2016 has not been the kindest to me in regard to my physical pain. I started the year with a severe cluster flare (several conditions flaring severely simultaneously). I spent the first two and a half months with all or some of my conditions continuously flaring at some level. I finally caught a break a few weeks ago when my Psoriatic Arthritis went into remission, and my other conditions settled into what I consider average pain levels.
For three glorious weeks, I enjoyed living with a pain level that allowed me to do more than usual. My medicinal plan and getting plenty of rest assisted in my being able to take short walks. This is in addition to going grocery shopping and running errands and is something that I haven’t been able to do for 6 years!!!! For two weeks, I have been taking my dog for 5-10 minute walks once, twice, and sometimes three times a day!
Knowing that my physical state could change without notice, I was careful not to fall into the delusion that this would be something I could do all the time. Instead, I kept the attitude of being thankful and rejoicing for each day that I was able to do so. I also reminded myself daily to not allow my bubble of joy to burst when I had a day or long-term spell that prohibited my ability to walk.
Thankfully I prepared myself because last Sunday, I awoke to intense nerve pain between my ankle and heel in my left foot and a sprained thumb. Don’t ask me how I sprained my thumb in my sleep because I have no idea. Anyways, I probably should have stayed off my foot that day, but being the stubborn gal I am, I took my morning walk. I went slower than usual as I had to be careful where I placed pressure on my foot. Later that afternoon, I was struck with intense pain from my sciatic nerve and nerve pain in my right foot as well. As you may have guessed, going for a walk wasn’t an option come Monday morning.
In the past, this setback would have devastated me. However, nowadays, I just roll with it. This setback may only last for a few days, or depending on all my other conditions, it may take weeks, months, or years until I can resume my daily walks. Either way, I will continue to be grateful for whatever I am able to do each day. If I spent each day waiting for wonderful days, I would never accomplish anything because I would be too focused on what I couldn’t do and miserable. Instead of focusing on what I can’t do, I try to focus on what I can do or see if I could do the same thing by taking a different approach.
Focusing on my losses makes me depressed and stressed, which only exasperates my condition. I prefer viewing each day as a new opportunity to live my life the best that I can. Every day is a challenge, and I play to win! Are you struggling to find the silver lining in your cloud today? Stop dreaming about what you used to do and focus on what you can do. And most importantly, NEVER compare your new life to your old life!!!! The old me would have laughed at what I consider WINS today.
A good attitude won’t take away your pain but will make your life and its setbacks easier to deal with.
Wishing you a day filled with many reasons to smile and gentle hugs,
The Disabled Diva
I really needed to read this I have MS and I find myself getting really excited when I have two good days in a row. Then it seems my body takes three steps back. I too medicate with marijuana. I use CBD spray it has no THC it helps me with the horrible leg spasms I used to have. The only perscibed medicine I’m on is a med that is supposed to control the lesion in my brain. So basically I need to take meds to control my symptoms but all I take now is the CBD spray. No side effects. I live in California thank God and I have my CBD delivered much easier for me than packing my walker and going to pick it up.