Cathy Donohoue
I have been feeling pretty sorry for myself due to back pain. This is no new demon in my world, but an old familiar companion. For about the last 30 years I have been dealing with a non successful back surgery. I had some new tests lately and am trying to find a magic bullet. I want the easy fix that eludes me. Hence, the Pity Party.
While out at the grocery yesterday Tom and I ran into his cousin. You could tell immediately that things weren’t going well for him. He had stitches all around one of his eyes and some pretty spectacular bruising. He went on to tell us, after the usual jokes about his wife mistreating him, that the cancer we all thought was totally beaten had returned in his brain. They did surgery and were able to remove about 70% of the mass and he had just started radiation of what was left. He is having more tests done early this next week to see if it has spread elsewhere.
His attitude is amazing. He was his old joking self. We laughed and kidded one another and did the usual promises about staying in touch.
Talking to a man that is dealing with life/death issues and making jokes about it put a bad back in perspective for me. I need to focus on all of the positives and go from there. I certainly hope and pray that Tom’s cousin has a future to joke about.
Sorry about Tom’s cousin and your back. Hope things start looking up soon…
I have slipped disc backache which the doc says will never go away, and I currently take Vit B daily to help, and it does. Was on a muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory medicine at the start, and am glad I don’t need those strong drugs any more.
Hi Cathy – I had a not-so-brief sojourn with back pain a few years ago – sciatica – and never imagined how debilitating it could be so can now relate 100% to people who suffer. Have you tried cannabis oil. I do know many people who use it – the medicinal stuff – and swear by it. Yes – you are right – it is easy to feel sorry for yourself when other people are dealing with much larger issues, but it does not diminish the fact that you are in pain either. The thing is not to get to the stage where you can think of nothing else. Hope you find something to help soon.
Sorry your surgery did not help. I have issues and have not had surgery yet,
I hope you can find something to bring you some relief.