Chronic Pain Doesn’t Have To Change My View

Today was a no-movement type of day. After waking this morning, and standing up, I realized that my head was hurting very severely. I ate some toast with a large icepack on my head. Then, I just stayed all day in my recliner. I iced my head many times throughout the day. My neck was the source of the pain, as it throbs up and into my skull.

After icing my neck and head a few times, I started to feel some relief. I was told to take a little Tylenol if I needed it. I need pain medicine every minute of the day and night. Thankfully, a muscle relaxer at night helps me sleep with my neck feeling more relaxed.

I have recently taken Ibuprofen when I’m nearly screaming from the pain. But, I’m only taking it when I get to that point. I was having facial pain from my last two cavity fillings and severe pain in my right wrist. Thankfully, the tooth pain is much better and the wrist is doing better today.

Yesterday I saw my hand surgeon. She still wanted to hold off on the wrist fusion surgery, because I still have pretty good movement in that wrist. I told her that my brace now is hurting too much to wear. The hand therapist gave me a bigger size and added some foam padding in places that created a comfortable brace.

I have a larger compression sleeve which works so much better. I’m wearing it now without pain, which is the best feeling! A major headache does me in for the rest of the day. You know how I hate reclining all day in my pajamas. Many times I hear healthy people say that they love a day where they can just stay home in their pajamas.

Chronic illness warriors don’t look forward to a day in their pajamas, because it means we’re too sick or weak to get a shower and get dressed. Getting a shower is the hardest thing I do everyday. By the time I’m dressed I’m seeing bright white circles, am panting, need liquids for a severely dry mouth, and feel weak.

Collapsing in my recliner is always the last step. Now, I must rest for a while to get over the exhaustion of getting a shower.

I’ve spent a lot of my day looking at my front window. It’s so delightful to have a nice window in the living room. From my angle I see many bare trees, a few electric wires, and one evergreen across the street. As the day passes by, it’s so beautiful to see the sky at different times.

On a winter day the sky has a light gray color. In the sunset there is a pretty orange glow in the distance. Dusk is my favorite. It’s so easy on my eyes. Now I can see light purple colors far away and soon it will be dark. What a easy, relaxed feeling I’m experiencing watching nature. It’s changes are miraculous to see, and I can praise my Creator for this gift.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD.. Ps 96:11-12

The only other times that I could just gaze at the sky or land was when I was a child. I grew up in a simpler time. Many times we just stretched out on the grass and watched the clouds. We imagined all types of animals in the various and ever-changing shapes. It was so easy and I’m sure we didn’t realize how long we stayed there.

I also remember doing the same with the stars. In the back seat we scooted our heads up in the back window. They were deep back then, and we could look at the stars. The best time to enjoy it was when our family was in the country. There were no lights to spoil the view and it felt magical.

Childhood can be a beautiful time if you are healthy. So many things are different now that I’m always in pain. I can do very little, because of my ankle and wrist pain. If I’m having a flare with headaches, I’m on my back. But for me these can be times of freedom. There is still drama and stress all around me, but I prefer to take my time and just think simple thoughts.

@2026, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical expert. This post contains my experiences and opinions and is not meant to be taken as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please consult your personal physician.