Re: Looking for the positive in our situations

[Guest guest]

Dear Dave and to all in this great group,

This is a great post-Thank you Dave! I have spent my fair share of time

down in the dumps over my neck and back. Today was a really " down in

the dumps " day for me. I wish I would have started reading new posts on

this group this afternoon-I was having a REAL " pitty party " for myself

today. You know who was at my party-Me, Myself and I. Hope that made you

laugh! As some of you know, I lost my job two weeks ago. I don't do well

at home by myself. I'm a real " people person " and like to work. I am

unable to work full-time due to my neck and back. I was replaced by

someone who could work full-time. I like this post because it reminds

me that I/we can make a difference.

I think I'm going to email someone at the church down the street and see

if anyone they know might be interested in a chronic pain support group.

I may try and do some research online and see if I can find out any

information on any current support groups for people with chronic pain.

Does anyone know of ANY support groups in the US for people who suffer

from chronic pain?

One other idea I have had for a long time-I would like to see what I

would have to do in order to make my dog a therapy dog. I would like to

be able to take my dog to Children's hospitals and nursing homes.

Thanks for reminding me about the gift of time. Now I do have time and

maybe I can make a difference.

Well, I better say Good Night for now-My back needs a flat surface.

W. Suz

>

> Please forgive me if I already addressed this. like many of you, my

> short term memory stinks because of pain and meds. I had my second

> sleepless night in a row, and the mind was working

> overtime. Anyway... Through counseling, journaling and lots of time

> to think, I've been led to ask of my situation as a gift. Meaning I

> am no longer in the workplace, so possibly God has some bigger plan

> for me that I don't see right now. Yes we are all limited by our

> individual pain situation, but in general we have the gift of time. I

> realize we would all like to return that gift ;-) but since we are

> here in it, what can we do to make the best of it? Have you pondered

> this ? Just to throw some things out there, Our Founder Sharon,

> created this wonderful resource to help others in similar situations,

> Thank you Sharon. We could start a chronic pain support group for

> face to face meetings in our local area. I know from my experience

> in 2 relatively large urban areas, I have yet to find one. We could

> turn our story into a book or magazine article, we could volunteer to

> talk to new post spine operation persons at our local hospital,

> though many of us have failed surgeries, so the hospitals and Doctors

> probably wouldn't like that. And countless things you've thought

> about and I haven't. So lets try to make a message thread about this

> for encouragement. What have You thought of doing with the lemons

> you've been handed?

>

> Thanks for your time, I'll step down from my soapbox now. Dave

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ya'll,

I haven't been on in a while, kind of related to Dave's post here. In the

midst of my pain, feeling sorry for myself for hurting all the time, worrying

about money, frustrated about all the stuff I can't do any more, some lemonade

was handed to me.

I was asked to take a part time job called LaCAN leader. It's a group of

advocates for people with disabilitites (Louisians Citizens for Action Now) who

meet with legislators, write emails to members keeping them updated on new laws

and proposed legislation, and encourage people to write and call their Senators

and representatives, so those with disabilities can be taken care of in the

legislature. It's 20 hrs a week, and most of the work is done through email, so

it can be in the middle of the night or anytime. And that still falls under the

SSDI income limit. I can feel like I'm productive, and make some money. And

I'll be helping many people in a different way than when I was a nurse, but

still helping people.

And yes, I understand what you say about the gift of time. I have been able

to, because of my injury, to go to volunteer at the school, go on fieldtrips,

and I started a social group for children with disabilities. Working all the

time would have never allowed me to do these things.

I'm interested too , to hear the stories of others who have had good things

happen out of the bad.

Dee

Cruikshank <d.cruikshank@...> wrote:

Please forgive me if I already addressed this. like many of you, my

short term memory stinks because of pain and meds. I had my second

sleepless night in a row, and the mind was working

overtime. Anyway... Through counseling, journaling and lots of time

to think, I've been led to ask of my situation as a gift. Meaning I

am no longer in the workplace, so possibly God has some bigger plan

for me that I don't see right now. Yes we are all limited by our

individual pain situation, but in general we have the gift of time. I

realize we would all like to return that gift ;-) but since we are

here in it, what can we do to make the best of it? Have you pondered

this ? Just to throw some things out there, Our Founder Sharon,

created this wonderful resource to help others in similar situations,

Thank you Sharon. We could start a chronic pain support group for

face to face meetings in our local area. I know from my experience

in 2 relatively large urban areas, I have yet to find one. We could

turn our story into a book or magazine article, we could volunteer to

talk to new post spine operation persons at our local hospital,

though many of us have failed surgeries, so the hospitals and Doctors

probably wouldn't like that. And countless things you've thought

about and I haven't. So lets try to make a message thread about this

for encouragement. What have You thought of doing with the lemons

you've been handed?

