Billye brought up, and Daniella and others agree, that sometimes we are on some sort of surreal merry-go-round what with the medical issues and problems, dealing with doctors who won't/can't coordinate our TOTAL care. Then us dealing with the side effects: Stress, progression of our condition[s], and the complicating side effects of treatments.

In all honesty I think we all could 'do' with a reading of the Chronic Pain forum here and at other sites/resources. Why? Because we are part of a larger community of pain sufferers, because we might just learn some 'tricks' on how to cope, and because we might just learn where to guide those who care for, or with us to learn how to cope as well.

Having constant, chronic pain, is well just that: A PAIN! Living with those who 'get it' or those who 'don't' is an additional pain as well.

There are no 'formulas' to deal with 'it all' easily. Being ill, with either a chronic, hereditary or acquired disorder requires the same efforts [WORK] to understand and deal as best possible with each problem or problems.

YES! it IS frustrating! It is frightening as well....the unknowns of our varied and often multiple medical issues are beyond scary. But, finding and using the tools...and there are many out there...to deal with these things.

What inspires me to write this, is that I have a friend who has been battling cancer for over 10 years...This person has particpated in more clinical trials for cancer therapies than all of us on this board [in any clinical trials that is].
This person recently fractured her pelvis and also a leg and is wheelchair bound due to that...the bones are more fragile than ours due to all the immune system blockers and other really toxic meds taken over the years...YET..YET, while now knowing they are on borrowed time...is still fighting in a way that embarasses me whenever I even think about my pains...As many here inspire me? This one individual HUMBLES me with the tenacity of mind over matter and the belief that these conditions can be beat!

This isn't to say that our own concerns and complaints aren't valid? They most certainly are! But, it's more like we need to keep them in perspective and use all the resources we have available to keep them just where they belong...IN PERSPECTIVE

As another dear friend who is also seriously ill with a neuro disease is that we must make 'Lemons into Lemonade'! Simply put? We have to!

Thanks for listening - hugs and hope to all - j