Another step forward?

I had a phone consultation today with the doctor from the pain clinic, and I don't know why I was so nervous. He was lovely. He listened. He asked. He answered. He reassured. He thinks he, and the pain clinic can help me. He also said he doesn't think I am a "good" candidate for surgery too, so I am very relieved about that. He wants to investigate what it is, and why I don't seem to recover as quickly now from flare ups as I used to, so, until we meet up in person soon, I've got a slight change to my medication routine, and have to monitor my symptoms. If anything changes between now and then for the worse, I am to ring him and let him know so he can address my concerns when we do meet. I actually feel good about this. They want to help me, and I hope they can, but, I don't want to be too optimistic. I can't afford to be, but, this is another small step forward, so I am happier now, and he was pleased I am doing things to help myself, and I need to keep doing those things, just need to be careful not to overdo them as I start feeling better. I have to work with the physio to get stronger to help me come out of the flare ups quicker and better, and keep going with my exercises, and my walking/treadmill, and my swimming. He seemed happy when I mentioned I had done swimming lessons to learn how to swim, because that is a low impact, good exercise, so I was pleased, and so glad I decided to do that.

I am going to give my best to this opportunity, because I need it to work. I can't go on like this, and if I can learn to manage my pain better, I can learn to live better again, and do some of the things I haven't been able to do as well, or at all, since this whole episode began in July last year. It's been a long 15 months. I should've gotten help sooner, but, I really felt like it would just go away after a week or two. Boy, was I wrong... Anyway, it's a good opportunity, and I am going to do my best to make something good happen for myself. I need to do a lot of work, but, if I'm getting good help, that will be easier. So, here's to getting better, and stronger, and being able to kick pain in the arse. Literally.