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Monday, September 26, 2011

Question of the Week:
What Could You Do If You Had Less Pain?

Did you know that September is Pain Awareness Month?

I've been so preoccupied with my recent carpal tunnel surgery that I almost missed it.  Luckily September isn't over just yet.  So I am devoting these last five days of the month to posts about different aspects of living a life with chronic pain.

In preparation for these posts, I interviewed Maggie Buckley, a board member of the American Pain Foundation and learned about the brand new In the Face of Pain website.  I'll be writing about this new resource that can help us all learn to be better advocates for ourselves and others living with pain later in the week.  I'll also be sharing some of the thoughts Maggie discussed with me about the current state of pain care today.

She also invited me to check out the "If I Lived in a World with Less Pain, I Could..." Campaign on Facebook which I joined today.  Please consider attending this event on Facebook too.  They are asking us to submit a video, photo or written statement on the American Pain Foundation wall that explains what you would be doing if you lived in a world with less pain.  (Oh, and don't forget to "like" them too.)

Watch this video to get inspired:



I have to admit that the very thought of living with less pain really brings a tear to my eye.  Living with less pain would be an absolute miracle.  I pray one day it really happens for me.  Until it happens, it just makes me sad to think about all the things I have given up or cut back on because I live with chronic pain.

Writing this list was a hard thing to do, but here is just the beginning of what I could do if I lived with less pain:
  • bowl with my husband in bowling leagues again
  • walk my dogs every day
  • exercise more
  • need less help getting things accomplished
  • do a better job of cooking, cleaning and getting things done around the house
  • drive myself to my doctors' appointments and everywhere else I wanted to go
  • enjoy doing arts and crafts project
  • get more things done in my garden and yard
  • go back to work
  • become a foster parent and/or adopt a child
In short, I would have more energy, get more done and have more fun.  And I wouldn't have to say "no, I can't do that" quite so often.

What about you?  What could you do if you lived with less pain?  While I would love for you to share your answer here or over at the OMA&P! Facebook page, I want to encourage you to get involved with the American Pain Foundation campaign by posting your answer to this week's question on their Facebook page.

Best wishes for a week with a little less pain.


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1 comment

Maya said...

Hi Selena,

Thanks for tackling this difficult question. I can definitely understand why it was so emotional to answer; you got me thinking about what I could do with less pain, and I also found the thought to be overwhelming. I think it's important to occasionally touch base with these feelings and recognize our limitations, but remember there is also SO much you're able to do because you have pain. For example, you are able to touch your readers in an eloquent, real, and empathetic way because of your experience with chronic pain. You're doing wonderful things for our community and I'm thankful for your words!

All my best,
Maya (www.lovingwithchronicillness.blogspot.com)