Today’s guest post has been written by my friend Lyn. She has chronic back pain due to a stretched nerve in her lower back and slight scoliosis. She decided to write this letter as it’s Christmas and she wanted to share her message of hope with chronic pain fighters.
These rubber dumbbells represent Lyn’s strength :)
Dear back pain,
We have been together for over 14 years. I confess that our relationship hasn’t been easy but I now realise that your presence in my life is a gift. As we are approaching the end of another year I would therefore like to thank you for changing my life for the better in so many ways:
Firstly, I want to thank you for helping me to appreciate my model hips. I am very grateful for these, as unlike fashion models, I do not have to force my hips into an asymmetrical position for hours on end because mine do this naturally.
Secondly, I want to thank you for making me take better care of my health and body. I eat well and exercise when I can. I am stronger now and I feel a lot better about myself and my life.
I also want to thank you for helping me to rediscover the joy of doing simple things that I used to take for granted, such as wearing fashionable shoes and gentle hill walking. I did not realise how much I enjoyed these experiences until they became almost impossible for me to do. I promise not to take them for granted again.
Finally, I want to thank you for teaching me to be more compassionate, patient and resilient. As a result of my time with you, I have a greater appreciation of what people with mobility issues go through every day and I have had the pleasure of working with caring people who have helped me to achieve things that I previously thought were impossible.
I do not know how long we have left together but I will never forget what you have taught me.
Thank you again!
Love from
Lyn
I love Lyn’s message of hope to chronic pain fighters, her positivity shines through her letter. I admire her strength and resilience – she truly is inspirational.
Keep smiling :)
Claire
x
Wow! What an inspiration. I’ve never looked at chronic pain in a positive way before. Brilliant!
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Lyn is an inspirational woman and always so positive x
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Thanks Claire! I find you and your blog really inspiring too! Thank you for letting me ‘hijack it’ for the day! I feel really honoured! :-)
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Thank you Lyn xx
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Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad that you found my post helpful! :-)
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Great guest post. She’s so positive and what a great way to face chronic pain x
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It definitely is :) I love positivity x
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Thanks Kerry! Glad you liked my post! :-)
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What a great way with words Lyn has and I too would never think of pairing Chronic Pain with positive words until now x
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She is very talented x
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*Blushes* Thanks Rachel! Glad that you also liked my post! :-)
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Lyn is an inspiration and I love her positive outlook. Negativity will only pull you down and I’m glad Lyn didn’t allow this to win.
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She is x
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How kind of you to say so Esme! :-)
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Aw this is a truly heartwarming post I found it a pleasure to read. I too have chronic back pain but I still carry on as normal and do all the things that I love. The after effects are painful and sometimes I can be crying with pain but I never let it stop me and that is the key.
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That is the key Ana, to never give up x
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Thanks Ana! Glad that you liked my post and I admire your fortitude! :-) Claire’s right! I’ve learned that it’s ok to give in when I need to but it’s important not to give up (i.e. sometimes it’s ok to lose the battle as long as I win the war on pain)!
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Such an inspiring post! I wish I had read this 2 years ago when I thought my back pain would ruin my dreams. It is truly debilitating, esp when your brain stops fighting. A fantastic message. Well done x
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Thanks themummybalancingact! I’m glad that you like my post! By the way, when I feel debilitated, I prefer to think of the experience like as my muscles and sciatic nerve having a friendly argument rather than my brain stopping fighting! :-)
Sometimes my muscles win (because they are getting stronger and are supporting the injured nerve), sometimes my injured nerve wins (because the nerve pain is too intense for my muscles to handle at a particular time), but my brain never stops fighting! It just rests for a while when the nerve wins the argument and concentrates on practising the techniques which are strengthening the muscles when the pain has passed! :-) I hope that you continue to achieve your dreams! x
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I’ve never thought of it like that before. It makes perfect sense though x
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this letter is such an encouragement to me today! i have been dealing with pain in my back, neck and shoulders due to heavy breasts and my insurance finally approved for me to have surgery but it isn’t working out to happen so i’m trying to find peace with my situation and this letter is such a reminder of how strong this has made me even when i am feeling weak
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I’m so sorry to read this! I’m happy that my post helped you and I hope that your situation will be resolved soon! :-)
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This is so inspirational and really thoughtful, she’s an absolute gem to do this. It’s so easy to feel alone and isolated but knowing there’s other people can really give you the strength and boost you need.
