Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I was just writing about things I miss in the other thread, like traveling w/o worrying about my pills, and I remembered something that made me laugh. Is there something about your CP, a memory of something that makes YOU laugh? We all know CP is the worst, and we are in in the same boat, or close enough, right? So I can't be the ONLY person who has done something silly or had something happen b/c of chronic pain and its side effects. Or maybe, like me, you're a victim of circumstance.
I went to NYC on business, then had several days to myself to see shows. It was only my 3rd trip there and while now I go every year or more and KNOW the area, on THAT trip I was pretty green.
My friend and I were headed to a show and all of a sudden we noticed some streetlights out. Then we got to pick up our tickets and they were out of electricity. People were quiet and lining the streets- listening to car radios. No one knew what had happened. It was August and hot as hell, and I just wanted some AC! So as soon as we got to my hotel we learned it was a blackout. I was relieved as we were all thinking it was the next 9/11. The Mayor's voice was piped through the hotel (don't ask how w/o electricity!) and he said to not panic and it would be a short time, perhaps 4 hours, to fix the Times Square area.
My friend went home to Jersey and I could've gone with her but I was sure the estimate was correct and I'd be fine in 4 hours. SO stupid of me! I ended up with no light at all when the sun set, and realized that it was medication time. But my meds were...in the electric safe!
I called down and they sent these 2 guys up with a crowbar and I watched as they banged on the safe that my laptop was in, and suddenly it occurred to me that they had electricity in the office! It was an emergency generator and THEY had told me about it as they struggled with the safe. The crowbar-not working. I LMAO, and they thought I was nuts, and then I said, "Just carry it to the office, plug it in and put the combo in!" "OHHHHH!" they're both hitting themselves as they groaned. The safe was RUINED, and looked like it belonged in the Museum of VERY Modern Art. But they got my meds for me and my laptop, and I watched a movie till the battery died. The hotel was w/o power for over 24 hours, while other hotels got power back in a few. But that memory still makes me LOL. We don't always go to the simplest explanations, but things do get done! ;)
I went to NYC on business, then had several days to myself to see shows. It was only my 3rd trip there and while now I go every year or more and KNOW the area, on THAT trip I was pretty green.
My friend and I were headed to a show and all of a sudden we noticed some streetlights out. Then we got to pick up our tickets and they were out of electricity. People were quiet and lining the streets- listening to car radios. No one knew what had happened. It was August and hot as hell, and I just wanted some AC! So as soon as we got to my hotel we learned it was a blackout. I was relieved as we were all thinking it was the next 9/11. The Mayor's voice was piped through the hotel (don't ask how w/o electricity!) and he said to not panic and it would be a short time, perhaps 4 hours, to fix the Times Square area.
My friend went home to Jersey and I could've gone with her but I was sure the estimate was correct and I'd be fine in 4 hours. SO stupid of me! I ended up with no light at all when the sun set, and realized that it was medication time. But my meds were...in the electric safe!
I called down and they sent these 2 guys up with a crowbar and I watched as they banged on the safe that my laptop was in, and suddenly it occurred to me that they had electricity in the office! It was an emergency generator and THEY had told me about it as they struggled with the safe. The crowbar-not working. I LMAO, and they thought I was nuts, and then I said, "Just carry it to the office, plug it in and put the combo in!" "OHHHHH!" they're both hitting themselves as they groaned. The safe was RUINED, and looked like it belonged in the Museum of VERY Modern Art. But they got my meds for me and my laptop, and I watched a movie till the battery died. The hotel was w/o power for over 24 hours, while other hotels got power back in a few. But that memory still makes me LOL. We don't always go to the simplest explanations, but things do get done! ;)
When I got too sick to continue walking the the store, he ran to get one of those childrens shopping carts that has the bench for the kids to sit on and made me finish while he pused me around.
He was 12~
on one of my first visits to therapy they put me in a harness from the ceiling and had me walk on a treadmill. my therapist insisted that i was walking "funny" is this screwed up contraption so she brought a full sized mirror over so that i could see how i was treading as i bounced up and down from the roof. i laughed so hard that they scraped the entire endeavor. the whole thing felt silly and then when i got to see myself like that...
all i could think about was that episode of seinfeld where george has the "summer of george" (eating cheese in a chair with a refrigerator in it) and elaine works with a woman (molly shannon from SNL, i think, who doesn't swing her arms when she walks and at the end of the episode, both george and the lady are in physical therapy.. george's muscles have atrophied from severe lack of movement due to the "summer of george" and they're trying to teach the woman to swing her arms....
all i could say was, "summer of george!" they probably thought i was crazy.
and i am,
-jen
I have a feeling this happens more often then not.
Just look at how many people here have removed their cast.
While in my neck brace after fusion the fates were out to test me.
My girls & some company were sitting in the LR with me in my recliner.
We were swapping funny stories when I started laughing so hard I started crying making these gasping noises, you know when you laugh hard enough to make you cry, not recommended so soon after fusion.
Anyway my dog who is part shepard/part husky, comes charging thinking something is wrong, Jumps top side of the recliner with all her weight tipping me upside down. Here I lay upside down in the recliner not moving in my neck brace still laughing like a loon.
My girls yelling don't move mom, don't move. Hello like I could. They tipped me back to the upright position, scared to death & I'M still laughing. Poor dog took off & hid with all the screaming.
I could not sit still & do nothing as pretty much required after my fusion. I started to load the washer one day.
Well my laundry room is off the garage with a door. i turn at the same time my daughter comes barreling in almost knocking me over, actually she did knock me over. When I told my surgeon he asked what I was doing in the laundry room? I just sat there starting at him, DUH
He said you were not doing laundry were you? I'm like well no at the same time my husband is saying YES. Idiot.
Then with cabin fever I run to the store with my daughter, newer store I'm not used to. I'm trying to rush not wanting to get lectured by hubby & I come to a sudden stop in front of a Frito Lay rack, my daughter as usual is not looking where she is going but this time has the cart. Runs right in to me & sends me flying into the Frito lay display.
Needless to say I was sore after that one. I had to tell my surgeon. He put that exact wording my medical chart.
"Ran into with cart by daughter & sent flying into Frito lay display"
Surgeons are out to protect themselves, let me tell you.
After a few minor incidents it was decided I would or could not follow post op instructions. I was packed up & carted out to the country to stay a couple weeks with my BF. Where she insisted I use the whirl pool & for some reason the jets were facing all the way up sending water all over the entire bathroom.
Looked like a small flood. All I could think is this one is not my fault dang it.
I swore I'd follow the rules after that. I did try. Its hard to put a very active hyper person on restriction.
It was strange, it was like I was being tested during that recovery & I failed. Even when I tried to stay out of trouble it seem to lurk around the corner testing me.
Still I never removed any cast.
Sammy
I have learned now, well somewhat.
I sit staring at something that needs to be done, willing it to move by itself. Of course that has never happened, I wish.
I swear if my family could they would lock me in room at times.
Staying out in the country with nothing to do was bad enough. Although I do admit by then I was so sore I stayed in bed crying for days lecturing myself on what an idiot I am.
I do try to behave now, I really do.
Sammy
Blessings to you all, Sammy