Ill

I knew I have been feeling out of sorts the past couple of weeks.

I now realize why: I have a belly ache. I’ve had it for the past couple of months. But I didn’t realize how much it was affecting me. Probably the results of taking an anti-inflammatory so long, due to my shoulder injury. Now it’s getting much worse.

I am amazed at how physical pain affects our mental state.

My life is busy and stuff happens.  But my life is always busy and with a brood of chicks, even grown chicks, something is always going to be happening. The events of the last month affected me more than usual, not because they are more than usual, but because of belly pain. I feel down, critical, out of sorts.

This past weekend Ron asked on four occasions if I was okay. That’s when it hit me: I am acting like I am sick or in pain. This is not how I want to act when he is home. I want to be kind and joyful and loving for him.

But now I am ill.

And Ron is being amazingly kind and joyful and loving. Bringing me foods that are good for my belly. Encouraging me. Holding me while I try to sleep. This is not surprising or unusual.  It’s the kind of guy he is: wonderful, sexy, loving, smart, funny, adorable, hardworking, talented, kind, fun…I should stop now before I make you want to gag. Suffice to say I love my guy!

I am confident that we will get this figured out. I went to doctor Tuesday and she put me a different stomach med. Blood tests are being run. Possibly an appointment with gastro doc next week and a scope. Not fun. But not life-threatening. Just painful. I thank God for good doctors and great insurance.

Here’s the deal: pain affects us. It affects every part of who we are and how we live. 

We often cannot see the pain others are experiencing. 

Many people we see each day have invisible physical illnesses: MS, Chiria, migraines, heart disease, diabetes, and many others. Lots of folks live with chronic pain that we don’t see. Others live with heartaches we cannot see: bad marriage, addiction, grief, poverty, infertility, financial issues, mental illness in those they love, conflict, fears, abuse, and much more

So if someone is grouchy, mean, or simply unkind…give them kindness in return. You cannot know what pain they may be carrying or what challenges they may be facing.  You may be the only kindness they experience today. 


KathleenBDuncan

I write about my life, my journey, my family, and my faith. I am wife to one, mom to seven with one in heaven, and grandmother to many. I am also full-time caregiver to my stepmom E who suffers from dementia due to Alzheimer’s. In my spare time I like to read, travel, crochet, bike, and play with our black pug Molly.

Comments (7)

    • Thank you.

      It does impact me in ways I hadn’t realized. Which made me think about how other kinds of pain impact our attitude, mental capabilities, outlook, and behavior towards others.

      I love how God can teach me things even in a belly ache.

      Plus! My doctor is a sweet godly woman. Her husband used to be our pastor. We had a wonderful talk about what God is showing us in our Bible studies! I love chatting with her.

      • That’s really cool. Always try to look for the benefits. Ive been having a lot of what I thought was hip pain. Turns out it wasn’t my hip at all. So on Monday I’m having an MRI to evaluate for a herniated disc, which is treatable without surgery most of the time, these days. Whew!

        • Enjoy the time waiting. In the doctor office, at the MRI place.

          Time waiting.

          What a gift it can be!

          Prayer, practice memory verses, reading, or simply being still. Making a new friend, encouraging another, try listening to a stranger tell you their issues and showing them kindness.

          Enjoy the waiting. And I pray for answers and healing.

  • Pain definitely effects us, and those around us. We need to pay attention to the pain and what it is trying to tell us. I recently ended up in the ER because I didn’t listen. Now, I’m sitting at home for the second of eight weeks of post op recovery. I was lucky. We need to pay attention before it becomes an emergency.

    I hope you will be fine as soon as they figure out what is going on. Listen to what your body is saying to you!

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