Thanks for your time, I'll step down from my soapbox now. Dave

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Hi Ya'll,

I haven't been on in a while, kind of related to Dave's post here. In the

midst of my pain, feeling sorry for myself for hurting all the time, worrying

about money, frustrated about all the stuff I can't do any more, some lemonade

was handed to me.

I was asked to take a part time job called LaCAN leader. It's a group of

advocates for people with disabilitites (Louisians Citizens for Action Now) who

meet with legislators, write emails to members keeping them updated on new laws

and proposed legislation, and encourage people to write and call their Senators

and representatives, so those with disabilities can be taken care of in the

legislature. It's 20 hrs a week, and most of the work is done through email, so

it can be in the middle of the night or anytime. And that still falls under the

SSDI income limit. I can feel like I'm productive, and make some money. And

I'll be helping many people in a different way than when I was a nurse, but

still helping people.

And yes, I understand what you say about the gift of time. I have been able

to, because of my injury, to go to volunteer at the school, go on fieldtrips,

and I started a social group for children with disabilities. Working all the

time would have never allowed me to do these things.

I'm interested too , to hear the stories of others who have had good things

happen out of the bad.

Dee

Cruikshank <d.cruikshank@...> wrote:

Please forgive me if I already addressed this. like many of you, my

short term memory stinks because of pain and meds. I had my second

sleepless night in a row, and the mind was working

overtime. Anyway... Through counseling, journaling and lots of time

to think, I've been led to ask of my situation as a gift. Meaning I

am no longer in the workplace, so possibly God has some bigger plan

for me that I don't see right now. Yes we are all limited by our

individual pain situation, but in general we have the gift of time. I

realize we would all like to return that gift ;-) but since we are

here in it, what can we do to make the best of it? Have you pondered

this ? Just to throw some things out there, Our Founder Sharon,

created this wonderful resource to help others in similar situations,

Thank you Sharon. We could start a chronic pain support group for

face to face meetings in our local area. I know from my experience

in 2 relatively large urban areas, I have yet to find one. We could

turn our story into a book or magazine article, we could volunteer to

talk to new post spine operation persons at our local hospital,

though many of us have failed surgeries, so the hospitals and Doctors

probably wouldn't like that. And countless things you've thought

about and I haven't. So lets try to make a message thread about this

for encouragement. What have You thought of doing with the lemons

you've been handed?

Thanks for your time, I'll step down from my soapbox now. Dave

---------------------------------

Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check.

Try the Beta.

[Guest guest]

HI Dee that sounds wonderful for you. Something to help you keep busy

and at the same time help others. Horrayyyy for you I think Dave

has the right idea here. Doing anything for others instead of

yourself and keeping busy does tend to take your mind off your own

pain. I figured that out long ago. Unfortunately for me until I know

when the wheel of life is going to stop spinning and find out where I

will be in 3-6 months I can't really plan much to do. I am afraid all

my spare time and more than I can do will be spent going thru boxes

here and repacking stuff for a huge move halfway across the country.

Not to mention I have 3 horses who have NEVER EVER been in a trailer

that I have to figure out how to start teaching them that lesson.

They are looking at a 16+ hr drive and I honestly don't know how I am

going to do it all yet. I keep thinking when the dust settles here

around June 15th I hope I will know what is going to happen by then.

He talks of doing contract work on his own and staying here but geez

that scares me to death cause its not very stable, no insurance,

retirement benefits or anything. I WISH I had something to do right

now to take my mind off of all of this believe me. Not even having

the kids and a few friends over last nite for a BBQ helped I hoped it

would take my mind off it all. Only thing it did was exhuast me lol

so I was so tired by the time they left I sat down and crashed on the

spot:) Anyway good luck with all of this stuff you are doing it

sounds like very good work for you. And I hope you enjoy doing it.

