Hey Doc
 

I've always liked your posts over on the PN board. It's nice to see you. And like your idea about your card with things not to say. I'm not sure if I would actually acquire and use them, but it's fun to think about.

Let's make a list of our favorites! I started a thread here: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...976#post839976

Rrae, I hear ya. I have that kinda attitude right at home. I love when I hear my husband telling someone (over the phone) "well her back's still bothering her a bit". I finally asked him - " please do not refer to this as my back. His reply was, "well what do I say".
First of all, I told him, many people have backaches. " This ain't no backache. This just happens to be from my waist down to my toes. Spine pain (rods & screws), as well as nerve pain; like nerves sending misfiring signals to one another'. I think that was a bit difficult for him to say, so now he does at least say "well her spine is still bothering her". I give up !!! I guess he's trying. (Not in that sense) ha!

My brain HAS been out to lunch of late!

I found a solution (response to people asking about my pain/condition) that my wife & I have both been using for the past year or two, and it just slipped my mind in previous posts....

Friends, etc.: "How are you?"/"How're you doing?"

Me: "Good days & bad." (or something along those lines).

It works as a social convention, and if people are truly interested/concerned, it doesn't slam the door on them. :)

Doc

My intent was never to sell them or anything. You can get pre-cut business card stock at any office supply store, and most word processing software has business card templates for making them up - many can be found online as free/shareware. I just wanted to come up with some good content (without violating any copyrights) and make it available to anyone who wants to customize & print their own.

The trick (in my mind) is coming up with the most effective and concise content.

Doc

Works everytime
 

Hit print, have a stash, turn useless inquiry into snappy retort.

I didn't mean to imply that you were trying to sell them, Dr. Smith, and even if you were, that would be great! I'm just the kind of person who can't even manage to have things like pens or business cards on me when I go out anywhere, so I thought it would be unlrealistic for me to try carrying these.

I just thought that starting the thread would be fun, and bring out a lot of answers, both highly individual ones and universally applicable ones.

Great answer Mark!
 

That's a perfect thing to say Mark! I am going to an event at my church this Sunday - all women, and a group that I do a praise/prayer ministry for. It will be my first time 'out' in public since my implant. I have put myself on the prayer list many times during this 15 month process, and most are aware of the huge burden of pain I bear on a daily basis. I've received many emails congratulating me now that my pain is "gone" and I dont EVEN want to go into that it is managed at about 50% of my lower body and none of my upper body - you know how that would go! And I do want to rejoice! And offer up praises for this big 50% decrease in pain! I will give a quick 1-2 minute speech about the prayer ministry and I think your saying of "I feel blessed - how about you?" is perfect for that, and for all the other inquiries that are sure to happen. Perfect! I know from living these past 15 years in pain and surgeries that few, very few, have stayed along as friends, and none - not a single one - reached out to me this past winter during my depression when I could barely leave the house. It is tough to see these past two months, due to increased pain meds and the hope SCS has brought, that I have been able to go to social functions during the holidays and my friends are still there, ready to get together and do more things, as long as I can get out and do them. With writing this I can feel the bitterness rising, and the passion to do something about it! I think God is leading me to a new ministry - to go and See and VISIT with shut ins and the elderly. If they can't get out, then by golly I'm going to be the friend that will see them through whatever - not just wait for them to come back! Don't you just love how the Lord leads? Here I am commenting on something positive to say and He leads me to where my passion is: to not leave those who are incapacitated at home alone! Yeah!

Now How About That Eliza
 

You and I are walking the same path, caring for the folks who need it. Visting the unvisited and lonely. Providing a helping hand if possible. Yeah, I feel blessed, and those visits bless all of us.

THRILLED FOR YOU!
Yep,
Mark56:hug:

God works in mysterious ways. How Blessed He is to have those who are His messengers.