Good Therapy for CP

Hi All,

I thought I would share with you some good news. Something that makes me feel good.

My youngest daughter got married later in life (38) and after some female surgery was unsure that they would have any kids. She and her husband don't have a lot of money just starting out but seem to be happy with that. We try to do all we can to help without being intrusive. I'm sure you grandparents out there know what I mean.

Well surprise, surprise she became pregnant and had a wonderful baby boy 15 months ago. Now I have something more to work for. The little guy loves going for rides in cars and on bikes (in the trailer). At a yard sale I found one of these electric cars the kids have. But it needed work. I made a project out of restoring this jeep including rewiring and a new battery. We took the jeep over to see the boy yesterday. I just wish you all could have been there to see him light up with his huge smile and giggles. He loved it. All of a sudden my back pain nearly disappeared. I felt great for the rest of day.

I am sure that most of you have experienced situations like that. My point in telling this story is this: try spending some time on a project that not only you get some satisfaction out of doing but one that will give someone else great pleasure. See what that does for your pain. Now I'm not saying that our pain is "in your head" but rather the endorphins and other good chemicals that come from this activity go a long way toward relieving pain. Even if it is a project or activity just for you. But when it is for someone you care about the benefit is multiplied by much more than two.

I just thought I would share that thought with you.

Have a great day.

Modelmaker

Yes, nice story and it is true that sometimes having something to do can take our minds off our pain
for a little while and it seems so good when this comes about...
I'm glad you got this moment, so what's your next project???
Soft Hugz
(((((((((((((((((((((Modelmaker)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hi edt,

For his Christmas last, I made him an old fashioned rocking horse. It took forever to build because I could only work at it in short sessions with my back problems. The next project will be some sort of kick ball game. He loves to kick small balls around his yard so I thought I could make some sort of goal or target or pocket for him to aim for. Help build his foot-eye coordination. Maybe he'll get into soccer like is older cousin (from my older daughter) who is now 11.

In the meantime, I am working on a model of a 1940 Chris Craft power boat. Again, work comes in small increments and the satisfaction really helps to offset the pain. My plan is to continue making a fleet of R/C boats, planes and cars so that when I go I can leave them to my grandkids. Before then, we have some things to play with!

Best.

Modelmaker

The most fun for me is putting my Bachmann On30 Christmas train around
my Christmas tree, and I also have 3 n gauge train sets, even though n gauge is
small I love it the best... Hey Modelmaker I'll take a Spitfire plane if your going
to make em...hehehe....a girl has to try....hehehe

nope never flown a r/c plane, but saw the real spitfire at
Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio and thought it was one of the coolest planes there...
O guage is pretty big sized train, but hold on to it, as the lionel trains even
used can fetch a nice price, but I'm going to hand my trains down, to keep them
in the family. The engine on these trains needs to be lube after so many track miles,
just a reminder..yeah the pain has made it a little harder to put my n guages together
so I don't get them out too often...
lots of soft hugz...
((((((((((Modelmaker)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hi Alan:

This is a great story! First..I think it is adorable that you say your daughter had "female surgery." That is such a dad way of putting it.

Second, I'm thrilled for you that you have a grandson. How exciting!! And how wonderful for your daughter...I'm really happy that things worked out for her after she had to go through surgery.

Third, I completely understand what you are saying. I am taking a watercolor course right now and find that the mind-over-matter effect certainly occurs more often when I'm concentrating on my painting. And..I love, love, love to read...reading is one of my biggest escapes!!

What wonderfully positive posts! My hat is off to you. It is hard to find anything good in a life filled with constant pain, but you have. And I know it has inspired me as well as others.Right now the only thing that helps me is my children. When I hug my son or compliment him on how proud I am of him. His life has changed because of my surgery. He is having to do extra around the house. But when I see him light up at praise, it does my heart good. And my daughter is 4. Last night she came and got in bed with me and asked if I would read her a book. We snuggled under the covers and I read her a book. She loves that. She gets so excited and I love watching the expression of amazement in her face. Those babies of mine (yes, at 4 and 11) are what keep me going. I want to get better for them. I feel bad that my pain and surgery have impacted their lives like it has...Everything seems so different now. But there are moments of happiness. I have to grasp and hold onto them when they come.
Anice