Posted 5/16/2015 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome knewkneez to the forum and I commend you for seeking help on behalf of your friend and his service. I could not locate the gofund therefore could not get a description of injuries but as a knee replacement CPer I can empathize with the pain issues and as a longtime CPer I certainly understand the adjustment and changes of living a life with pain as a shadow. Unfortunately there's not hardly an aspect of our lives that isn't altered or effected by the pain.
As for advice the best I would have to say is finding a therapist, counselor, psych doc that specializes in working with chronic pain patients. The sooner the better! ! We go through so many changes and losses of the way of life we knew that having help to maneuver the grief an depression thats ultimately coming is imperative. There are also some very good techniques that can be learned such as distraction therapy to help add another level or layer to controlling pain levels. Most of us who have been in this whirlwind of drs, tests, procedures, med changes and out and out living this life have been treated or are actively treated for depression, they go hand in hand simply because of the devastation all the changes bring.
The forum and reaching out for support and advice of others who truly understand is priceless. Helping others on this journey in the way of supporting and caring sharing experiences has been the biggest motivator for many people to keep putting one foot forward one more day.
Good luck and I hope your friend finds his way here at some point so he too can know the healing power of being among others who truly know what chronic pain does to your life