Tomorrow’s the last day to submit your article for July’s Pain-Blog carnival.
This article was submitted by a reader Margaret and is in the running to win a prize, as are many other articles this month at How to Cope with Pain. See how you can enter to win prizes.
1. I’ve finally been able to afford Tramal. Before that, I was only able to use Ibuprofen for pain relief. I’m allergic to codeine, morphine and derivatives.
2. During this time, my general practitioner taught me the practice of TFT. (This is a treatment I’m not familiar with, but which is described on their website as “psychological acupuncture” – HtCwP) The tapping and breathing helped me to manage and rise above the pain. I have since taught a number of others, and most have reported marked improvement both when used for pain management and for treating panic/anxiety disorders.
3. God has also helped me greatly with dealing with the constant, largely unrelieved pain I suffer. I find that His constant presence and availability has been my rock that I grasp onto when pain spirals out of control. Listening to hymns or meditating on Scripture helps me to rise above the debilitating effects of pain.
4. Distraction has long been another coping technique. I’ve always made toys like teddies and dolls, knitted and crocheted. I’ve developed a way of knitting that I can still manage, despite the fact that my right side rarely cooperates with what my brain is telling it. Combined with my computer and my studies, I find that most times I can distract myself, even when I’m too ill to go out on street ministry, which I love to do.
Yes, there are those in the medical profession who wonder why I’m not only still alive, but functioning and helping others. They were sure I would be relegated to an acute care facility, unable to do more than move my eyes, when they first handed down their prognosis. Some listen when I tell them how God obviously disagreed with their prognoses, but most would prefer to perform yet more tests, which in the past have served to prove that I shouldn’t be able to do what I am.
Okay, some days are total wipeouts, but I learnt that fighting against those days was a waste of energy and time. Instead, I allow the Holy Spirit to flow over and around me, and these days became fewer. God has certainly blessed me, even to the point of giving me my lovely Jeze, who has trained herself to be my service dog.
Thanks, Margaret, for sharing what helps you. – How to Cope with Pain. Grunt Doc is hosting Grand Rounds, a medical blog, this week.
14 responses so far ↓
MELODYANN // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:13 pm
TOO COOL, I AM PROUD OF YA MARG, KEEP THE FAITH, AND MOST OF ALL, KNOW GOD WILL HEAL YOU IN HIS TIME. GBU LOTS, MELODYANN
sherry // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:14 pm
God is so gracious and a help in time of need, for all who put God first and formost in thier lives as Marg has done.
phil.4.7 And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds thru Jesus Christ. Phil.413, I can Do all things THRU CHRIST who strengthens me
God Bless you my sister. You are a treasure indeed.
Jodi B // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I liked Margaret’s ideas on How To Cope With Pain because most of them dealt with non-medicine related ways to cope.
Betty // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Thank you Margaret for sharing with us how to cope. I’ll have to stop having my little whinge now and then. My problems are minor.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful Amazing Grace with us and your faith. Most painkillers make me sick so I pray instead. He is our healer after all. Faith in Jesus is 100 times more powerful than positive thinking.
Elaine // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Great article! Thank you, Margaret. You and your faith are an inspiration to us all. As Betty said, I shan’t be even considering my” inconveniences” as pain any longer, either. God is good, and always meets us at our point of need, whatever that may be. May you and Jeze be a team for a long time to come.
Love and blessings.
Kerry // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Margaret you are a true inspiration to me and to many others. I think you are incredible to deal with pain through many other avenues rather than just reaching for the first bottle of painkillers you can find. You truly are a servant of God……blessing many by your Street Ministry. Thankyou for sharing your story. It will no doubt bless all who take the time to read it. x
Zukes // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:17 pm
It is so refreshing to see someone who can accept that YES there is pain & NO pills wont always relieve it…in fact they barely do…however its wonderful that God gave man the tools with which to manufacture ways of relieving pain…in both medication & mentally.
As you say God IS always there for the times we cannot cope & with complete faith that he always will be we manage to cope God Bless ***hugz***
Joseph P // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Margaret,
We have been corresponding for awhile now. I think that it is important that folks hear from people like you and me the everyday folks that fight these battles and walk the road. Neither of us are famous but we both have strong beliefs and share our lives, you with your cancer, me with my Alzheimers and Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia. You know that I am pulling for your an Jeze. Thank you for being there for me and being my friend.
God Bless and Hold You Tight
Joe
Carol // Jul 24, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I really enjoyed your article Margaret. I’ve seen you over the years battle bravely on, not seeking attention or sympathy. You have always been more concerned with the needs of others, and how best to encourage them. You don’t dwell on what you can’t do, but rather what you can do, and that you do, with a joyful heart. I’m very proud of all you’ve achieved in life, and I know you’ve been a true blessing in mine.
Thank you,
Carol
Neil // Jul 30, 2008 at 1:00 am
This is true inspiration to all of us who suffer from chronic pain. It can be dealt with, but it takes time, determination, and an effective plan for management of ongoing pain. Great job Margaret!
Raelene // Aug 1, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Hi Margaret,
I find your article on how to cope with pain very useful. Thankyou. Your strong faith, ability to be able to do physical and mental exercises and create distractions while in pain that most of us cannot ever imagine instead of having the attitude of “I’ll depend completely on medication to help me” and reaching for the pill bottle is truly inspiring.
I cannot imagine the type of pain that you are experiencing – however I believe that all would benefit from the way you manage your pain regardless of the type of pain they have. Your attitude towards life, your selflessness and especially your faith is inspiration for all of those who know you and for those who hear your story.
Thankyou and God Bless xxxx
Pamela // Aug 12, 2008 at 12:42 am
Margaret is such a testimony to the power of our Mighty God in her life. She goes about giving of herself to others putting aside any thoughts for her own pain & doing God’s work. It leaves me questioning why I am not doing more when I see someone with her afflictions going out & accomplishing so very, very much in every 24 hour period. I know her pain is immense, but she is “God-focused” & not “self focused” & that is the key. I take my hat off to you Margaret & join you in praise to our Wonderful Lord who is the true Healer & source of our strength.
God bless you always – you are a true inspiration. xxx
Elaine // Aug 12, 2008 at 12:46 am
I really do think that you are to be admired. Thank you for sharing your experiences and faith.
Jennie // Aug 12, 2008 at 1:31 am
Dear Margaret,
What an inspiring story you have, and to accompany it with such a beautiful hymn ! I know that God can do all things and now everytime I hear Amazing Grace I will think of you and offer a prayer for you and all of those people who live with pain.
May God continue to hold you in the palm of His hand XX
Leave a Comment