Best wishes Sharon Group Owner

p.s. Dave I keep looking for positives but right now all I see is an

ocean of work, that I have NO IDEA how I am going to get thru. Doing

lots of praying thats for sure. S

>

> Hi Ya'll,

> I haven't been on in a while, kind of related to Dave's post

here. In the midst of my pain, feeling sorry for myself for hurting

all the time, worrying about money, frustrated about all the stuff I

can't do any more, some lemonade was handed to me.

>

> I was asked to take a part time job called LaCAN leader. It's a

group of advocates for people with disabilitites (Louisians Citizens

for Action Now) who meet with legislators, write emails to members

keeping them updated on new laws and proposed legislation, and

encourage people to write and call their Senators and

representatives, so those with disabilities can be taken care of in

the legislature. It's 20 hrs a week, and most of the work is done

through email, so it can be in the middle of the night or anytime.

And that still falls under the SSDI income limit. I can feel like

I'm productive, and make some money. And I'll be helping many people

in a different way than when I was a nurse, but still helping

people.

>

> And yes, I understand what you say about the gift of time. I

have been able to, because of my injury, to go to volunteer at the

school, go on fieldtrips, and I started a social group for children

with disabilities. Working all the time would have never allowed me

to do these things.

>

> I'm interested too , to hear the stories of others who have had

good things happen out of the bad.

>

> Dee

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI Dee that sounds wonderful for you. Something to help you keep busy

and at the same time help others. Horrayyyy for you I think Dave

has the right idea here. Doing anything for others instead of

yourself and keeping busy does tend to take your mind off your own

pain. I figured that out long ago. Unfortunately for me until I know

when the wheel of life is going to stop spinning and find out where I

will be in 3-6 months I can't really plan much to do. I am afraid all

my spare time and more than I can do will be spent going thru boxes

here and repacking stuff for a huge move halfway across the country.

Not to mention I have 3 horses who have NEVER EVER been in a trailer

that I have to figure out how to start teaching them that lesson.

They are looking at a 16+ hr drive and I honestly don't know how I am

going to do it all yet. I keep thinking when the dust settles here

around June 15th I hope I will know what is going to happen by then.

He talks of doing contract work on his own and staying here but geez

that scares me to death cause its not very stable, no insurance,

retirement benefits or anything. I WISH I had something to do right

now to take my mind off of all of this believe me. Not even having

the kids and a few friends over last nite for a BBQ helped I hoped it

would take my mind off it all. Only thing it did was exhuast me lol

so I was so tired by the time they left I sat down and crashed on the

spot:) Anyway good luck with all of this stuff you are doing it

sounds like very good work for you. And I hope you enjoy doing it.

Best wishes Sharon Group Owner

p.s. Dave I keep looking for positives but right now all I see is an

ocean of work, that I have NO IDEA how I am going to get thru. Doing

lots of praying thats for sure. S

>

> Hi Ya'll,

> I haven't been on in a while, kind of related to Dave's post

here. In the midst of my pain, feeling sorry for myself for hurting

all the time, worrying about money, frustrated about all the stuff I

can't do any more, some lemonade was handed to me.

>

> I was asked to take a part time job called LaCAN leader. It's a

group of advocates for people with disabilitites (Louisians Citizens

for Action Now) who meet with legislators, write emails to members

keeping them updated on new laws and proposed legislation, and

encourage people to write and call their Senators and

representatives, so those with disabilities can be taken care of in

the legislature. It's 20 hrs a week, and most of the work is done

through email, so it can be in the middle of the night or anytime.

And that still falls under the SSDI income limit. I can feel like

I'm productive, and make some money. And I'll be helping many people

in a different way than when I was a nurse, but still helping

people.

>

> And yes, I understand what you say about the gift of time. I

have been able to, because of my injury, to go to volunteer at the

school, go on fieldtrips, and I started a social group for children

with disabilities. Working all the time would have never allowed me

to do these things.

>

> I'm interested too , to hear the stories of others who have had

good things happen out of the bad.

>

> Dee

>

>

[Guest guest]

i liked when i used to be of help in the group instead of how ive been over

the last year. i like your ideas, and will think upon this post (hopefully)

my time is not that great in abundance, but the gist of what your saying;

surely i could help or do something with my new found knowledge/experience

with all this.

rob

No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or

understands.

