Anecdotes for Chronic Pain: Empathy, Awe, Gratitude, Humor, Etc.

I recently read a post by "@loriesco" who wrote: "I’m not sure what pain teaches us. I read your post three times over the morning maybe before. I want to say I am sorry and I empathize with the many abuse and discrimination you suffered. I also experience the same. I am not sure that I tie my pain to my childhood traumas." In response to these comments, my point is not that chronic pain is tethered to past traumatic experiences. My point is that my experiences have taught me empathy--and empathy is one of the best anecdotes for chronic pain.

Whenever I've had an especially rough night, I turn to this "community" first thing in the morning. I empathize with all of you who have health challenges, who care for someone with health issues, or both; and I especially empathize with those of you who have to deal with chronic pain since it is now in the driver's seat of my husband's life (his Alzheimer's, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia and Parkinson's are mere passengers).

Awe is another anectdode for pain. As a spouse of a chronic pain sufferer and as one myself, I am in awe of all of you who share your stories through Mayo Clinic Support. Chronic pain dulls our sense of being fully alive, and dealing with chronic pain is exhausting. Awe for all of you, however, stirs my soul and reawakens me to the flow of life. For that, I am grateful.

Gratitude is especially uplifting. I try to be thankful for all things great or small. That way, I don't have to dig myself out of a pit full of self-pity. (To deal with chronic pain, I swim whenever I can; and since I have recently been having back and leg issues, I am grateful whenever I am able to get in and out of the pool. And I am even more grateful for having access to a warm shower or a hot bath after my swim--especially since many people don't have that luxury.)

Humor is as also uplifting. On many days, it's hard to laugh let alone smile because pain is a cold-hearted killer. So, when all else fails, just scream and yell in between swearing up a storm. Extremely cathartic.