Encouraging Self Management
(Written by me, the founder of PainTrain) That’s easier said than done. When I first had my accident in 2007 and literally landed in chronic pain, the last thing I expected to [...]
April 1st, 2017
1:25 pm
December 3rd, 2011
1:31 am
Who says I can’t travel?
I know I might be clutching at straws again but at the very least 360 cities is some great distraction and very light in capacity cost. And it's great planning for next time I have some serious pain relief (like a nerve block). I'll be off like a rocket! Ok, maybe not a rocket but compared to the usual pace it'll feel like it.
November 29th, 2011
2:24 am
Depressed? You have to be, you just have to!
I remember friends, family, practitioners asking me how I was... "how am I?", I didn't know who I was let alone how I was!!!!!!!! I couldn't cross the street, had to turn spell check on my computer, couldn't speak from the piercing sound of my own voice bouncing in my own ears, couldn't go out, couldn't coordinate myself, I thought everyone who drove was going to kill themselves I was so disorientated all the time, and I couldn't choose between three apples if you asked me to! I slept like a dead person, had no energy, I took a huge dive into the deepest of caves. Actually to sum it up folks, I was depressed... yes, on the anti depressants. That was enough for me to see I didn't need that sort of medication. There had to be another way and I found it.
November 28th, 2011
10:57 pm
Express yourself
I often don't feel like talking or explaining the same boring chronic pain story over and over. And I'm thinking there may be a few people out there who feel the same. So, here's some artwork for you folks. Feel free to use it to order caps, t shirts, mugs, honestly, do whatever you want with it, just don't take my name off or manipulate the artwork. Oh, and pop me a message of thanks. Perhaps even come back with some images and I'll create a pain gallery!!!
November 26th, 2011
5:12 am
Why a flower?
Chronic pain is a waste of life’s precious time, its a huge hold up. But if you have to deal with it then you have to find a way to cope through the awful journey and survive it. Before my precious implant (Professor Teddy I love you!!), I couldn’t move much without pain, everything hurt and it hurt all the time. And yet, my gorgeous friends and family kept telling me ‘but you look so good for someone who’s in pain all day!’ (Uum… thanks??).
November 24th, 2011
4:29 am
Pain as an Art Form
Mr. Collen said the main goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness about the problem of chronic pain. However, he said he hopes one day to find a sponsor to take the exhibit on tour. “People don’t believe what they can’t see,” Mr. Collen said. “But they see a piece of art an individual created about their pain and everything changes.”
November 24th, 2011
12:59 am
My clock
When your signals don't function properly you have to come up with new systems to get through the day. This is one I found very useful, it goes something like this: Don't forget to wee!
November 23rd, 2011
7:18 am
Art and distraction
My creativity has been one of my main coping mechanisms through my chronic pain life. It's the place I go to feel free, release the steam, express my pain, and to get distracted to the point of pain! But it's worth it every time. There isn't a lot I can achieve with my capacity so one drawing, one painting over months, one post on my blog... anything, it's all worth it.
November 21st, 2011
9:23 am
Pain loops, syndromes and an over protective brain
How many definitions for pain signals are out there? It doesn't stop and I have to be really honest here, it all sounds like hogwash for a person who was unstoppable and prior to her injury had the stamina of a bull (as a friend once described me).
November 20th, 2011
3:06 am
Help? Yes please
This shouldn't take too long to grasp but I understand it may take a little while to actually put it into motion... Not used to having help hey? Well I wasn't either, never needed any. But once I realised I could get more out of my day by learning "Yes please", it got easier to say it. In fact I ask for help now. I even leave things on the floor if its a bad day (just push it aside with my foot, it'll be dealt with later) because I realise it means more capacity to do other things and LESS PAIN. Of course this only applies if you have help...