Despite pain, every day is a gift from God

February 7, 2005

Re:   We must do more to help relieve chronic pain, Feb. 2.

I would like to rebut the points Angela Rancourt made in her letter   [ed. note: referring to her letter in the Ottawa Citizen regarding Marcel Tremblay's suicide].

I have had chronic debilitating back pain since 1984.   I had surgery in 1987 to alleviate the pain but the surgery went wrong and I finished up with worse back pain -- plus fibromyalgia.   I have had asthma for the last seven years.

Even so, I do not wish to be included in the "we" Ms. Rancourt described as needing more pain medication.   I do not believe in being drugged into a stupor to alleviate pain.   To me, that offers no quality of life; you might as well pull the plug like Marcel Tremblay did.

I know many other pain sufferers who feel as I do.   I have no wish to appear either as a hero or a martyr, but the way I see it, you can either decide to sit in a corner and feel sorry for yourself and moan about what you cannot do, or you can make a conscious decision to make the best of what you have and get on with it.

Sure, chronic pain robs you of the ability to do lots of things that you used to enjoy, but there are lots left and you just have to find them.   Many days, I have to literally crawl on hands and knees from my bed to the bathroom.   However, I still revel in every day the good Lord gives me.   When I leave this life it will be kicking and screaming.   Death will not get a helping hand from me.

Life may not be the party we hope for, but while we are here, we might as well dance.   Every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special to do so.   Every day, every minute, every breath, truly is a gift from God.

Pat (last name removed for privacy)

Ottawa