An Amazing Woman....

Last week I started reading Nicole Hemmenway's "No, It Is NOT In My Head: The Journey of a Chronic Pain Survivor from Wheelchair to Marathon." When I began reading her story, I immediately knew I was on a learning curve. I did not know anything at all about CRPS - Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. By the end of the book, I was beginning my days by adding to my daily prayer list EVERYONE who lives with this horrifying condition. I continue to do so.

Nicole's story is simply inspiring. As the title tells us, she literally went from being a disabled person who was wheelchair-bound as a result of more visits to hell and back than any one human should have to endure - to completing a half-marathon!

I'll be honest. And I'm not proud to say this at all, but confession is good for the soul. I started reading Nicole's book on the day that marked the first truly excruciating day since my last round of Botox injections. I've had some pain in the (almost) eight weeks since my injections, but nothing like this. My usual pain scale didn't quite cover how hyper-sensitive I was to not only the usual feeling of a hot poker being stuck in my right temple and stopping to burn right behind the middle of my eye......but to EVERYTHING.

I just was not myself. The cat jumping on the bed was making me cringe, because (of course!!!!) I would have to move to make room for her, and moving made me more nauseous. Light - impossible. TV - no way. Sound - ugh....the sound of my own breathing was annoying me. Poor hubby did his best to stay out of my way and I felt so badly because he has his own pain these days in his shoulder (probably from repetitive stress from transferring from the wheelchair).

Out of sheer boredom with myself, I started reading Nicole's story. My hypersensitive editorial red-pen-of-doom noticed every misplaced comma. Sometimes I can be such an a*s.

The truth is: The book is perfect.

It is a story of victory, strength, empowerment, persistence, family love, and overcoming the worst kind of agony imaginable. And I noticed grammar and editing. Gah. I am a serious jerk when I am in pain.

Which is all to say: READ THIS BOOK. If you suffer from chronic pain or know anyone who does, Nicole's story will make even the hardest times fill with her contagious hope.

Ironically, two friends have recently told me about a wonderful Reiki therapist in town. Nicole had a wonderful experience with Reiki, just as my friends have. This has inspired me now to give it a try.

Honestly, over the past (almost) six years, there are very few therapies that I have NOT tried, but Reiki is one of them. Because my doc and I agree that narcotic meds are a very bad idea, I've turned to alternative therapies. I've had cranial sacral therapy, physio, occupational therapy, spiritual direction, structural integration (formerly known as Rolfing), trigger point injections, acupuncture, Thai Yoga Massage, healing touch, and of course deep tissue massage. I have a massage tomorrow, TBTG!

But I haven't had Reiki. Now I will, thanks to my friends and to this author whose book I literally had to read a few pages at a time with my right eye partly covered and an ice pack on my right temple.

Who says miracles can't happen from thousands of miles away?

Oh, and that half marathon? After two years of having a membership at my favourite gym, I found out this week that I had moved far enough up the wait list to have a locker!! Of my very own!!! I guess that means I need to re-acquaint myself with the elliptical machine, right? :) And, of course, the treadmill.

Thanks Nicole.