Living with Neuropathy

Hi! I’ve suffered from very painful neuropathy in both feet, and my right leg and lower back for almost 10 yrs. I am an R.N., worked in a busy OB dept. @ a large hospital in town for almost 18 yrs., and loved my job! I never thought in a million yrs. that I’d quit nursing before retirement, or that I would ever suffer in this way.

I’ve run the gammit-severe depression pushing myself and trying to ignore the pain(denial),anger,isolation,etc. I used to be a very active, busy woman and this has caused me to basically withdraw from life as I knew it. But what I learned is that, I am actually GAINING something from my pain. It has brought me so much closer to God, and my faith sustains me now. I’ve learned to really love my family and appreciate them. I have a wonderful supportive husband who’s gladly taken over much of the work I was doing in our home, and also now has to support us both as I can no longer work, and a beautiful grown daughter who’s also been a tremendous help to me.

My pain has humbled me, whereas I used to be the one who helped others, now I am humbled enough to accept the help I need.I now see my pain as a great teacher. I believe that everything in our lives happens for a reason, and that God provides us with opportunities to learn in all sorts of ways. Don’t get me wrong, I still get discouraged and I still get depressed and when my pain is severe, I break down and cry. But I love life too much( and my faith teaches me that life is sacred and a very special gift from God), and still have too much life left to go!

I am now about to turn 50, and I am proud to have made it this far in life! I survived thyroid cancer,an abusive relationship (not this husband),watched my dad, who was bedridden, suffer from addiction to painkillers. But through it all, I know that God loves me and that He loves us all, and that I won’t suffer anymore after I leave this hurting tired body and am in His loving arms in Heaven! But for now, I will enjoy my life to the fullest, pain or not. I am NOT going to allow pain to take my joy of living away from me! God bless all who read this and who also suffer from this terrible pain.