Poppies in France
I watched an interesting programme on the television about people who have serious arthritis, a debilitating illness. Years of running up and down mountains has meant that I am one of those very unlucky people who suffer daily the pain that comes with. I cannot complain of course, I chose to run up mountains and incur broken bones and such. No matter how much advice I was given I continued and still do.
This programme was about an experiment that had been carried out. Two groups of people had be selected both very similar in structure and severity of illness. One group continued with medication alone, while the other group was given a gym membership and a schedule of exercise. The exercise was not strenuous but regular. After a six month period the initial testing was carried out again. It was no surprise for me to learn that those who had been on the exercise regime were now using less medication and suffering less pain than those who had just carried on with medication and pain relief.
I tell you this because yesterday in the course of the day I met three people who commented on my stupid practice of running every day, their words not mine. Each of them went on to tell me that because of the pain they had they could not do it.
I read a story of two oncologists, talking about a similar test. One complained bitterly, "You know, Bob, I just don't understand it. We used the same drugs, the same dosage, the same schedule and the same entry criteria. Yet I got a 22 percent response rate and you got a 74 percent. That's unheard of for metastatic cancer. How do you do it?"
His colleague replied, "We're both using Etoposide, Platinum, Oncovin and Hydroxyurea. You call yours EPOH.
I tell my patients I'm giving them, Hydroxyurea, Oncovin Platinum and Hydroxyurea and I call it “HOPE.”
As dismal as the statistics are, I emphasize that we have a chance."
I rejoice in the many friends I have met here in blogging who have such an attitude and persevere creating marvelous work, some under much pain.
It is all a matter of attitude and of course HOPE. I am off to take two painkillers and run my morning eight miles run. Have a great day.
This blog is linked to my other.Poppies in France
Well some of us think it is fantastic that you run everyday--I certainly do! Those people are very jealous of you, I think. Love your poppies painting! I take Aleve. Do you have Aleve in Scotland? Works like a miracle for me!
ReplyDeleteME TOO! Ralph, me too! There will be plenty of time for sleep when this is all over, for now there is just too much to do! I am to the point now where I take my pain pills if I remember them and sometimes I forget. Living is about LIVING, not curled up in an easy chair, complaining about aches and pains and waiting! Today will be a Great Day, I know it will. It is my choice.
ReplyDeleteLove your posts and this one in particular, Ralph ... interesting how something so simple can make such a huge difference - I am proud of you for continuing your running and enjoying your stories - I am taking my pain pills too and able to ride my bike and do the garden and am painting with you ;)))
ReplyDeleteI am sailing in the same boat and I manage well because I think that the pain is in the body and not in the "mind". I am able to observe the pain and let go! I loved your poppies painting, it is beautiful!
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