Isolation

[Guest guest]

I know how all of you feel about being so isolated due to pain. I have a job

which I am doing everything to keep, because I need the money, and even more

important the insurance that it can provide until I get a little closer to

retirement age.

So I do see people during the work day but once I get home and on weekends, it's

just me and the dogs. I don't mind it so much during the week because I am sooo

tired and exhausted that I can just go to bed. Weekends are much tougher IF I'm

feeling better and of course holidays can be very long and lonely.

This weekend (Labor Day) I tried going up to Chicago to see my son. The trip

about put me in the grave as my pain level was a 10 plus on the way home. I

really wanted to spend time with him but the whole trip made me question why I

went if the pain is that bad afterward. I feel like every once in awhile I want

to go be with the only family I have left so I push myself to do stuff.

In a couple of weeks I'm going to go see my mom. I doubt if she will live

through another winter so want to see her before the weather makes it tough. She

needs me to drive her to Ohio because she's on a lot of pain medicine, too and

has even more issues with driving than I do. I don't want to be a hermit but

the pain can turn you into one.

My brother called me yesterday and said he just doesn't understand my hesitation

to do stuff like this. I tried to explain but could tell he really doesn't have

a clue and doesn't want to.

I know he has his own life. I wish I could hand him my pain for an hour because

I think he would get it if he could feel it. He's not a mean person.

Well, hope you are all having a good day. Hang in there and try to reach out to

others. I think we have to just keep saying what we're feeling and maybe

someday, others will get it.

Becky in Illinois