Oct 31 2007
About
Hi, my name is Christy Hammond and I’m a junior at the University of Michigan. I have struggled with chronic pain since 2003 and knee problems since 2000. Pain is a daily and constant struggle, but God has given me the strength to rise above the pain.
The reasons for this blog are twofold: (1) a place for me to just write about my experiences with pain and (2) to provide a collection of lyrics, Bible verses, and quotes that may be an encouragement to others like me who are struggling with chronic pain.
I am working on a book called “Facing Chronic Pain as a Young Adult.” It’s a project that I have felt God calling me to do over the past year and a half. It’s a slow work in progress as I’m a full-time student and also work 15-35 hours/week with my internship. However, it is something I want to do even if the book never goes to print.
I just know that there are so many young girls (especially) on this knee forum that I visit monthly that struggle with dealing with acute or chronic knee pain. It’s hard for those who’ve never been through it to understand how a “simple” knee injury can impact your youth whether it’s middle school, high school, college, or even work. Pain (and chronic illnesses) affect your social life, your school work, your sleep, your work, your mind, and your soul. I want to write something that will encourage kids going through what I’ve gone through or even worse and give them hope when they feel they are in their darkest moments.
Dear Christy~
My name is Jillian, and I’m a junior in high school in Hermantown, MN. I was just surfing the internet trying to find out more information about teens and young adults going through chronic pain when I found this blog site off of a Google search.
Since my freshman year of high school, I’ve been dealing with many different chronic pain issues. I had trouble sitting during class and school was basically becomming a huge struggle for me. After I had many extensive tests done, I found out that I had a bone tumor inside my sacrum which is at the bottom of my spine. Ever since, I’ve struggled to find an answer to my terrible ongoing pain. I’ve been to every hospital in Duluth, MN and have even been down the the Mayo Clinic in Rochester to find answers. Unfortunately, I was left with nothing.
I was forced to quit my sports when I found out I had the benign tumor. Being that I played basketball, soccer, and ran track…this put a bump in the road.
I have attended a Lutheran church my entire life and have had a very active faith life. But for the past two years, I’ve been left with a lot of questions. I couldn’t believe that God had let me down like this, and I had begun to lose faith. This loss of faith has found me now getting help for anxiety and depression which has spiraled out of control due to this chronic pain.
I find comfort in knowing that their are other people going through similar situations to me that have been able to regain their strength through their church life. I am slowly but surely working towards that again.
I just wanted to give you props on writing your “Facing Chronic Pain as a Young Adult” book…I’ve been looking for something like that for a LONG time to help me out. I would also like to thank you on putting together a blog like this. I enjoy reading the things people share about their chronic pain.
I hope things become easier for you as soon as possible… thanks again!!
Sincerely,
Jillian
Hermantown, MN