November 2006
By Rebecca Rengo-Kocher

The weather is getting cooler and fall is here. Many of us look forward to Thanksgiving as a time to be with family and friends. If you have chronic pain, this can be a time of mixed feelings. Yes, you want to have everyone over for a big dinner, but what will that do to you? It’s not worth crashing afterwards; you need to pace yourself to go through all of the holidays. Rather than make a big dinner have a potluck. Nowadays it’s very common to buy a pre-cooked dinner with all the fixings or just the sides that you want. Some are pricey and some aren’t. If someone invites you over for dinner, accept. Do not feel guilty that you’re not cooking. Focus on what you can do and enjoy. It could be watching the fall colors or talking to children about what they want for the holidays. Practice gratitude with people you love and people you don’t know. When you show appreciation it’s very uplifting for you and the other person. Begin this holiday season with your priorities in mind so you can enforce them when decisions need to be made. Read the rest of this entry »

December 2006
By Rebecca Rengo-Kocher

We are fast approaching the holiday season. It’s not too soon to begin preparing mentally, especially if you have chronic pain. We often fantasize about childhood holidays and want to recreate the same memories today for our families and ourselves. Those past memories are often not realistic. Did Mom bake dozens of fresh baked cookies, decorate the entire house and send cards to anyone she knew? It’s not necessary to do all those things. If you want to decorate cookies, just buy the frozen dough and canned icing. If you want to, you can shake on some sprinkles. It’s really okay to not have cookies. Many people are watching their weight and don’t need the extra calories. No one will notice. I remember as a child an aunt I had with chronic pain. She put her artificial tree away fully decorated each year. When the holidays came, she only had someone carry it to the living room and she was ready. Some years, I skip sending out holiday cards. Other years, I only send a few. Be prepared to turn down parties and other holiday invitations if you’re not up to attending. It’s important to know what your limits are and pace yourself, especially during the holiday season. Gift buying can be stressful. Money is the number one favorite gift and I give it frequently. It doesn’t have to be a lot, it’s the thought that counts. Step back and enjoy the holidays. Don’t put any expectations on yourself. It’s a busy time of year. Continue to take good care of yourself and spend time on what really matters, your health.

© 2006 Rebecca Rengo-Kocher. All rights reserved.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who can benefit from these ideas. A life with chronic pain can be lived well and enjoyed

January 2007
By Rebecca Rengo-Kocher

As we begin the New Year, those of us who suffer with chronic pain want hope that this year will be better. We want less pain, improved quality of life and the ability to live as “normal” a life as possible. Those of you who care for us, as both professionals and loved ones want that for us too. We all want it now. I understand I am the same. So how do we keep that hope and motivation but accept our current reality? If we don’t accept the way things are, we are fighting against ourselves. Whatever you truly accept you can begin to change. Read the rest of this entry »

Being a Good Parent Despite Living With Chronic Pain [PDF File] (Originally posted on Pain.com)

Not Defined by Pain [PDF File] (Originally posted on Pain.com)

Day-by-Day: Averie’s Story [PDF File] (Originally posted on Pain.com)

Childhood Leukemia and Pain: A Family’s Perspective [PDF File] (Originally posted on Pain.com)

Alzheimer’s Patients Feel Pain Too [PDF File] (Originally posted on Pain.com)

Aging Doesn’t Have to Hurt [PDF File] (Originally posted on Pain.com)

Know that it is your right as a patient to have your report of pain taken seriously and to be treated with respect. Be as organized and specific as possible. Write out your concerns and hand it to your provider when he/she walks in the door, keep a copy for yourself and go over it together.

Include: (You may also download and print out this form [PDF])

• Where it hurts
• Does the pain move or change?
• How does it feel? (i.e. numb, stabbing, etc.)
• Rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most pain you have ever felt
• What makes it better or worse
• How is the pain affecting your daily life?
• Are you feeling depressed, anxious or irritable?
• What medications are you taking, including over the counter herbal?
• Write out questions and concerns you would like answered.

It will also help your ongoing care and progress if you:

• Keep a file of all your notes in a folder that you carry with you, along with a list of all current medications and treatments. Give the same information to all health care providers, including specialist and any complimentary providers you are seeing.
• Take notes during the appointment. Ask questions. Bring someone you trust with you to help, if it’s too hard to concentrate or you are too stressed.
• Research information yourself. Contact the organization for your diagnoses for information. Talk to others wit the same or similar conditions. Be informed. It’s your right to refuse treatment.
• Give medications or treatments appropriate time to work, but if you are not satisfied with the degree of pain relief you are having, tell your provider. If he/she is not willing to try other options see another provider. Get referrals the same way you researched the diagnoses. Be your own advocate.