As part of For Grace's 2020 focus on the chronic pain-cancer connection, we're spotlighting themed stories for our Share Your Story page. If you're experiencing or have experienced both pain and cancer, please submit your story with a photo so we can feature it as a Story of the Month. Thank you in advance for helping us bring to light this under-appreciated connection - and please send submissions to forgracewip@yahoo.com.
Inspired by For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint's Twitter Chat feedback, Stanford University's Pain Medicine department has launched a survey that seeks input from chronic pain patients and others about the term "pain catastrophizing" - a phrase that has near universal disdain from the women in pain community. Please take this short survey to have your opinion heard. And please read this 2016 National Pain Report article by Toussaint which puts this issue into perspective.
Check out For Grace's June Story of the Month as we continue our focus on the pain-cancer connection. Henry Contreras had already been wrangling with disabling chronic pain resulting from a job-related injury when colon cancer came knocking. Though grateful for a successful surgery, Henry experienced far greater pain due to the procedure. When he asked his physicians how to manage this "double scoop" of pain, he was frustrated by their ignorance about what to do. Fortunately, the surgical pain lessened after many months. Still, Henry wishes doctors better recognized how cancer treatment can adversely impact preexisting chronic pain.
Woman in Pain Sasanna Yee is a contributor to the enlightening essays that make up Practice: Wisdom from the Downward Dog , a book that promotes the connection between mental and physical wellness. Partially inspired by Cynthia Toussaint's story, Sasanna shares how early life trauma prevented her from attaining joy and recovery from physical pain. Through the practice of movement and a healthier way to relate to her emotions, Sasanna found the peace to move on. Toussaint contributed an endorsement quote and we highly recommend this powerful read.
