Learning about Pain from a Whale!

How in the world could anybody learn about Pain from a giant Whale that blew up in the middle of a busy street overseas?  Yet its true- I happened upon a tv show last night that concentrated as to "why" a huge Sperm Whale suddenly blew apart as it was being taken to a clinic for research to learn why it died.

 I saw the horrible Mess covering the streets when the body opened up, feeling sorry for the Clean-up Crew!  But something kept my attention focused and before I knew it-my lesson was unfolding-teaching me about the early beginnings of my own Chronic Pain.

Dear HH was watching as they showed the process of moving this huge whale from the beach, loading it onto a  truck-seeing cranes bent over, then watching the truck being crushed from the weight, and word sent for a larger truck to safely carry the dead whale.

I recall dear husband saying he thought the whale might have been struck by a large boat, but no real area of injury could be seen.  Suddenly I began hearing the narrator speak about how blood pools under the skin when there is a hard injury- (falling out of a tree and landing on my butt would be a hard injury)  then hearing words like nerve damage, scar tissue and on it went.

For a short moment, I felt like the Whale-having kept my injury silent- the beginning of many mistakes made by me as I chose to ignore that day.  I glanced toward my husband- his eyes were focused on the screen, perhaps this was his moment of gaining a real understanding of my Chronic Pain beginnings-no injuries were seen from the surface, but so much was going on under the skin, with my life changing by the seconds as I ignored daily Pain Signals.

The conclusions for the Whale blowing up was a combination of an old injury to the dorsal fin, ropes attached to this already weakened area, gas filling the body cavity and finally, things had to blow!

Thank God I am still here! Yet my decision making at the time of the fall from that tree will be with me always.  I see my Pain doctor for injections to ease this wicked burn in my butt that runs down my leg and stays firmly planted in my foot-and there is relief from this Pain.  But its not a permanent relief, as she says "Martha, the Burn is never going away. We will do everything possible but you know the answer."

I felt like my sweet Daddy was standing beside her, shaking his head in silent agreement with her, then looking my way, helping me to recall his own words spoken to me on April 21, 2003-"Remember Sister, I told you about that old Leg Pain staying with you for the rest of your life!  Now you be Strong, and ask the good Lord to help you each day.."


Yes-I am left with this burning Pain-but also blessed in ways I never dreamed possible.  My husband stands with me as I walk this Path-falling from the strain of it, allowing my body time to rest from it and then picking myself up again-always asking God for His Help.

God be with all who must suffer with Pain-please keep looking up toward Him, and know I pray for you.

Martha