17 Comments
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Kate Bown's avatar

Dear Lucinda, I hope the pain begins to settle and you are able to do the things that you love once again. Pain can be terribly consuming, and I too am coming back into the light after a tough few months of back/ pelvic pain. I am finally beginning to write again. Thanks for sharing how you are finding strength. I will listen to your song tonight. All the best, sending a big hug from Tasmania.

Kate x

Lucinda Bain's avatar

Thank you Kate, and I’m so sorry you have also been experiencing pain and discomfort. I did wonder if you were ok. I hope you are able to continue to write and things begin to return to normal for you 🩷

Alia Parker's avatar

I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering, Lucinda, and wish you a wholesome recovery. Your description sounds excruciating, to be in so much pain that reading evades you. How beautiful it is for your husband to read to you. Rest and take care. A x

Lucinda Bain's avatar

Thank you Alia, it has certainly been unexpected! Thanks for your kind message 🩷

Bronwyn Birdsall's avatar

Take good care of yourself, Lucinda - I always enjoy your newsletters, and you've written so beautifully here about that tender place. Hope your recovery is swift x

Lucinda Bain's avatar

Thank you Bronwyn, it’s lovely to hear from you here. Thanks for your kind words 🩷

David Kirkby's avatar

Sending best wishes for healing, Lucinda.

By coincidence, my wonderful partner, Meg, is also struggling with a neck injury - two cervical disc bulges causing severe nerve pain in her arms. Like you, she is working through the lengthy process of diagnosis and treatment.

Hoping you get through this soon.

Best wishes

Dave

Lucinda Bain's avatar

Thank you Dave - that is exactly what I have too, though due to having weakness in one of my arms the prognosis isn’t looking great at the moment. Wishing Meg all the very best - it is quite the shock and the pain is horrendous. Sending love, L

David Kirkby's avatar

M sends love back. Yes - the pain is severe and constant.

20 years ago I had the lumbar spine version, with severe sciatic pain and difficulty standing and walking. M took such wonderful care of me and I am trying to do the same for her…. while feeling helpless about the pain. No doubt your Husband feels likewise.

On the plus side, I did eventually get my back fixed, and I restored near normal function - largely pain free. I am hopeful of the same for you both.

Dave

Sally Gillespie's avatar

So sorry Lucinda to hear you are dealing with such severe pain, you sit here with it in this piece with much graciousness and curiosity, something I wish to learn to steady me with my less than perfect aging spine. Vesper Flights is such a beautiful book perfect for reading out loud

Miranda Luby's avatar

So sorry to hear you’re in so much pain, Lucinda! I feel this deeply, as I’m 10 months into the lower back version. I keep thinking I’ve stopped fighting it, only to discover I’m fighting it at a more subconscious level ha.

I read this gorgeous quote from Thoreau’s journal this morning:

‘Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Be blown on by all the winds. Open all your pores and bathe in all the tides of Nature, in all her streams and oceans, at all seasons. Why, "nature" is but another name for health, and the seasons are but different states of health.’

Sending you love in this season, which will pass xo

Lucinda Bain's avatar

I’m so sorry to hear that Miranda! It truly is the most horrible pain. And since coming out with mine I can’t believe how many others are also dealing with variations of disc issues. I hope you find some resolutions 🩷 Also that quote is completely divine and I’m going to be copying it down to refer to, thank you xxx

Miranda Luby's avatar

Yes, it’s so very common! You can see it in people’s expressions, that they understand the pain. Thank you, and I hope you recover quickly. We’ll be more grateful than ever when we’re back on the hiking trails 🌲 xx

Meg Dunley's avatar

That is such a beautiful quote Miranda. I’m sorry you are also going through so much pain. Wishing you peace and calm with it and a speedy recovery. Xx

Miranda Luby's avatar

Thank you, lovely Meg. I hope you’re well xo

Meg Dunley's avatar

Thanks Lucinda for this post and the links to your playlist and the meditation track. I have the playlist on now and it is so beautiful and calming.

Wishing you a swift and gentle recovery from your pain. It sounds awful and I’m reminded of my life some years back when pain dominated my life. Pain is an old friend of mine and has risen and fallen over the years.

Years ago my neurologist recommended a book written by neurologists called Explain Pain. Through this and his gentle counsel I learnt about what pain is and how to manage it, and my life improved tenfold. Learning to not be up against it, to know when my brain and body are needing to rest and to use mindfulness was a breakthrough.

Take care dear Lucinda.

Much love, as always x Meg

Lucinda Bain's avatar

Thank you Meg for your kind and reassuring advice. I will look into the book, and I'm so glad you're enjoying the playlist. I add to it every now and again so it will continue to grow. xx