It has been a dream of mine for years to get my voice and blog online to help others who were looking for answers and support to this horrific disease. Despite not being a tech-savvy person, I have been determined to create this blog. I started several times under different names but either couldn't complete the setup or my condition kept me from being able to work on it. My goal is to create a place where those suffering from TN and their caregivers can hear my story, find hope, and connect with others seeking answers. I aim to be an encouragement and offer honest insights based on my personal experiences. It can also be a place for you to direct your loved ones, friends, and coworkers to when they clearly are not able to relate to the type of pain you are talking about. " If it's not fatal, then Why can't you get better?" A question I have been asked many times. Hopefully my journey and experiences can help to make you feel heard, understood, and even find quicker results.
Why Now
Finding Purpose in the Pain
My Journey with Trigeminal Neuralgia
The search for answers and support
Like many of you, when I received my TN diagnosis, I immediately turned to the internet for answers. I was diagnosed over 15 years ago. One of the first things I read was the term "The Suicide Disease." After 28 doctors, the diagnosis was a relief, validating the unbearable pain I was experiencing. The nickname also came with fear that maybe I would NOT be ok! I longed to find someone sharing their story. Fifteen years later, there's much more information available which gives me hope that a cure is coming soon. For now I still hope to provide a personal perspective on how TN drastically changed my life and the importance of support.
"I want my readers to know that I have been at the lowest and scariest points in my journey with TN. I have walked through seasons where I have actually begged God to just let me die because it is too unbearable."
I praise God that he has not let me go! I am still here and pressing on through his grace and strength'
- A Pain in My Face
Sharing the darkest times
One of greatest forms of therapy for me has been journaling. I started the habit many years ago. It helps me to be able to keep track of the good and bad days and sometimes even helps to discern new triggers. I want to not only share with you my ongoing status and treatments but to also go back and open up some of my earlier journal entries so that you can hear from me during some of my worst moments. I know I have seen some people question on other sites if they could share more about what their early symptom days were like. I know they ask this because it can be easy to forget how bad you used to be and when improvement is often very gradual. We often wonder if anyone else ever had these horrible thoughts or did they struggle to help their loved ones to "Get it?" So, I will go back and open up some of the scarier and darker times on my journey. The good news is, that I'm still here today and I am praying that I can encourage you on this journey no matter what stage you are at or even what your chronic pain might be.
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