I've been reading a little on health anxiety and came across something that said when you focus on bodily sensations they become stronger and last longer. That lines up with what I experience, in that if I keep my mind actively engaged I don't feel any pains, but if I can't I get into a death spiral. And then just as soon as my dog needs to walk or I have something to do, it gets better. It was suggested that to practice putting your attention on mundane things. Which I guess rolls in mindfulness with just staying busy. Right now because of the death of my dog and the last year freaking out about being the same age as my dad when he died, I have illness, death and dying on my mind and I just struggle to engage myself in other things long enough to have full days or even (please, please, please) weeks where things are good. An hour at a time is about all I get. This hour I'm OK. I hope it holds out until bedtime.