Hello Everyone,
The Pain Diaries is set to make it's world debut in Calgary May 13, 2010 (during the Canadian Pain Society's conference). To make that happen I have to raise $100,000.00 over the next six months or so.
Well, I can't do it all, though I've tried. So we are temporarily moving this blog over to our Facebook Group (The Pain Diaries) in order for me to focus my efforts on producing the play over the next several months.
I think this blog is important, and would love to see it eventually taken over and run by patients, as an important tool for people with chronic pain to be able to reach a community of their peers, and I hope someone will be inspired to step in and take it over.
Until then, please join us on Facebook: The Pain Diaries. We will keep you updated on what is happening and keep some discussions going.
If you are able to help with running the blog, marketing or fundraising for this project, please contact me on Facebook.
Thank you so much for all you support, I look forward to meeting you all on Facebook and next May.
Deborah Nicholson
Friday, October 23, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Mondays with Marlene
In my humble opinion ...
When I was a young mother, many moons ago, I took a winters worth of Yoga at the “Y”, and enjoyed it thoroughly. The slow, controlled movements really worked all of one’s joints and in fact when we finished a class by lying down and relaxing, I often fell asleep. Now that’s relaxed.
I haven’t done Yoga many, many years, but am going to start again this coming fall/winter. I will be starting with some trepidation because of the injuries from the car accident, but knowing there are many different types of Yoga, I will start gently, doing what I can, then work from there. Obviously one of the things I remember well is the relaxing part, which can be powerful medicine. As you no doubt know, there is growing scientific evidence that there is a strong link between our thoughts, attitudes and emotions, and our mental and physical health. In other words, we can use our mind to help manage the symptoms of our chronic condition. That gives us a lot of power, but we have to learn how to use it.
While I was in the hospital last year I had to face the possibility of some pretty serious spinal surgery and a possible variety of results, some not so pleasant. I knew I was going to have to really focus on getting well and keep myself calm, so I asked my daughter in law, who teaches Yoga, to help me with my breathing, relaxation techniques, imagery and anything else she could think of that would help me get through this minefield of possibilities. Cutting to the end of this story, everyone, me included, was amazed at how calm I was through the entire process and how I kept my thinking positive. I visualized my spine healing and myself walking through a forest, or on a beach, which are my favourite things to do. And it worked.
I still have issues to deal with, but every single day, I thank the Universe for giving me another day on this beautiful earth and that is how I manage. One day at a time.
Give thanks and live each day as fully as you can. It works.
When I was a young mother, many moons ago, I took a winters worth of Yoga at the “Y”, and enjoyed it thoroughly. The slow, controlled movements really worked all of one’s joints and in fact when we finished a class by lying down and relaxing, I often fell asleep. Now that’s relaxed.
I haven’t done Yoga many, many years, but am going to start again this coming fall/winter. I will be starting with some trepidation because of the injuries from the car accident, but knowing there are many different types of Yoga, I will start gently, doing what I can, then work from there. Obviously one of the things I remember well is the relaxing part, which can be powerful medicine. As you no doubt know, there is growing scientific evidence that there is a strong link between our thoughts, attitudes and emotions, and our mental and physical health. In other words, we can use our mind to help manage the symptoms of our chronic condition. That gives us a lot of power, but we have to learn how to use it.
While I was in the hospital last year I had to face the possibility of some pretty serious spinal surgery and a possible variety of results, some not so pleasant. I knew I was going to have to really focus on getting well and keep myself calm, so I asked my daughter in law, who teaches Yoga, to help me with my breathing, relaxation techniques, imagery and anything else she could think of that would help me get through this minefield of possibilities. Cutting to the end of this story, everyone, me included, was amazed at how calm I was through the entire process and how I kept my thinking positive. I visualized my spine healing and myself walking through a forest, or on a beach, which are my favourite things to do. And it worked.
I still have issues to deal with, but every single day, I thank the Universe for giving me another day on this beautiful earth and that is how I manage. One day at a time.
Give thanks and live each day as fully as you can. It works.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
My Next Project
I wanted to drop in and give a little thanks to all of you here for your support over the past two years of researching and writing this play. We're starting to work on production now, with a debut slated for May 2010 in Calgary. Stay tuned.
Currently, I'm writing a novel online in a contest. If you're interested, you can check it out at www.textnovel.com and it's call The Full Moon People. If you like it, cast a vote for me by pressing the thumbs up icon.
Thanks for following along and we'll keep you posted on the play.
Deb
Currently, I'm writing a novel online in a contest. If you're interested, you can check it out at www.textnovel.com and it's call The Full Moon People. If you like it, cast a vote for me by pressing the thumbs up icon.
Thanks for following along and we'll keep you posted on the play.
Deb
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Big News
Calgary Writer Wins Prestigious National Award
Calgary writer Deborah Nicholson has won Canadian Pain Society’s inaugural Pain Awareness Award (2009). Ms Nicholson is the author of the Kate Carpenter Mysteries series (Severn House).
