We hear that all the time in the world of sports but that can also apply to the world of brain injuries. Unfortunately for the brain injured, some, have to fight through pain each and every day just to gain some of the simple pleasures in life. And I’m sure when you are in the middle of feeling really lousy you wonder if it’s all worth it? Well I say hell yeah it’s worth it!
You’re probably asking how come I am so sure of the worthiness of living with the pain? It’s because I live through it every single day and I wouldn’t change it for anything other than not having a brain injury in the first place. I have just accepted the fact that pain is part of my day to day and, as much as possible, I am not going to let it rule me. Having said that I still am very aware of what things will flare the pain and work to stay away from situations that can make matters worse. Don’t get me wrong I do get frustrated from time to time and actually allow myself those moments but, for just a short time and then it’s chin up and move on.
The most frustrating time for me is thinking too hard. You’re probably saying what? For me a real challenge is if I focus on a task too long my headache really starts to flare and then my head feels so heavy it’s like I can’t hold it up. I don’t want to stop but if I don’t I risk turning this into a multi day suffering so I stop and sometimes feel so frustrated I want to hit something. I don’t hit anything because I recognize the feeling and switch my thought to calming down. I then look at all I got accomplished before I had to stop and realize the sooner I get the pain under control the sooner I can resume the task. I also try to look at the pain as validation that I was really getting something done because my brain is really tired. Kinda like using weights, you know, you can only pump so much before it begins to hurt and you tire. When that happens we are all positive saying it’s a good thing and it was a good workout. Well, that’s how I try to look at it with my brain, I gave it a good workout but now it’s time to rest.
No pain no gain when pumping weights and no pain no gain when pumping my brain. I try to think that way as much as possible and that helps me get through the pain most of the time. And sometimes, I just got to accept that I have a brain injury and the pain is part of that and it’s OK to feel lousy. sometimes I just have to accept the pain to do something I like and deal with the consequences later. If not, I would miss out on too many things that make me happy. I just try to plan out the days leading up to the event in such a way that I give myself the best chance of enjoying myself with the least amount of pain. If I can plan lots of rest before I go out then maybe my headache will only reach a 5 or 6 instead of say a 7 or 8. Trust me I would take a 5 headache over an 8 headache without thinking twice. I know I’m going to be in pain but I manage it as best I can so I am able to gain the best possible enjoyment at the event.
The pain is there and there is no way around that but don’t let it rule you. Learn the things that help you to control the level of pain and the things that increase the pain and then learn how to work those things to your advantage. This is not going to happen overnight, here I am almost 12 years after my first accident and I’m still learning and refining all the time.
Use the pain as a measurement of your success not your limitations and remember, No Pain No gain!
Until Next Time Remember,
Where there’s Hope there’s Inspiration
JustJoe
www.justjoeimage.com
