Don’t Let Pain Gain Control

This has been a weekend! Everything was set up perfectly. A family getaway for a long weekend, before our youngest goes back to college, and bringing the dogs to see the ocean for the first time. I couldn’t be happier! We got to Carlsbad, California Friday late afternoon and took our pups for a walk. Dinner came and we fed them as normal but around 9:00 pm my year and half old pup started acting really weird, almost drunk. She tanked quickly after that, just as my boys were arriving. I called the All night pet ER and asked a few questions and was told by the doctor on call that she could’ve gotten into illicit drugs around the beach! Are you kidding me?!?!? We took off for the clinic and when we arrived her heart rate was 160! They gave her a sedative and took a urine sample to test. We held her and waited. They continued to monitor her heart rate, which thankfully came back down to 70-80 bpm. This is how our family vacation started! Needless to say I was completely stressed out and afraid for our pup. we brought her home where I monitored her all night long with no sleep…. Now let’s get to the pain part of this story. Don’t get wrapped up in the moment of pain. Look out and see the beauty around you and a future that will get better. This was the first full day in my newest socket since my surgery, add in the stress from the night and Saturday was painful! Phantom pains grew and I started to get a raw mark on my thigh from the top of the socket, plus for added fun, a stomach ache. I was a hot mess! I did everything in my power to stay positive, deep breathing often and enjoying our beautiful view, but damage was done. I didn’t get in the steps I had hoped I would get this weekend but I will take a small win- I wore my prosthesis everyday all day, even when I just wanted to take it off. I let my husband know the pain I was in on Sunday as our kids were packing up to leave for home. I wanted him to know why I was a bit quieter than normal but that was it. I didn’t speak of it any other time, why? I won’t allow pain to gain power on my life. Even on those hard days. If it’s so bad that I can’t walk then I focus on what I can do to have a “win” in my corner-wearing it all day. Our mind is so very powerful and when we allow pain to take over, consuming us, talking about it often and at every turn, that’s not healing that’s sabotaging yourself. It’s ok to get quiet in those moments and allow yourself to muscle through hard times, just know that they will pass but talking about them can set you back and hold you down, downing you in the pain. It can be almost impossible to see a light at the end of the tunnel. What do you do to help yourself in the midst of pain? Do you give yourself grace knowing it’s a part of life or do you get consumed by pain? What are steps you take to get your mind right when it seems impossible? Do you have a good support system to help you navigate life during these trials? Don’t give up, Warrior, this too shall pass. Reach out and tell me how you are managing your setbacks. And remember, you are stronger than you think. Have a blessed week and as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,