community News

I am in Santa Ana, California speaking tonight at this event with the Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope...I'm really looking forward to it!

Today, I am thankful for so much and an amazing week-celebrating my grandma's life, having a triple date with inspiring people and sharing time with friend and family.

Love,
Rachel

Great Conference!

I just returned from an amazing conference with the American Pain Foundation in Minneapolis, MN. It was great to see old friends and meet new people. The people that make up this organization are dedicated and do wonderful things for people that live with pain-pain of all types- from disease, from accidents, etc. Many of them volunteer endless hours to fighting for the over 75 million Americans that suffer from chronic pain! (That does not account for those who experience acute pain every year from injury or illness.)

If you are someone living with pain or know someone who is, I highly recommend visiting painfoundation.org!

Now, time to rest up and recover for another non-stop week!

Today, I am grateful for amazing organizations, wonderful opportunities, friends, family and God!

Rach

Time for a Quote!

Why did the achievers overcome problems while thousands
are overwhelmed by theirs? They refused to hold on to the
common excuses for failure. They turned their stumbling
blocks into stepping stones. They realized that they
couldn't determine every circumstance in life but they
could determine their choice of attitude towards every
circumstance.
-- John Maxwell

In other news...the article I mentioned last week ended up not getting published after all. Oh well, that's how media stuff works!

Also, I didn't mention in my last post that the nerve conduction test also ruled out the possibility of me having carpal tunnel. I still wish I knew why I have so much pain and some numbness-although part of me is used to always being such a medical mystery...

Today, I am grateful for lunch with a friend, fun stuff planned with friends and family the next few days, spring break is only a couple weeks away (hard to believe!), friends, family, husband and God.

Rachel

Another Small Medical Mystery

So, about the time we were in NY, an upper right tooth started hurting when I was eating or flossing. I just ignored it and then it continued until now. Yesterday morning I dragged myself out of bed and trucked out to the dentist's office (thankfully, I know him well ;))

Well, the x-ray showed no crack or cavity and upon closer observation, not much was seen. Then, I had a bit of the tooth filed to help with putting pressure on it when I bite...hopefully that will help? Another idea was that I'm grinding my teeth and don't know it-like when I'm sleeping. Hmm.

Another pain mystery. Oh so fun ;). And yes, my hand is still numb? My Dr. is working on the case!

Today, I am grateful for a wonderful Saturday and a relaxing Sunday ahead, for friends, family, God.

Rach

September is...

September is Pain Awareness Month

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Gynecological Cancer Month

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month

(I'm sure there are more-let me know if you can think of the ones I missed!)

Today-I'm grateful for life, school, learning, God, travel, health, family and friends.

R

Using Art To Explain Pain

In an article on healthcentral.com, Karen Lee Richards discusses how Mark Collen dealt with pain and conveyed it to his doctor-through art and poetry. I think that if that is something that can help you deal, then go for it. I know art and writing have helped me to work through a lot of feelings!

Mark Collen's website, where others share their artwork about pain, can be found at: www.painexhibit.com/

Today, I am grateful for a wonderful dinner with loved ones last night, a morning with mom, friends, family and God.

Rach

Pain

That's the thing about chronic pain...you just never know when it will come back to visit or to stay. I was doing fairly well the past few months-with being on the nerve meds, then without, with the usual pain meds and then with a lesser dose.

This past week thought things seem to be awry again. My shoulders are stiff as if I had pulled a manual plow through the fields and my old-as-time friend, Mr. Back Pain persists. Yet here's the thing: I hate taking more pain meds-I'm highly sensitive to them, amongst other reasons-and so I rarely take more than my usual low dose.

Thus, starts the oh-so-fun merry go round again.

Today, I am grateful for: 1 more class!!!, a nice lunch out, a relaxing afternoon, friends, family and God.

Peace to all...

Rachel

Chronic Pain

The 10 Secrets of Thriving Chronic Pain Patients

by Stacy Stone

from http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/109/16315/10-pain/?ic=6009

Monday, November 12, 2007

1. Do what you love -- a lot.If you don't have something, get something. Try new things, you never know, you might find a hidden talent. Take a class, volunteer. Like children? Find a school and read to the kids. Like animals? Volunteer at the Humane Society. Find something that makes you happy and makes you feel useful and wanted. It helps to take the focus off of yourself.

2. Make sure you keep those you love close. Relationships are hard work, and even more so with a chronic illness. Try to put yourself in your family, friends, and significant other's shoes. They too are effected by your illness. They feel guilty when they can't help when you are feeling awful. It is important when you do feel good to include those around you.You don't have to stop dreaming when you become ill, you just may need to tweak those dreams a little. Don't stop making plans for the future.

4. Continue researching and asking questions about your illness. New technology and science is advancing everyday. The more knowledgeable you are, the more secure you will feel with your doctors, your treatments, and ultimately, your prognosis. Knowledge is empowering, and doing the best you can to educate yourself will help you feel more secure with your chronic prognosis.

5. Slow down when you need to. Ever notice how people say, "I'm so busy!!!"? Well, what's so great about that?? Whatever happened to stopping to smell the roses? Respecting your body's limitations and boundaries is a big part of managing your condition. There is nothing wrong with taking a step backward in order to go forward again

6. Sometimes the "pity party" is a comforting place to be. Just don't call it your home.

7. Remember what you have gone through and help others. Very few things are as therapeutic as helping other people get through rough times in their lives. Being able to actually use what you have learned to help others is immensely satisfying.

8. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. I think you will be very surprised at the number of people who are there for you. Remember, it is not a sign of weakness

9. It is okay to take medication when you need it. Do you think people with diabetes feel guilty when they take their insulin?

10. Chronic pain is real. It is not "all in your head," and it's not just going to "go away." You deserve to be heard and to be taken seriously!

In talking to people who thrive with chronic illness and/or pain, I have found that there is a major difference between resignation and acceptance. Remember, my normal may not be your normal. Normal is different for every person.Negative energy creates negative results. With positivity, it is possible to thrive with a chronic illness.

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Today, I am thankful for: having a fun celebratory night last night for many reasons, having another one tonight and for family, friends, hope and God.

Rach

Healing Massage 101

I had some other ideas for The Blog today but after having my monthly massage, I knew that's what I had to write about.

Massage: is a treatment and practice of manipulation of the soft body tissues with physical, functional, i.e. mechanical, medical/therapeutic, and in some cases emotional purposes and goals.

Being a person who lives with pain on a daily basis (and have been for years), something besides pain medicine that I have found to dramatically help my pain is massage. Inversely, it has allowed me to cut my pain medicine in half.

I think it takes finding the right massage therapist that you feel comfortable with and understands what your needs are. Some therapists are scared of working with cancer patients but thankfully mine worked past this and found it very rewarding.

My massage therapist, after learning from each other, now works largely with cancer patients. It's amazing the connections we make in our lives with others that lead to great things!

There are SO many types of massage too-full body, head and neck, clothed and unclothed, light touch, deep tissue, etc. That's something else to consider...what works for one person might not for another, of course.

And the disclaimer: check with your Dr. before doing any of this ;).

What are some of your favorite healing presences in your life?

Today I am grateful for: massage and having most of my project done

Love,
Rachel