When you work long enough with those in the chronic pain world, and/or you’re a chronic pain girl yourself, it doesn’t take long to discover there are a lot. of. feelings. surrounding treatment plans and medication use. Some believe solely in the natural, wholly depending on things like diet and supplements and acupuncture as a means of addressing their pain. Others will say they aren’t going to trust anyone that’s not in the mainstream medical world and not seek any further treatment options outside what is prescribed by their providers. Others, like me, do a little bit of both. Regardless of the approach you choose to land on, the journey towards finding one you feel good about is guaranteed to be one paired with an amount of trial and error that takes an, at times, excruciating amount of patience. And even then, to actually, truly, feel good about your treatment plan? It’s a rare experience that does not come easy — because nothing, honestly nothing, naturally feels great about needing a treatment plan to begin with…and the fact that one is even needed for something that won’t go away, can easily lend itself to shame.
That being said, at some point, in some way, literally everyone will need a medication. Or to follow a special diet. To need a ride to or from the hospital, or someone to sit with them, pray with them, distract them, or hold a coherent conversation for them during a hospital stay. To need someone else to cook for them or bring them dinner, whether out of sheer exhaustion or simply being overwhelmed.
Pursuing health to the best of our ability is certainly worth prioritizing, and as hard as it may be for something chronic, staying open to solutions to our health issues is incredibly important. However, despite what many influencers and programs out there may try to tell you is the case, on this side of Heaven, literally every single human on earth has a broken body. So maybe…you being the one that can’t seem to find a way to function without the drugs + extra sleep + long walks + magnesium + lots and lots of naps? Maybe you can be the example of humility we all need when it comes time for someone else to need to do the same. The one to remind us it’s okay when we don’t have it figured out. It’s ok…that we need help.
We all need grace. And I think any sort of reminder of this being this case, however painful, is a gift to all that witness it.
