Last night, I watched the movie Cake, which stars Jennifer Aniston as an ill-tempered woman dealing with chronic pain. Seeing her move slowly and robotically, small gasps with every effort, brought back some difficult memories. But also a clear sense of strength and of hope. As anyone with chronic pain can tell you, it becomes…
Tag: #SJS
A Good Day
So often when you have a chronic disorder, especially a painful or debilitating one, it can be difficult to talk about the good days. That seems counterintuitive, right? Shouldn’t we want to talk about the good days more than the bad? Of course we do! Thinking of the good days is what gets us through…
Once More Into the Breach
I’m sitting in a hotel room in Miami, mere hours from the next chapter in what has become a seven-year climb. I suppose I could think of my steady stream of surgeries as a mighty war against the scar tissue that continues to threaten my vision. Tomorrow’s surgery is but one battle of many in…
Try, Try Again
Do you ever wake up and just think, “Not today”? For those of us with chronic illnesses (or even difficult habits), finding a way out can seem like an impossible task. After years of trying, the trying itself can become a monstrous chore. I know I have certainly had moments where giving up looked like…
Living Up to You
On the first calm day I’ve had in weeks, I took some time this afternoon to wander the internet. I happened upon this beautiful story of a young man who left behind music, memories, love, and laughter for his family and friends when he passed away yesterday. Please take the time to watch his story…