The Colorful Chronicles
Ah, chronic pain, the constant companion that most fail to comprehend. Amidst the supportive and understanding individuals, I have come across a multitude of misconceptions surrounding my condition. Brace yourselves for the flamboyant unveiling of the top 10 bewildering comments, some even uttered by dear friends, that have left me flabbergasted.
“Just think positively and your pain will go away.”
Oh, the marvels of positive thinking! If only it were that simple, my fellow sufferers. We, warriors of chronic pain, could sit secluded in a chamber adorned with walls tattooed in a million uplifting slogans, and yet the agony would persist. Alas, the truth remains unchanged, no matter how many times they deny it.
Many individuals perceive pain as a puzzle to be solved, a challenge to be conquered. And if the solution eludes them, then it must be a mere creation of the mind, a phantom haunting the corridors of our consciousness. Share on X“You shouldn’t take medications. They’re bad for you.”
Well, isn’t that an epiphany! As if one fateful morning, I arose with an insatiable desire to ingest an assortment of medications. Delightfully reveling in the ensuing grogginess and relishing the bouquet of side effects—oh, what a blissful existence! Permit me to enlighten the masses: the decision to consume copious medications was not my own. Nay, it was the esteemed physicians who charted my course, while I merely clung to their guidance, forgoing the luxury of refusal. Declining their prescribed elixirs would only plunge me deeper into the abyss of torment.
“Just don’t think about it.”
Ah, the art of distraction, a balm for the pain-stricken soul. But oh, how whimsical it is to assume that banishing ruthless pain from the mind is as effortless as a mere flick of the wrist. Picture this, dear interlocutor: me, brandishing a hammer, vigorously driving a nail into someone’s foot. Then, with a disingenuous grin, I ask, “What ails you? Simply cease pondering it.” Such a notion defies the very essence of torment.
I implored my friend’s time and time again to peruse articles and delve into the depths of knowledge, but alas, they never did. Instead, they persisted in questioning the existence of chronic pain. Share on X“Go to the gym. You’ll feel better.”
Alas, this fallacy beguiled me as well. Persuaded by a companion, I returned to the iron sanctuary, believing it would absolve me of suffering. Little did I know that the relentless agony would grow fiercer with each passing day. When I humbly disclosed my misguided endeavor to my pain specialist, the good doctor scoffed, revealing the ludicrousness of such advice. Take heed, dear readers, for I implore you to consult your trusted physicians before embarking on any physical regimen.
“Everybody has pain. Why do you let it get to you?”
Ah, the sting of skepticism, aimed at my resilience in the face of affliction. When one dares to question the intensity of my anguish, my fury surges. The audacious soul who dared utter such words had experienced naught but a mere neck strain, destined to evaporate within a day or two. They inquired, with an air of disdain, why my head, neck, hip, and leg screamed ceaselessly in torment. I promptly reminded this fool that my pain clasps me unyieldingly, twenty-four hours a day. Were I gifted with the knowledge that it would dissipate in a matter of days or months, it would scarcely perturb my existence.
“You’re different than you used to be.”
Oh, how profound! This cutting remark struck a chord, for I yearn to rediscover my former self, long eclipsed by the perpetual agony that now haunts me. Despite my tireless efforts, the ceaseless pain, the melancholy it begets.
“Don’t get surgery. That’s stupid. You’re too young.”
What?! Seriously, who in their right mind doesn’t just adore the thought of surgery? The thrill of the anesthetic coursing through your veins, the exhilarating experience of being laid out on that cold operating table, the exciting journey of going under the knife, the subsequent rehabilitation, and, oh, let’s not forget the exquisite pain that accompanies the entire process Oh, what a joyous adventure it is! I mean, really, what’s not to love?
I vividly remember the time when one of my so-called friends had the audacity to make this comment. It was right before I underwent a spinal lumbar decompression and fusion procedure on my back. Can you believe it? She acted as if I were willingly seeking out surgery for the sheer fun of it!
“Are you sure it’s not in your head?”
Oh, this one is an absolute gem, isn’t it? I must admit that I simply adore the level of understanding that the person who made this comment to me displayed. It truly leaves me flabbergasted. Do they insinuate that I have conjured up my pain and that it’s all a figment of my imagination? Or are they suggesting that my brain, in its infinite wisdom, is playing a delightful little game of make-believe, tricking my body into experiencing pain? Oh, the possibilities!
Now, if this individual happened to be leaning towards the latter option, well, they were indeed onto something. Yes, my dear readers, I must confess that my pain does originate from the realm of my mind and manifests itself in tangible agony. But of course, I am well aware that they were leaning towards the former, the notion that my pain is a mere fabrication.
“Is chronic pain even a thing?”
Ah, the irony of it all! This particular comment came from none other than a dear friend, someone with whom I shared years of camaraderie. Can you imagine my reaction? I emitted a peculiar sound, which can only be described as a hybrid of half-laugh and half-cringe, as I couldn’t control myself. It was a reaction born out of sheer disbelief mixed with a tinge of amusement.
You see, my dear friend, despite my countless attempts to enlighten him, he remained stubbornly ignorant about the reality of chronic pain. I implored my friend’s time and time again to peruse articles and delve into the depths of knowledge, but alas, they never did. Instead, they persisted in questioning the existence of chronic pain, as if it were some mythical creature of lore.
To me, it seems that many individuals perceive pain as a puzzle to be solved, a challenge to be conquered. And if the solution eludes them, well, then it must be a mere creation of the mind, a phantom haunting the corridors of our consciousness. Little do they know that I have learned through my own journey in a chronic pain program that this perception couldn’t be farther from the truth.
And now, my dear readers, brace yourselves for the grand reveal—the pièce de résistance of misinformed comments made about my chronic pain. Drumroll, please…
“You’re lucky that you don’t have to work.”
Oh, the sheer brilliance of this comment from none other than my incredibly wise neighbor. I must admit, upon hearing those words, I simply gazed at him, a mix of astonishment and amusement dancing in my eyes. And with a smirk playing upon my lips, I couldn’t help but retort, “Oh, really? Care to trade places?”
It is undeniable that some may find this list amusing, while others may find it exasperating, perhaps due to their own encounters with these misguided comments. Nevertheless, I feel compelled to share something with you, my dear readers. Over the course of time, I have learned not to let these comments gnaw at my soul with such ferocity. They may still sting at times, triggering a tempest of emotions within me, but I have discovered that allowing anger to consume us only serves to intensify our pain.
it seems that many individuals perceive pain as a puzzle to be solved, a challenge to be conquered. And if the solution eludes them, well, then it must be a mere creation of the mind, a phantom haunting the corridors of our consciousness. Share on XAlthough ignorance can never serve as a justifiable excuse, I have come to realize that most people do not deliberately set out to inflict harm or offense. Acknowledging this fact helps dull the sharp edges of their misguided words. Perhaps it is worthwhile for us to pause and ponder, “Did we possess a true understanding of chronic pain before we ourselves became immersed in its unyielding grip?”
As for me, I can emphatically declare that I did not.
So, let us journey forth, armed with newfound resilience and empathy, striving to bridge the gap between ignorance and understanding, one conversation at a time. Share on X
