I don't mention things much to 'outsiders', I figure we all have something going on, and the seriousness is relative - if the worst thing that happens to your sister is flu Dejibo, then it would seem bad to her. If you have never experienced really bad pain then you can only comment on what you know (and the upper limits of what you know seem bad to you). Does that make sense?

I learned that one after I had brain surgery - and people (wanting to be caring and sympathetic) related their experiences with headaches, memory loss and so on.

I will say this though, some people do get off on 'pity parties'.

If I don't share with my husband, he gets mad with me - but I figure I can't spend my life complaining either. The last thing I want is to be 'defined' by my physical condition.

Lyn