Hi There,
Just thinking about your friend's offer to take you shopping several days later. Of course that must really be a different hurt; one they themselves can understand.

There are several places you can order over the internet (Walgreens often for me) that deliver orders free over $25.00 and my delivery arrives in only a few days. Quicker than relying on unreliable friends. Right???


Gerry

In 2012 I finally admitted to my GP that I was so depressed from fighting chronic pain for over 20 years, cluster headaches for 20, coronary ischaemia for 6 and multiple other physical and mental health issues that I was on the verge of ending it.
He sent me to a counsellor who helped keep me going - somewhat - until 8 May 2013. At 8am on that day I was told I had diabetes. 2 hours later I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Devastated, I called my counsellor for support and he told me he wasn't equipped to offer that level of support. Months of trust and treatment went down the drain.
The next call I made changed everything. It was to my daughter to tell her my test results but she had the most wonderful news of her own - she was expecting, and I had a reason to fight on.
Yesterday (8th) I was taken out for the first time in months to my Granddaughter's first birthday party!
No matter how bad things get, something great may be just around the corne

Wow Dave....you are the epitome of making lemonade out of lemons! Way to look on the bright side. You are an inspiration to me. Thanks.

Pooh - I could have written this. I suffered catastrophic injuries in an MVA. I hide my pain, as much as possible. If my husband notices a wince, he tells me the pain is my fault because I don't do anything. OMG!!!! Couldn't be the spinal cord damage, twisted hips, torn to shred shoulders, etc..., It's bad enough to be in chronic pain - but to be BLAMED for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never been a complainer or a slacker. I worked my butt off to beat my devastating prognosis and regain what function I've got. I make dinner, do stuff for our child, etc..., etc... all in horrendous pain.

My PT is always telling me I'm amazing and she doesn't know how I do it. My husband tells me I'm lazy and self-indulgent. This, from a man who treats hangnail removal like it was arm amputation, without anesthesia.

So I just shut my mouth, fake a smile and soldier on. It's lonely inside our little pain cocoons, isn't it?

Congratulations on being a grandpa.
I agree with you, the way to keep going is to look beyond our suffering. We have to find external reasons to keep up the fight. There are a lot of great things happening out there. As bunged up as I am, I know that there are people who need me.

Thanks for your kind words, I signed on here not for sympathy, but to reach others and learn/exchange. I cannot talk to family, and have no trust in Counsellors. As stated, one abandoned me at my darkest hour and another triggered anxiety attacks I had been successfully supressing for years just to prove they were still there.
If anyone wants to bounce anything off me - even just moan - feel free.

You have like so many of us here on NT the right spirit. We all try so hard to get on with our daily lives and go about our days trying so hard to lessen the burden on our loved ones. Sometimes I think we try so hard they forget what got us here in the first place, we didn't consciously choose to be this way, it is something that has happened to us and if we could, we would immediately turn back the hands of time and change whatever action it was we took at the time that eventually lead to us becoming a victim to chronic pain.

To have the wonderful news of a baby joining your family is surely a sign life can go on, I'm sure that baby will bring you many moments of pure joy. Stay strong, I can empathise with you in so many ways, I've suffered chronic pain for well over 30 years, I'm fed up with it to my eye teeth, I'm over the side looks and rolled eyes from family members who should know better. Big hug to you

Are you still going to have the injection/procedure done on Wed., Dec. 17th. You have been in extra special thoughts and prayers.

Gerry

It sounded like your world was collapsing; and there is always something around the corner.
FYI; I was diagnosed with rectal cancer Sept., 2012. Since I was already in the hospital; Had surgery the day after diagnosis. As often said/written "One Day at a Time"!!!!


Gerry

Hi Gerry, yes I'm in hospital, had the procedures done this afternoon and they decided I needed to stay overnight. I am completely numb from the groin, pelvis to the waist and my legs don't hold to the ground well, giving way unexpectedly. Fingers crossed this will be successful. Thanks for asking