‘I live with chronic pain, but I’m still positive about life’

I remember the conversation vividly. “You’ll be in a wheelchair by the time you’re 40,” my doctor said. “Is that so?” I replied. “Then you can go to blazers!”

I was in my early-30s when my doctor gave me this news. I have an arthritic spine. I admit I was surprised and shocked at the revelation. Things like that give you a reality check. However, after assimilating what he said, I thought, well if that’s the case, I may as well go out fighting.

At the time, my husband, two young children and I were in the process of moving to the coast and it was a great opportunity to look at options and change my life. I took up Tai Chi, tennis and karate.

Now, at the age of 67, I live alone, my husband died in 2010, my children are grown up and have left the nest, and I’m blessed with one grandchild. I have much to be grateful.

At this stage I’m still not in a wheelchair, although the arthritis has set in. I live with chronic pain and have done for almost 30 years, and I’m now awaiting an orthopaedic specialist appointment to determine whether I need a left hip replacement.

Life is tough, challenging, painful and debilitating, but I soldier on. My mind is strong and my spirit is willing. I have faith, hope and a great network of friends and family. I make the most of each and every day.

Physically, it’s obvious that there’s something wrong with me, but that’s the only tell tale sign. I do hobble around with a walking stick, but other than that, nothing about me has changed. My essence, soul and heart are still curious, youthful and full of wonder.

My mother is 96 and lives in aged care. There’s nothing she’d like more than to have me live in a room next to her. That’s enough motivation for me to keep going and live in hope of quality of life rather than quantity.

There are so many young people living with chronic pain, disabilities and illnesses that literally cripple them. They have young families and often need to work to support them. I don’t have any obligations, and if I feel like staying at home and not being sociable, I have the choice to do that, they don’t.

I believe we are all wounded in one way or another and I’m mindful to be kind, caring and lend a hand whenever possible.

I never thought that this would happen to me, but it has, and I have to deal with it in the best way that I can. We all have choices, and mine is to embrace life with all my might.

Have you had to manage pain as you’ve got older? How have you done it?

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