The post last week referenced “Pain on a scale” because that is something that I have been thinking about recently. The pain scale is meant to be a doctor’s way of helping to determine how much pain you are experiencing. However, pain is relative and perception of pain can differ from person to person.
I have been in constant pain for more than 15 years. I had to fight to get from being bedbound to the point that I could even just get up without assistance. Retrained how to stand, sit, walk... literally had to learn everything because my centre of gravity, and therefore balance had been altered. This meant that unless I learned to adjust I was remaining bedbound.
I push the pain all the time and it often pushes back but if I didn’t my life would just be a bed and chair. My family means everything to me so I do little things but always want to do more. I just know that I have limitations and pushing them can have major consequences.
So this is my pain scale
1. Small burn or cut
2. Scalding
3. Migraine
4. More serious burn or cut
5. Toothache
6. Broken bone in hand
7. Always physically uncomfortable to move, any physical exertion needs accounted for
8. Always physically uncomfortable to move plus high chance of getting a blackout
9. Dizzy spells, everything takes a lot of effort and very high chance of getting a blackout
10. Unable to remain conscious, pain causing repeating blackouts until it reduces
That’s the same scale my doctor was using, right? No, very unlikely and that’s the problem.
All my best and love
Ross
Words – Ross A Fraser
Graphic Design App – Canva
