To help everyone understand pain’s impact on one, imagine the day after a hard workout. We are encouraged by “No Pain, No Gain,” which inspires folks to keep going regardless of the pain. The fact that we are sure it will last only a few days keeps us working harder. There is no cure for some of these diseases, so in our case, we have to try as best as we can to learn to live with them.
So that you can get a better idea, a little over ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Status migrainosus, which is a type of migraine that typically causes the episodes to be severe and long-lasting. I also have degenerative disc disease, which is causing my disks to deteriorate. I’ve had two titanium bone fuze in my cervical spine. The surgeon said that there may be another surgery coming on my lumbar. I live with pain every day of my life.
Stress and the ongoing pressure of everyday life can and will emphasize any illness a person may have. It’s why I chose to semi-retire from social media, as I’m sure many of you have noticed. Individuals must understand and be aware of the difficulties faced by those with chronic illnesses. Don’t take it personally if you see us being distant and quiet. We are not rude; we are just enduring.
We get it. Our loved ones worry, and the most common question is, “How are you?” For us, it’s a tricky question to answer. So, to avoid persisting in our whining, we answer, “I’m okay.” Let me end with this: Be patient, be kind, be understanding. Familiarizing yourself with the conditions means the world to us. Do that. If we are silent and sluggish, we are not ignoring you. We are simply attempting to endure.