Hi Gentle Lamb,

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with multiple medical issues! I can sure understand that it's hard to bear sometimes. Like you, my husband has multiple medical issues that include severe arthritis, degenerating discs, and an autoimmune disorder that causes spinal deformity (among other medical issues). He deals with chronic pain daily as well. So I can empathize with your situation.

What has helped my husband a great deal is the following:

1. Recognize and accept your limitations. Take good care of yourself re: diet and sleep. Do not feel guilty that you can't do the things you used to do.

2. Take one day at a time. Do not let yourself dwell on how much pain you might have later, or how much you might suffer in the future. Nobody knows what might happen between now and then. Researchers are constantly working to discover better medications and methods to reduce pain. It's possible by the time your pain worsens, you will have an effective way to manage it. Don't torture yourself with fears about the future because by doing that, you are missing life in the present.

3. Think about what you still "have" to be happy about, rather than what you don't have or can't do because of your medical condition.

Also, I have a great Bible-based publication that discusses why God allows suffering now, and what hope the Bible holds out for the future. In a nutshell, it tell how under God's Kingdom, all human ailments will be healed, along with the physical pain and emotional suffering that accompany it. If you want it, you can PM me and I can mail it out to you or provide you with an electronic link to it. If you're not interested, that's fine too.

Stay strong, you can do it! And a little bit of ice cream or chocolate never hurts either. . .