We've all experienced it. Some worse than others. But what can we do, when we have pain all the time. Those who have experienced it, know that it can take a toll on your health. Both mentally and physically. We tend to become very snappy, losing our tempers so quickly that sometimes we don't even realize that we are doing it. We tend to shy away from everything, friends included.
My battle with pain started many years ago, in an accident. Being young and healthy, it wasn't long before I was on the road to recovery. I didn't think any more of it. Over the years, with the wear and tear on my spine and disc's, old age creeping upon me, and generally not really looking after myself, my back pain returned, and with a vengeance.

I had my back operated on approx 1993, and it improved for a few years. BUT! I didn't exercise properly, nor did I take proper care of my back. When the pain was at it's worst, it was excruciating. I literally became unbearable to live with. The slightest thing would turn my temper, and I could be so nasty. I refrained from going out with my friends, and finally they stopped asking me. I became almost a recluse. Going out only when I had to. Even then, that became so hard to do.


I was virtually living off drugs. This drug for the pain, that drug to relax me, the other one to help me sleep. I was becoming a zombie. I found it too hard to do so many things that I loved. Crosswords being one of them. I found I couldn't concentrate long enough. The words that once came so easily to my mind, now lay hidden in the darkness of drugs.

Many times the thought crossed my mind that I would be better off dead. My Doctor, realizing that I was close to the edge, referred me to a Pain Clinic. The Clinic was being run at the Geelong Hospital, and I realized that this was my last chance at regaining my life. Of being able to do things that I hadn't done for so long, that I had almost 'forgotten' to do.
I was to begin a journey, that would alter my life forever.