To put things into perspective for me
 

I needed to watch this. Though I'm not that bad, still I don't see thoses worse then myself. For that fact I don't know any personally with PN. I'm grateful for the things I can do. I'm sure there are those out there with PN that's in this bad of shape and for you I admire greatly for hanging in there!!! Thank You all.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIn...604&affil=blog

Marty

What I have learned is there will always be someone worse and someone better but it does not take away from your struggles. I too am grateful for every "better" day I have. I used to take life for granted and now I see things in a different light.You deserve a healthy and pain free life.Same with everyone here. Sending thoughts to all

I look in the mirror and I cannot believe that I am 60 friggin years old! I'm told I look much much younger, but when I wake up, my feet burn and feel horrible. Within a few hours the back pain sets in from the arthritis and I begin to realize what my 60 year old body is telling me. We aren't indestructable....our days are numbered. I watched a 5 year old boy playing in the back yard today. So full of joy and fun......ahhhhhh...to only be able to feel like that again.......life is so short....I do cherish my somewhat good days...I really do.

Wisdom is gained from life's experiences ;):wink:.
By the time we know the proper way to go about things, :D:)
we no longer are physically capable to do them. :eek::cool::(

I look real young too as I got carded for a lotto ticket. I always say I look young but my insides and pain level is like 80. I too take pleasure in my "better" days. I think till one faces health issues they don't truly know how lucky they are. Your health is your tool for life. I truly believe people who have had conditions like this or in general health wise have so much compassion and outlooks. Even people who have been through tramatic experiences. Kitt you are right so many people are hit with something. Until I have I never really knew. My gramps is one of those lucky ones. He is 86 and really so active it is unreal to me. I am glad for him but he has no concept of what I go through. Anyhow I am sending thoughts again to all. This forum always makes me feel less alone. On a side note have you guys seen the movie Benjamin Button where he starts old and gets younger. I hope that is with our bodies.

You know the area I've grown the most in with PN and it's pain is my passion for others. Before I had PN and someone would complain of a bad knee or back I would tell them to suck it up it will go away. Wow I'm soooo ashamed that was me.

Yesterday I held a door open for an old guy using a walker. It took him like five minutes just to get through the door. I think he was recovering from a bad stroke. I had tears in my eyes as I watched him fight with everything he had knowing if he doesn't his chances for a recovery were small. It took him a bit as he struggled but he looked at me and said "thank you sure".

The other day an old timer was trying to go to the bathroom but could get it to flow. He said in frustration come on! looking at the line for the urinel and how it was getting long. He seemed so embarresed when I just leaned forward and said to him hey don't worry about it, take your time it's going to happen to all of us some day. Then the tension slipped away and everyone laughed.