Pain

[Guest guest]

Hi guys,

Watch out when I start writing--usually means I've had a rough time.

I'm feeling better, the fever finally broke and less pain. My arm

bled a lot last night, but fine today. Anyway, I wrote this and it's

what usually gets me off my rear:

I have the reputation for being rather stubborn. I guess it's a

combination of my Irish and my Norwegian background. Could just be

I'm plain stubborn. Sometimes it's a good thing, and sometimes it's

not, but I'm beginning to think at this stage of life it's going to

be a good thing. This disease I have, Dercum's Disease, (Does it

deserve to be capitalized? Let me think about that one!) has

necessitated five surgeries, and if I become any more ventilated I'll

whistle as I walk.

I've met some doctors who have definitely earned their halos and

wings already, and some others who, in my opinion, had better learn

to appreciate flames. I've met people who are so amazing in how they

deal with their pain and disability that you would think that God had

given them the most wonderful gift. They support others, and give of

themselves tirelessly. So this is where this stubbornness is going

to come in. I'm not going to give in, and I'm not going to give

up!!! Yes, three (count `em, three!!!) exclamation points. This

must be a gift from God, because He wouldn't do anything to hurt

me.

I'm going to keep having fun, keep living, keep worshiping, keep

doing the things I like doing. I'm not going to dig myself into a

hole and pull the hole in after myself. I'm going to try to help

other people know that pain is just an attitude with an attitude.

Sure, sometimes it's the body's way of saying you need to rest and

recover a little, but only enough so I can be on my path again. So

there, Mr. Pain, don't even think about standing in my way, because

this stubborn woman is going to kick some serious butt!

Peace,

Judi