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Performance ‘fit for modified duties’

2023-01-24T16:12:33+11:00November 28th, 2012|About, The pain, Workcover|

Did you all hear I'm back at work part time? Much thanks to our flexible home/office setup and Theo's immense help. Regardless, how lucky am I hey? But oops, hang on, I have to correct myself. It's not lucky for me, it's lucky for the WorkSafe Agent. And I must clarify because from their point of view I didn't get myself back to work, it had nothing to do with my research, the practitioners I found, their treatment and great therapies (or my hip pocket!). Nope, nothing to do with nerve blocks and medication, but rather, my high activity levels. Yeeees, I have been a full time artist and I've been caught red-handed!!! Well I'm sick of this crap! And this time, the story isn't going to end with me feeling anxious and swallowing those bits of paper, while the Investigators excuse themselves gutlessly with a letter marked 'Private and Confidential' that they send to the WorkSafe Agent. It's going to end here, on my blog. And I'm even going to have some fun while I'm at it! ...And if you're an investigator wanting to comment, don't bother! Your comments will be deleted. As I said, this time the story ends with me.

Back to life

2023-01-24T16:12:34+11:00October 23rd, 2012|About, Creativity, Living, The pain, Workcover|

...please gear up with me, imagine the drum rolls and the biggest mountain you can imagine with me standing on the tippy top yelling because this IS real, IT'S true, IT'S official: I'M BACK AT WORK!!!!!!!" No, I've not overdosed on my medication and the stress of a chronic pain issue has not damaged me enough to be hallucinating.., I. AM (wiggling heaps but all the same). SITTING. IN. A (very nice ergonomic). CHAIR. TYPING. THIS. POST!!!!

Italian lifestyle, perfecto for Pudendal Neuralgia

2023-02-17T10:32:01+11:00July 9th, 2012|About, Living|

...So with my returned senses came dreams, with senses and dreams came diagnosis, with diagnosis came, finally, appropriate treatment, and with the right treatment came great pain relief and some much deserved and needed increased capacity. I feel I've arrived on a very high mountain but had to crawl all the way up over 5 1/2 years. So, here we are on the mountain, I mean, in Italy, and boy did we pick the right place! Not only did we have a divine holiday but we stumbled on what feels like a miracle treatment for my form of PN and that was part of the Italian lifestyle: bidets and siestas...

To block or not to block…

2023-02-17T10:32:01+11:00July 4th, 2012|About, My treatment|

.... As documented many times with this condition, treatment isn't just about relief, it also provides more detail about the issue and this becomes a guide for the next step. It's like taking mini steps of progress and it really feels fabulous, I feel as though I gain some control, I foresee future options and ultimately, I regain some hope. Without this I'm travelling blindly.... I began to really struggle 12 weeks after the first block and even during that time I had a few flare ups. I wondered if my implant perhaps had interfered with my nerve block as it's known to cause pain if you keep it on whilst the pain is at a low-level (yes, try to figure that one out!!) By the time I realised my nerve block was well and truly wearing off I was at the 14 week mark, and having been very excited with what relief I had, Theo and I booked a holiday to Italy. Thankfully the brilliant Dr Courtney was able to fit me in for another nerve block at the 19 week mark which was exactly two weeks before travel time. Why am I mentioning the holiday? Because I believe a nerve block needs support, it needed me to get out of the pain routine and team it up with as much distraction as possible... I felt my brain would freshen up, have a new shot at life and not have to face my day bed, aids, daily pain routine etc etc. I set off to live a dream in hope distraction would bring a positive change and another step forward...

Expired and fallen through the cracks

2023-01-24T16:11:09+11:00June 27th, 2012|Workcover|

After a few battles regarding my massage treatments, peripheral stimulation implant and finally receiving a letter form my WorkSafe agent stating I would no longer be receiving medical reimbursements/support, I began a hunt for a deserving explanation... But back to my main point, the answer I was seeking. I called the contact the Hon Gordon Rich-Phillips advised and it led to a conversation with my WorkSafe Agent's Injury Management Advisor (IMA) and for once, I seemed to be having an open and honest conversation with a WorkSafe Agent employee. It's hard to say it was honest because this system has taught me not to trust anyone, sadly. It felt like a great relief to be speaking to an educated, intelligent, experienced and capable person... I didn't get invalid and poor excuses or worse still, lies. Every point I made was dealt with and the conversation was about me, my case and my specific issues... ...the grand finale was that the IMA was going to answer why my medical expenses support had ceased?

Now let’s get this straight…

2017-12-12T14:48:53+11:00April 26th, 2012|About, Blog, Living, The pain|

So, you think you can see pain hey? Or rather your understanding is, if you don't see it then it's not there? Please read on because people like you drive me a little batty... "Pain is invisible!!!"... ...I know, I know, it's shocking and many won't believe it, ever, but it's true... Seen me smiling? It hurts. Seen me having coffee with a friend? It hurts. Seen me walking up the street? It hurts. Seen me having a glass of wine? It hurts. Seen my online social activity? It hurts doing that. Heard I went away for the weekend? It hurts... more. Did I email you? It hurt...

Exercising the Brain

2017-12-11T13:02:22+11:00April 11th, 2012|Learn, Personal resources|

...I feel I'm exercising my brain when I read an article that sparks more thought and leads me on a hunt for more and more information and the process all results in gold! It might not necessarily be what I was looking for but a lovely surprise nevertheless... It made me think about another possible cure for my issue (I know, very far-fetched but imagine if my brain could be programmed to make me live/dream all the activities my pudendal nerve won't let me do by night?! Imagine?!). So I went to my favorite, most trusting online resource, no, not Google, Body In Mind...

My family, Theo, Origin of Image and Zephyr

2017-12-11T11:28:17+11:00January 23rd, 2012|About, Creativity, Living, The pain|

There isn't one single reason I can give for 'coping', I think a few things play a role. The biggest of all, I believe is my own brain's chemistry and built in ability, something I don't believe I have control over and was born with (and how greatful I am for this ultimate survival gift!), but coming in second, or even on par, is my husbandly support, Theo. I don't know what I would have done if Theo hadn't understood my pain and my eratic injury and hadn't supported me 200%. Seriously there were days I thought I was crazy...

Welcome and disclaimer

2023-08-05T10:30:05+10:00November 23rd, 2011|

I'm not going to say 'welcome' because there's nothing welcoming about having to search for chronic pain relief. I do hope however that my website will be a great resource and guide for anyone who is dealing with chronic [...]

Art and distraction

2022-09-05T11:26:11+10:00November 23rd, 2011|Creativity, Learn, Living, Manage, My treatment, Personal resources|

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.

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