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It definitely can. You are not alone x
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Thanks Deanna! Glad that you liked my post! 😊
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Loved this post so many times I suffer from chronic pain and never have thought of looking it in a positive manner
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Thanks for your kind words, Angie! 😊
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This is such a great post and so honest. Thank your friend for sharing it with us :)
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I will do x
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Thank you for your kind words, Because… I’m cheap!
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Back pain is the worst, I can’t imagine having it chronically. I’m thankful for her spirit and sharing.
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Thanks Angie@chasingmyhalo! Glad that you liked my post! 😊
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Thank you so much for sharing! I had a chronic back pain for years, luckily it went away last year
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Thanks for you kind words, the deal matchmaker! I’m delighted that your back pain went away! I hope that it stays away. 😊
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Powerful! Inspiring people dealing with chronic illness is always admirable. It’s tough to go through an illness that will never go away, so it’s nice to hear words of wisdom and hope.
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Glad you liked my post, Elizabeth O 😊
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This is such a positive outlook on chronic pain and very inspiring!
I got run over a few years ago and couldn’t walk for almost a year. My back pain was absolutely excruciating and it would have been fabulous to have come across something like this to help me through. When you’re in so much pain, it’s easy to be down so well done to Lyn for her inner strength! X X
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Thanks Beautiful Bear! 😊 I hope that your back is better now!
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Reblogged this on Concierge Librarian.
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Liked and reblogged as well..I cannot imagine being in constant pain because I feel like killing someone even with pain for just a day. SIGH….big big SIGH
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Wow! Fashionable Librarian! Thanks
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Lovely post. I have back pain so I can relate.
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Glad that you liked my post but sorry that you have back pain, fashion and style police! I hope that it eases off soon! 😊
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What a lovely post, Im so thankful that I’ve never experienced the chronic pain.
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Thanks Nicole 😊
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What a lovely letter – such a positive inspiring lady. I hope I never experience chronic pain. Kaz x
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*Blushes* Thanks Kaz!
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What a beautiful and uplifting way to look at things. I can’t imagine that would be easy to stay positive!
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Thanks Liz! You’re right! It’s not easy to stay positive but I do my best! Lol!
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So inspiring! Loved this so much. Stay positive and keep yourself motivated! Rooting for you!
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Thanks for your kind words, Mrs Sconion! 😊
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It must be really hard to live with chronic pain but what a great attitude and approach x
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Thanks Ali! Glad you liked my post! 😊
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Great post. Back pain is the absolute worst I know someone who suffers with chronic back pain and I just don’t know how they do it.
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Glad you like my post, Jeanine! 😊 Sorry to hear about the person you know! I’m thinking of him/her! 😊
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That’s a beautiful and inspirational letter! I suffer from back pain so I can relate to this. Thank you for the support!
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Thanks Anna C! :-) Glad you liked my post! :-)
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I feel this way about some things too. You do learn to appreciate things once you find out what life is like without them. :)
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This is a great post and a wonderful way of looking at it. x
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Thanks for your kind words, Charlotte! :-)
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Very encouraging post. I have back pain also that I carry for years but I learn that “acceptance, patience and rejoice every part of ourselves inlcuding the “not so easy part” is the key. Thanks for sharing this couragement.
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Thank you, Ochalina! I hope that your back pain improves! :-)
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Very encouraging post! I have back pain that I carry for years but I l learn that ‘acceptance, patience and rejoicing ourselves even the weakest part’ is the key. Thank you for sharing this lovely couragement.
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Wonderfully inspirational and another way to approach it, and very humbling for me to read too.
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Fuss Free Helen! :-)
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Chronic pain can be so debilitating. Thanks for the help :)
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Thank you too! Glad that my post helped.
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What a lovely and inspiring message, beautiful words x
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Thank you for the compliment!
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