Posted by Jim Crandall on November 18, 1998 at 08:18:00:
In Reply to: Hope posted by Jackie M. on November 18, 1998 at 01:52:52:
Well said.
I am starting to come out of a two-week Prednisone induced haze. I am not certain this cycle has been disrupted--as the steroids wear off my pain is increasing. This cycle comes at the end of two years of intense shadow--constant pain that I cope with sometimes better than others. I realize that I have "gone chronic." Last week I couldn't think clearly enough to even address the question of when I would go back to work; I saw no progression through my condition.
My expectation is that when this full-blown cycle ends I will return to the shadow state of pretty bad constant pain.
Hope has resurfaced, though. I have found comfort in the notion that I simply must be more deliberate about taking care of myself. I need to pare down my life, I need to learn to say no. If I am well-rested I can deal better with pain.
I attribute a great portion of my current mustering of strength to this community. I read every day--I learn, I cry, I laugh, I realize that I am not alone--in this there is hope. I honestly think that lives are being saved by this message board.
Thank you all.
Peace and no pain,
Jim