Lake Oswego, Oregon

paper collage

6 inches long x 10 inches wide

My pain began almost six years back as a spot in my lower back. It has now spread down the entire lower right half of my body, including my right foot. Where I used to walk with no problem, I may now need to use a scooter as it has become quite painful to walk. No clear diagnosis has ever been given and I've been through numerous injections, procedures, tests, two back surgeries and have had a spinal cord stimulator put in and later taken out. There has been no relief except at night when I lay down - then the pain completely subsides. It remains a mystery to the doctors I've encountered and I now know I'll just have to live with it. It has completely changed me and my life and I continue now as a different person than I was seven years ago. Pain has that effect - for better or for worse.