I’m always very open and honest about my chronic illnesses (or at least I try to be) but there’s still sides of my condition that not everyone is aware of. Why? Because my health makes me quite vulnerable and only people that live with me see me at my worst. At the moment I live…
Category: pain
24 Things I Couldn’t Live Without As a Spoonie
Luckily in this day and age we have a lot of resources and equipment at our fingertips. As someone with a disability, there’s quite a few items I need in my everyday life to help it run more smoothly. Now, I don’t have unlimited funds (if only) so I don’t have every product that could…
The ‘Done’ List: Acknowledging Achievements
I’ve always been overly critical of myself; I give myself a hard time and feel guilty if I spend a few hours resting. As someone that suffers with chronic pain, I should be used to chilling out and letting myself recover but I put a lot of pressure on myself, and never give myself credit…
Bricks on my Chest: Costochondritis
I’ve dealt with costochondritis for about sixteen years. When it first happened I thought something was seriously wrong. The pain was awful, so I went to see my GP immediately. Was I having a heart attack? Had I cracked a rib? What the hell was going on inside my chest? Costochondritis is caused by an…
One Year Follow-Up: Stanmore Pain Management and Rehabilitation Programme
Can you believe that it’s been a year since I spent three weeks in rehab? Where has the time gone? I distinctly remember the nerves I felt the weeks leading up to the programme as if it was last month. The apprehension, the anticipation, the terror. I was terrified, I’ll openly admit that; it was…
How Aren’t You in Pain?
As I lie here with my left knee heavily braced, the pain surging through my whole leg, pulsating, agonising, my mind begins to wander. I only ever voiced this a few months ago and as soon as I said it out loud, I realised how ridiculous it might sound to someone who doesn’t know me….
What Disability?: The Adaptability of Children
I spent last weekend with my three year old nephew, Kaine, and it got me thinking about how he sees me. I’m his Auntie Sarah, I use crutches, I use an electric wheelchair, I wear splints and take tablets, but most of all, I make a huge fuss out of him, I buy him toys…
Medication Made Me Say It
I’ve said quite a few hilarious things when I’ve been slightly off my face on prescription drugs. This is completely different to my Brain Fog series, because brain fog happens on the daily, and here I’ll be sharing silly things I’ve said/done when I’ve taken really strong medication and the effects it has on my…
Diagnosed 10 Years Ago Today
Last month I wrote a letter to myself on the day I was diagnosed, I mentioned that the date has been burned into my memory, and today is that date ten years on. 06/06/06Six six six Ten years. Ten whole years since someone told me the strangest words I’d ever heard. Since, I didn’t have…
What Would You Do If You Were No Longer in Pain?
I often wonder what it would be like to not be in pain. Every day is exhausting. Every day different. Every day a question mark. I don’t know if I’ll wake up and be in agony and have to cancel plans. I don’t know what kind of mood I’ll be in. I can’t guarantee that…