Biography of Author ~~  Chronic Pain & Life 
Developer & Facilitator  of  “Living with Chronic Pain - A Patient's Perspective”

Tammy's 10+ years in human services and developmental services gives her an advanced understanding of behavioural modification programs, teaching and learning tools, and personal support during program implementation. Her real passion, which is exemplified in her professional career, is supporting personal choices, inspiring people to become empowered, and promoting normalization and inclusion within the community. She has developed and used a program intended for individuals living with chronic pain. Tammy speaks about her personal experiences with chronic pain and her treatment goals and outlook, and she attributes her success to the use of her program, “Living with Chronic Pain - A Patient's Perspective”.



Thank you Sheila for writing this! I appreciate all of the encouragement and support you have given me.

Your choice to use medications as a component of your health care is a personal one.  A decision to be made with thought and careful consideration with your doctor. Before taking any medication please educate yourself on the name of the drug, what the drug is, it's intended action (what it's supposed to do for you), the dosage and what the side effects are if any. Education about your medication is a key component to being pro-actively involved in your health care. 

Some medications can become addictive when used over a prolonged period of time. As with any addiction, these types of drugs come with other consequences that need to be considered before you start them. An open line of communication with your doctor is very important. As many pain medications are narcotics, or other controlled substances, their use requires special care, monitoring and recording by a qualified professional as they are already known to be highly addictive. Your doctor may want to complete blood tests to ensure the drug levels remain at a safe level and your body isn't being negatively impacted by taking them. Stopping these medications will require careful monitoring and a slow withdrawal. DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY! It is normally advised that you not mix narcotic medications with alcohol as the effects are intensified.

No amount of money or
success can make you
feel better than the
feeling that you created
something.

~~Colin MacDonald~~


Picture taken in Collingwood, ON

Along with painting abstract art, I also like to create mirrors. This mirror stands almost 7' tall and is encased in stone. It has 7 -  10 x 10 bevelled edge mirrors and took a whopping 40 hours and 9 days to complete. 

While working on the mirror and putting the focus of my minds' energies there, I was able to block out the pain for a little while. Having my favourite music playing kept my mind busy too singing along to the songs. 

Have you ever noticed within your own life, moments where you've been so busy living life or doing what makes you smile, that you can almost forget that your body hurts? Even if for just a little while?

It is in those moments where we can begin to take back control of the impact pain has on our lives. 

                                                                 Do what makes you smile even when you hurt!! 

One of the most common things you may hear from your doctor is that you need to learn new coping skills now that you live with chronic pain. That may be easier said than done for some. I'd like to hear from you about how you are managing and living with your pain.  How we cope will be different from person to person. I hope by sharing our ideas, we might learn a new trick or two.

I'll start the conversation going by sharing one of the many things I do to help control my pain.......

I like to paint abstract art. I find when I'm painting and my music is playing loud, I can almost forget the pain. Getting lost in creating something helps me to block out the pain for awhile. 

Having a  hobby is a good step to learning how to manage our pain. 

Please use the comment box to share your ideas....

With our thoughts we can create. I believe this to my core. I have gone through the negativity and downward spiral to the point where I didn't think I would see the next day. When I kept the negative thoughts in my mind it affected everything in my life. When I began trying to change the way I saw not only my current situation, but also a possibility of a future, it became easier to be positively active in my life. I began to see that there was a life I could have and actually participate in, that was beyond my injury. So no matter what happens, always try to look beyond the negative and see what possibilities may be laying in wait for you. Think Positive!

Be like the single blade of grass. For she too, has been trampled on, mowed down, and hit with such bitterly cold stretches that she had to shut down to survive. Yet still she stands upright with dignity, knowing that she endures, and still she dances with the wind.

~~Sandra Kring~~

Living with chronic pain can make us feel like we're being mowed down and totally trampled. But just like the blade of grass, we can stand again.

Picture taken in Victoria Park, London, ON

Coping skills are things we use to get through our day to day life, the ups and downs with being human. Our actions or re-actions are often affected by our experiences and our emotions.  How we are feeling on any given day, particularly if we're in a negative mood or feeling our pain, can affect how we cope and how we interact with those around us. 

Whether you live with pain or not, life requires coping skills.  With chronic pain, having a skill set that is empowering and encouraging will lessen the impact chronic pain can have on our lives.

Positive coping skills are things we do that are calming, encourage personal growth and improvement. With the use of positive coping skills, we are empowered to take a more positive pro-active approach with our lives.  Our behaviours can be changed, and our goals can be reached

Warning:  this contains emotional language and humour please read with consideration and caution.

Hello, my name is Tammy and I live with chronic pain. In 2003 I experienced a work-place injury. I thought my injury was simple enough that I would be returning to work in no time. I attended various therapy programs including chiropractic, physiotherapy, as well as a work hardening program in the attempt to be able to return to work and keep my job. I experienced another injury in 2005 while on an accommodation return to work program.

While trying to recover from my injuries, as well as during my accommodation, and after my dismissal, my doctor tried many different medications along with additional therapies to help me. I attended a hydrotherapy program, acupuncture and another round of physiotherapy. I have endured many tests, some of which were incredibly painful. I would often hope that the next “new” treatment or test would finally be the key. The key to unlocking and understanding the pain in my body and mind. It was an endless search for something I would never find.