I am having so much fun with Sheryl’s monthly chronic blogger linkup that I have decided to join another. Anne’s linkup through her blog RAISIE BAY is weekly with one word. This week’s linkup word is lifted. With that said, I will share the many ways in which I was lifted up last week despite a flare of abdominal pain.
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Needing a pick me up
In my February “A Chronic Voice” linkup, I shared how I suffer from abdominal pain that is the result of a botched hysterectomy. This pain will plague me for the rest of my life. And although I have come to terms with it, the pain it inflicts is never welcome.
With my latest flare in full swing, my physical abilities are limited. With adhesions holding tightly and squeezing my intestines, I have to watch what I eat, be careful not to put pressure on my abdomen, and avoid bending.
If the pain and disruption to my life wasn’t bad enough, my abdomen swells during flares. Now, I am by no means thin. I know I am overweight, but my belly is nowhere near as big as it appears while flaring. When flaring I have to wear shirts that are 2-3 sizes larger to accommodate the swelling. When the flare ends my body returns to its normal size and I look less puffy and fluffy.
All of this takes a toll on a person and not just a physical one. It messes with your head. It’s humiliating to be seen with what often looks like a pregnant belly when you are over 50! I used to hide from the world during these flares, but now I just modify my life and keep moving along.
With that said, my week turned out better than I could have imagined, despite looking and feeling like a stuffed sausage.
Ways I was lifted up
Getting a call from my son saying he would be performing in the area lifted my spirits. He lives out of state and we don’t get to see each other often. Thankfully, my pain level was low enough to allow me to treat lunch at Downtown Disney. He wasn’t feeling well either and as much as I hate seeing either of my kids in any kind of pain, it lifted my spirits to be able to bring him some herbal remedies to help him heal.
Being able to keep my chronic pain from fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis under control with PEMF therapy, herbal remedies, and cannabis lifted me up by not having to suffer from additional pain. Saving myself from reactionary pain is a blessing I give thanks for every day!
My husband gave me a lift to the grocery store where we grabbed a great deal on some wine! I truly love that he doesn’t mind being my personal Lyft driver.
Random messages with nothing but silly memes from a friend lifted my spirits and made me laugh throughout the week. I made sure to make time to share a few laugh out loud memes back!
On Saturday, I lifted off into outer space during our visit to Disneyland. Even though my abdominal pain wouldn’t allow me to walk, my husband and daughter gave me a lift by pushing my wheelchair. We had a fabulous day and got to ride Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy’s Edge for the second time since it opened.
Final thoughts on being lifted up
Living with chronic pain from any of my illnesses or injuries is no walk in the park. There are many pain-filled days and emotionally dark moments. The key for my getting through them and making it alive until my next reprieve is to focus on what’s good in my life, be they little or big.
How does the word “lifted” apply to you right now?
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Hi Cynthia, your post is perfect for my link-up and I do hope you will join in frequently. We are a lovely community. I think a lot of people misunderstand and think they have to use my word, but that’s not a problem, and sometimes we come up with the same words anyway 🙂 Happy to have to you on board, and this is such a lovely post despite your obvious suffering, it’s always nice to find a lift somehow x
Awesome and thanks! I do plan to join as much as I can. I loved reading the other posts lasts night.