>From: Cruikshank <d.cruikshank@...>

>Reply-neck pain

>neck pain

>Subject: Looking for the positive in our situations

>Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 07:10:46 -0400

>

>Please forgive me if I already addressed this. like many of you, my

>short term memory stinks because of pain and meds. I had my second

>sleepless night in a row, and the mind was working

>overtime. Anyway... Through counseling, journaling and lots of time

>to think, I've been led to ask of my situation as a gift. Meaning I

>am no longer in the workplace, so possibly God has some bigger plan

>for me that I don't see right now. Yes we are all limited by our

>individual pain situation, but in general we have the gift of time. I

>realize we would all like to return that gift ;-) but since we are

>here in it, what can we do to make the best of it? Have you pondered

>this ? Just to throw some things out there, Our Founder Sharon,

>created this wonderful resource to help others in similar situations,

>Thank you Sharon. We could start a chronic pain support group for

>face to face meetings in our local area. I know from my experience

>in 2 relatively large urban areas, I have yet to find one. We could

>turn our story into a book or magazine article, we could volunteer to

>talk to new post spine operation persons at our local hospital,

>though many of us have failed surgeries, so the hospitals and Doctors

>probably wouldn't like that. And countless things you've thought

>about and I haven't. So lets try to make a message thread about this

>for encouragement. What have You thought of doing with the lemons

>you've been handed?

>

>Thanks for your time, I'll step down from my soapbox now. Dave

>

_________________________________________________________________

http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us & ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM\

_mini_2G_0507

[Guest guest]

Hi Rob you know even if you just have a little time even helping the

new people in the group with their questions and helping them

understand what they will go thru is a huge help. And that doesn't

take alot of time either. I know with your kids alot of extra time

isn't in abundance. But it means alot to reach out and help the new

people whhen the join the group searching for answers to their pain.

And you used to be very active in the group. So if you have even a

little free time I am sure there are lots of people who could benefit

from the things you have been thru already.So maybe that would be a

good place to start. Best wishes Sharon Group Owner

'

>

> i liked when i used to be of help in the group instead of how ive

been over

> the last year. i like your ideas, and will think upon this post

(hopefully)

> my time is not that great in abundance, but the gist of what your

saying;

> surely i could help or do something with my new found

knowledge/experience

> with all this.

>

> rob

>

> No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one

cares or

> understands.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rob you know even if you just have a little time even helping the

new people in the group with their questions and helping them

understand what they will go thru is a huge help. And that doesn't

take alot of time either. I know with your kids alot of extra time

isn't in abundance. But it means alot to reach out and help the new

people whhen the join the group searching for answers to their pain.

And you used to be very active in the group. So if you have even a

little free time I am sure there are lots of people who could benefit

from the things you have been thru already.So maybe that would be a

good place to start. Best wishes Sharon Group Owner

'

>

> i liked when i used to be of help in the group instead of how ive

been over

> the last year. i like your ideas, and will think upon this post

(hopefully)

> my time is not that great in abundance, but the gist of what your

saying;

> surely i could help or do something with my new found

knowledge/experience

> with all this.

>

> rob

>

> No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one

cares or

> understands.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rob, Yes I agree with Sharon, it doesn't require a lot of time to

help people. I'm new to the group and you already have helped me by

talking about your surgery and issues that go with that. We have a

lot in common, as far as wanting more education, single parenthood

and back pain. Feel free to email me privately anytime if you need

help with school applications, financial aid, etc. Take care,

> >

> > i liked when i used to be of help in the group instead of how ive

> been over

> > the last year. i like your ideas, and will think upon this post

> (hopefully)

> > my time is not that great in abundance, but the gist of what your

> saying;

> > surely i could help or do something with my new found

> knowledge/experience

> > with all this.

> >

> > rob

> >

> > No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no

one

> cares or

> > understands.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rob, Yes I agree with Sharon, it doesn't require a lot of time to

help people. I'm new to the group and you already have helped me by

talking about your surgery and issues that go with that. We have a

lot in common, as far as wanting more education, single parenthood

and back pain. Feel free to email me privately anytime if you need

help with school applications, financial aid, etc. Take care,

> >

> > i liked when i used to be of help in the group instead of how ive

> been over

> > the last year. i like your ideas, and will think upon this post

> (hopefully)

> > my time is not that great in abundance, but the gist of what your

> saying;

> > surely i could help or do something with my new found

> knowledge/experience

> > with all this.

> >

> > rob

> >

> > No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no

one

> cares or

> > understands.

> >

> >

> >

>