Chronic Pain & Life
  • Blog
  • About
  • Topics
  • Read Me Please
  • Contact
  • Reflective Images
  • Facebook

Chronic Pain & Life

​tips, tools, and strategies
to living life with chronic pain

click here TO GO TO THE FACEBOOK PAGE

To work or not to work...when you're hurting....

7/14/2016

2 Comments

 
Now that pain and/or illness is a part of your life...are you still working? Have you had to stop and/or decrease your work load because of your pain/illness? Nosy questions I know and I'm not passing judgement either way...but I am wondering...if you're still working...how are you managing? If you're not working...how are you managing that? 

To live with pain is one thing but to manage a job and pain? well...in my opinion that takes a whole other level of strength. But you know what? So does living knowing you aren't able to work anymore. BOTH!! situations, in my opinion, take a lot of strength and courage to keep living every day without giving up and giving in. 

To have to gather yourself up and get yourself off to work every day when you're hurting...that is power! that is courage! To have only your own four walls to see each day and you still manage to occupy your days keeping yourself as busy as you're able...well that's power too! and it's also courage! Do you believe that? What are your thoughts? 
When I had to stop working, I felt like I had failed...failed my family, failed my child, failed myself and I felt like I failed my life. But now? Being able to stop working and to have the time to work and focus on myself? well that's what saved me...I can admit that now. I know I would not be where I am today if I had to keep working. 

To live with pain and to keep working or to have pain and need to stop working...well that's a conversation we had on the Facebook page and here are your responses...thank you for sharing your thoughts! 
  • ​What’s a shame is that even though my body hurts, it doesn't show it on the outside, so many don't believe that there is pain.
  • I work part time and people are always saying you are so lucky ..if only they could understand...I work when most people would be phoning in sick .. It makes it so hard when people just don't get it
  • I feel like I need to work....in the traditional sense, but I don't know how to even begin. Also being in the throws of a big life change....it seems so far away
  • I'm blessed that I can work remotely from home most days, especially on bad days. I can cover myself in heat packs and rest while getting my work done.
  • I was explaining to my hubby why I was so exhausted today from just going out to eat and a little grocery shopping. My spine is currently inflamed really badly and my left hip is wearing out swollen and painful. As if arthritis, spinal stenosis, and fibromyalgia weren't enough and worn out rotator cuffs in both shoulders. He wasn't tired like me. I explained it is like trying to walk in thick mud up to my thighs. I have to force my muscles to move my legs. It is exhausting as well as painful.
  • I went back to school at 52. I climbed steps very slowly if I couldn't get to the elevator. I bought a rolling book bag/computer case, I let my professors know I was not well. They were all very kind. I graduated, passed my state boards, and became a realtor and real estate broker. I continued to educate myself and became certified in several specialized segments of the business. At 61, after being rear ended by a careless driver who never even slowed down, my spinal injuries stopped me from being able to drive or climb stairs so I retired. I just pushed through the pain every day. All my clients were understanding about my weird way of climbing stairs (side ways). It was not easy but I did it.

I asked you earlier how you were managing...whether you're still working or you had to stop...both require some coping skills....SO! how are you managing? 

If you're still working....
  • Do you bring along some coping skills to work with you? (pillows for support, a change of shoes when needed, layers of clothing, soothing music, calming pictures...just a few examples)
  • Do you have people at work you can turn to when you need support? 
  • Do your employers understand and support your needs? 
  • Do you have a work station or environment that is supportive to your needs and abilities? (There are some ergonomic work stations now...are they available to you at your work?)
  • How do you prepare yourself for work? How do you soothe and care for yourself and your needs when you come home? 
  • How do you talk to yourself when you're feeling your pain? 

If you're not working...
  • What do you do during your days to help you heal...to soothe and nurture your needs? 
  • What hobbies, activities and interests do you have and involve yourself with?
  • Do you have people you can turn to when you need support?
  • How do you prepare yourself for your days? How do you soothe and care for yourself when you've done too much? 
  • How do you talk to yourself when you're feeling your pain? 
​​
Whether you're working or not...what can you do for you to help you through your days? 

take good care of you please
2 Comments
Rhonda Beaver
7/14/2016 02:38:04 pm

I do not work. It is difficult, but I try to stay as active as possible. I have good days and bad. Today is a bad day and I am having problems with just holding my head up (literally) I make myself something to eat and it is hard to clean up. I was in a bad car accident and I am recuperating from this. Prior to the accident, I was put on permanent disability for shoulder issues, fibromyalgia, and ptsd. My issues are physical and mental. It is hard to say which came first. Recently, I fractured my ankle and this is debilitating. Today I need to rest, but my mind says no!. I look around and see things I should be doing. I cannot, but does this stop me? I get up and move. I want to walk, run, and fly. I have to tell myself to take it easy and tomorrow is another day; perhaps it will be a day without pain. If I want that, I need to listen to that inner voice that says, "rest"

Reply
Tamara
7/15/2016 12:00:07 am

Today was a good day, waking up, wiggling my toes, still alive to feed my cat, still alive to push on, convince myself to get exercising once again. Hot the shower, relaxed with a warm morning tea and some nourishng breakfast with that to persue my daily chores of continual life. Today, I found myself paying ot forward by helping a frantic bling and deaf person find their way home, she got confused and lost, that must have been a scary feeling! I continued to go run errands with my lady friend, even though i was next to broke, just to get out of the house. Found myself doing much more snoop-shopping than i ever thought possible and had a great time even though i was tired out when done. I had a cool drink with my friend, unloaded the car and sat for awhile outside. Soon after, i found myself entertaining children by volunteering myself in soccer, it was good to be needed and move around again! Tired out completely, i went home after an hour or so of that and finished off my day by loving my companion cat, feeding the little guy and doing some laundry as I ate my dinner and relaxed. I'd say that summed up a day in the life and kept busy becaue I know it helps me keep myself mobile. I choose to make the best of this disability and move onward and upward and fight this with every part of my strength and every part my soul and energy i can muster up! I'm one of the strong ones and I hope some can be encouraged by this and also be encourages to become more active, eventually more strong and face their own disabilities!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Tammy...

    is living life with chronic pain...doing the best I can with everyday. 

    Categories

    All
    About The Author
    A Lil Haha
    Coping Skills
    Health Wellness
    Im Sick And Tired Of Being Sick And Tired Rant
    Inspirational Quotes
    Inspirational Quotes Part 2
    It's Funny
    Lcp-boot-camp
    Medication Monday
    Odds Ends
    Pain Behaviours
    Spiritual Sunday
    Thought Therapy

    Archives

    August 2020
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.