Hi Summer,

I totally understand your frustrations, fears and confusion as I know everyone else here does too. It really is the nature of this disease. If I hear, "but you look so normal" one more time I could scream. Who decided what normal looks like for pain anyway?

A couple of weeks ago my PT told me a story about someone who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he was told he only had a few months left to live. This person went on to give "the last lecture" to his students. Apparently it was a very well written and delivered lecture, although I have not read it yet. Anyway the media got a hold of this story and interviewed this young man and his wife, together they have 2 young children. The interviewer ask his wife "how do you deal with this, knowing that your husband is going to die and leave you alone to raise your children?"
Her reply has now become my new mantra!

She explained that when ever she thinks about anything that is negative and stressful all she can say to herself is "Not helpful" and that seems to help her get through the moment.

Now when ever I think about anything negative or stressful I simply say to myself "Not Helpful" its amazing it actually works, I'm finding this little mantra is really quite helpful.

MsL