What to do..

I'm not sure it's ever easy. After 27 surgeries, I reckon you could teach us quite a few tricks for living life, managing pain and getting on with things.

I have a "pain" folder on my iPod containing a few songs with very strong, repetitive beats. Eminem's "Lose Yourself" is a great example of such a song. When I am really struggling with pain I turn one song onto "repeat", turn the volume as loud as I can tolerate, lie somewhere quiet, and breathe in time to the music. Eventually it's possible to zen out a bit by doing this, and I find it helps a lot.

I really do doubt you're missing anything. Pain's a miserable experience, and there's little you can do to dodge it.

Are you struggling at the moment?

I take a bath. I like to think it helps the pain but it doesn't it just helps relax me. Sometimes I even fall asleep in it. I also put on some of my favorite songs on my ipod and just blast it. But if it's really bad for several hours call your GI because it could be something else. I am always told I have a high pain tolerance. I waited almost two days once and only went in because my Mom forced me. I ended up having emergency surgery because my appendix was inflammed. So it's better to be safe. Sometimes a good cry is nice too!