Ms. Nicholson, a medical transcriptionist with Alberta Health Services Calgary Chronic Pain Centre (the largest pain centre in Canada), spent a year interviewing caregivers, patients and their families in order to learn about chronic pain and its impact. The play, The Pain Diaries, took another year to complete. In this two act play Nicholson uses humour to tackle the very difficult and misunderstood subject of chronic pain.
She says “I couldn’t stop thinking about these people and their stories, they haunted me. I had to find a way to bring this to the public, so we could start to understand how lives are altered by this misunderstood condition.”
The contest was adjudicated by a national panel of pain experts, whose comments include:
“I would give this first place out of those presented, because this is so powerful. It will be even more powerful when presented …”
“ …the story of a person suffering pain and its consequences for her and her family. It’s told with humour and candor. The hand‐down winner for me”.
The award is sponsored by Biovail Pharmaceuticals Canada and will be presented in Quebec City at the National Conference on May 29, 2009. The play will be presented at the 2010 National Conference, which will be held in Calgary, Alberta. There has also been interest in staging it in Australia, also in 2010.
Calgary writer Deborah Nicholson has won Canadian Pain Society’s inaugural Pain Awareness Award (2009). Ms Nicholson is the author of the Kate Carpenter Mysteries series (Severn House).
Ms. Nicholson, a medical transcriptionist with Alberta Health Services Calgary Chronic Pain Centre (the largest pain centre in Canada), spent a year interviewing caregivers, patients and their families in order to learn about chronic pain and its impact. The play, The Pain Diaries, took another year to complete. In this two act play Nicholson uses humour to tackle the very difficult and misunderstood subject of chronic pain.
She says “I couldn’t stop thinking about these people and their stories, they haunted me. I had to find a way to bring this to the public, so we could start to understand how lives are altered by this misunderstood condition.”
The contest was adjudicated by a national panel of pain experts, whose comments include:
“I would give this first place out of those presented, because this is so powerful. It will be even more powerful when presented …”
“ …the story of a person suffering pain and its consequences for her and her family. It’s told with humour and candor. The hand‐down winner for me”.
The award is sponsored by Biovail Pharmaceuticals Canada and will be presented in Quebec City at the National Conference on May 29, 2009. The play will be presented at the 2010 National Conference, which will be held in Calgary, Alberta. There has also been interest in staging it in Australia, also in 2010.
Mondays with Marlene
In my opinion ...
Sexy, Sexier, Sexiest
There used to be a bunch of jokes making the rounds about foreplay. They were usually pretty crass and we all laughed, especially the women, because often they seemed like a page out of our lives. You know – that old “slam bam thank you ma’am” thing. As we grow older, foreplay is often as much fun and enjoyable as intercourse, and if we’re living with chronic pain, there are times it’s the only way to go. So how do we keep this important part of our relationships alive and well? Good question.
Because of the physical demands intercourse puts on our bodies, it may be time to check out the lay of the land, so to speak. Let’s do what we always wanted to do – try something different; be adventuresome. Try spending more time on foreplay and less on actual intercourse. In other words,” kill the slam bam thank you ma’am” approach to sex. Spending time arousing your partner and giving him/her pleasure while in a comfortable position, your intimate time together can last longer and actually be satisfying. By recognizing that our minds and bodies are linked, we can increase the sexual pleasure we experience through both physical and cognitive stimulation. It sure sounds like fun to me and I know your partner will agree.
There’s lots more to talk about and I’ll be doing that in future columns. In the meantime, my advice to you is practice, practice, practice.
Sexy, Sexier, Sexiest
There used to be a bunch of jokes making the rounds about foreplay. They were usually pretty crass and we all laughed, especially the women, because often they seemed like a page out of our lives. You know – that old “slam bam thank you ma’am” thing. As we grow older, foreplay is often as much fun and enjoyable as intercourse, and if we’re living with chronic pain, there are times it’s the only way to go. So how do we keep this important part of our relationships alive and well? Good question.
Because of the physical demands intercourse puts on our bodies, it may be time to check out the lay of the land, so to speak. Let’s do what we always wanted to do – try something different; be adventuresome. Try spending more time on foreplay and less on actual intercourse. In other words,” kill the slam bam thank you ma’am” approach to sex. Spending time arousing your partner and giving him/her pleasure while in a comfortable position, your intimate time together can last longer and actually be satisfying. By recognizing that our minds and bodies are linked, we can increase the sexual pleasure we experience through both physical and cognitive stimulation. It sure sounds like fun to me and I know your partner will agree.
There’s lots more to talk about and I’ll be doing that in future columns. In the meantime, my advice to you is practice, practice, practice.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Mondays with Marlene
In my opinion ...
My husband and I have just completed a six week “course” on Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions. It’s presented by the University of Victoria Center of Aging and is designed as a self-management program. It covered a lot of topics I was already familiar with, but like most courses contained these wonderful nuggets of wisdom and practicality, and often jolted my memory and reminded me that there were things I could do to make my life the best it can be with the condition I have to live with. The attendees had a variety of chronic problems and believe me, some of them made me happy to have the problems I had to deal with.
