EMOTIONAL PAIN

[Guest guest]

I have talked to some of you about this subject, but I really need a

variety of input, so I am posting this. I know that some people have

problems with spouses that don't understand, but is any one else

having problems with family and friends believing that you are sick?

I had surgery in June of this year, and was supposed to be back at

work by now. Well, I am not. In fact, I think I am slowly going

back to being the same (and some days, worse), then i was before

surgery. I can deal with the physical problems of Chiara, but I

can't deal with my family's attitude about it.

Except for my boyfriend, aunt, and father, no one in my family

believes I am still sick. They tell me to suck it up, etc. I rarely

talk to them anymore because of it. It is their doing not mine. They

don't want to hear about it, or see me getting weak, etc., so even

seeing them is difficult.

How do I deal with them? If I had a " known " disease or illness, they

would expect me to be sick, but since I have something that is hard

for some doctors even to believe, I have no " evident " symptoms. Sure

when I start to shake, or whan I get pale, they can see it, but how

do you see dizziness, headaches, etc? When they do see that I don't

feel well, they say I am exaggerating, or just lazy.

I promise them that if I had my way, I would be back at work,

driving, having fun with my friends, etc. They don't understand that

staying at home, not driving, and never knowing how I am going to

feel from one minute to the next is NOT fun.

sorry so long,

ACM1

decompression surgery6/00

partial removal of C1, bovine patch

still alive, but not really living