One of the most important things I was reminded of was to communicate. Sounds pretty simple, but it’s probably one of the things we all fail miserably at most of the time. Coping mechanisms was also a biggie. We all know that we have to do certain things, but sometimes we put them off or think that missing that stretching routine just once or twice won’t really hurt. NOT!
Something very important for me is to remember to be kind and good to myself. Stop for a cup of coffee and sit out on the patio to drink it. Enjoy the day. Arrange your budget so you can go out for lunch or dinner once in a while. I know it gives me that much needed boost. Take a few minutes to phone or write to a friend. Tell your family you love them. That’s being kind to everyone. Give your husband/wife an extra hug and let him know how much you appreciate his/her support. Say thanks to the grocery store clerk for carrying your bags out to the car and say thanks to yourself for hanging in there and doing the best you can.
Give yourself a little hug and a pat on the back. You deserve it.
My husband and I have just completed a six week “course” on Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions. It’s presented by the University of Victoria Center of Aging and is designed as a self-management program. It covered a lot of topics I was already familiar with, but like most courses contained these wonderful nuggets of wisdom and practicality, and often jolted my memory and reminded me that there were things I could do to make my life the best it can be with the condition I have to live with. The attendees had a variety of chronic problems and believe me, some of them made me happy to have the problems I had to deal with.
One of the most important things I was reminded of was to communicate. Sounds pretty simple, but it’s probably one of the things we all fail miserably at most of the time. Coping mechanisms was also a biggie. We all know that we have to do certain things, but sometimes we put them off or think that missing that stretching routine just once or twice won’t really hurt. NOT!
Something very important for me is to remember to be kind and good to myself. Stop for a cup of coffee and sit out on the patio to drink it. Enjoy the day. Arrange your budget so you can go out for lunch or dinner once in a while. I know it gives me that much needed boost. Take a few minutes to phone or write to a friend. Tell your family you love them. That’s being kind to everyone. Give your husband/wife an extra hug and let him know how much you appreciate his/her support. Say thanks to the grocery store clerk for carrying your bags out to the car and say thanks to yourself for hanging in there and doing the best you can.
Give yourself a little hug and a pat on the back. You deserve it.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
mondays with Marlene
In my opinion ...
Can you believe it? I had a friggin’ hissy fit the other day. Things have been going pretty well lately. I’ve started acquafit classes, which I’m enjoying and seem to be doing me some good; I’m walking faithfully and slowly starting to write once again. All in all, I really have nothing to complain about, so why the “spoiled child” act? Pain and frustration, that’s why. We went to a car wash and I was trying to turn my neck to see what the protocol was, but damn it, I couldn’t turn my neck far enough to read the sign, so instead of just approaching from a different angle, I started pounding on the steering wheel and screaming that I wanted my neck to be normal again. All I managed to accomplish out of that little act was to scare the devil out of my husband and bruise my hand. Pretty smart, hey? Totally grown up and adult, right? Not!
When I calmed down and realized I was acting like a jerk, I asked the attendant to give me the dirt on getting the dirt off the car, got in line and it all worked like a charm. Why didn’t I just do that in the first place? Beats the heck out of me but somehow, sore hand and all, I did feel a little better.
There are a lot of frustrations when you are limited to what you can do because of pain, and I guess sometimes it just has to come out. It’s not the first time I’ve been totally frustrated and pissed off because I can’t do something I want to do, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. What I’m trying to do is actually is accept I’m not perfect and do have the right to sound off now and again, excluding kicking the dog or chasing the postman of course.
Now if I could just get my hands on a punching bag. ; )
Can you believe it? I had a friggin’ hissy fit the other day. Things have been going pretty well lately. I’ve started acquafit classes, which I’m enjoying and seem to be doing me some good; I’m walking faithfully and slowly starting to write once again. All in all, I really have nothing to complain about, so why the “spoiled child” act? Pain and frustration, that’s why. We went to a car wash and I was trying to turn my neck to see what the protocol was, but damn it, I couldn’t turn my neck far enough to read the sign, so instead of just approaching from a different angle, I started pounding on the steering wheel and screaming that I wanted my neck to be normal again. All I managed to accomplish out of that little act was to scare the devil out of my husband and bruise my hand. Pretty smart, hey? Totally grown up and adult, right? Not!
When I calmed down and realized I was acting like a jerk, I asked the attendant to give me the dirt on getting the dirt off the car, got in line and it all worked like a charm. Why didn’t I just do that in the first place? Beats the heck out of me but somehow, sore hand and all, I did feel a little better.
There are a lot of frustrations when you are limited to what you can do because of pain, and I guess sometimes it just has to come out. It’s not the first time I’ve been totally frustrated and pissed off because I can’t do something I want to do, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. What I’m trying to do is actually is accept I’m not perfect and do have the right to sound off now and again, excluding kicking the dog or chasing the postman of course.
Now if I could just get my hands on a punching bag. ; )
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