I’ve worked in healthcare for 16 years, but it wasn’t until my battle with chronic pain that I realized something fundamental about health: it all starts with you. To improve, you must have the desire to do so.
That determination is what motivated me to conquer chronic pain on my weight loss and wellness journey.
Despite being born with clubfoot (my left foot is bent inward), I have spent most of my adult life feeling healthy, active, and joyful. Walking through life with ankle instability issues has always been a pain, but I never let it hold me back.
I joined the Navy Reserves in 2013 to work as a trained registered nurse anesthetist for children. My left ankle was in a lot of discomfort throughout the physical fitness test because of the numerous sprains, strains, and fractures I’d had over the years. I tried bracing my ankle and living with the agony for months, but I feel that progress is impossible without change. My desire to improve has pushed me to consider surgery the following year.
I had no idea that that was just the start of my wellness journey.
I got complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) following ankle surgery, a type of persistent pain that usually affects one limb (arm, leg, hand, or foot) after an accident. Excessive pain, changes in skin color, warmth, and swelling are thought to be caused by damage to or by the malfunction of the neurological system.
I started adjusting to life with chronic pain, which was quite tricky. I was accustomed to being energetic and daring. I couldn’t even walk, let alone run or play with my dogs. I now work as a pediatric nurse anesthetist at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center, and I enjoy it, but for the majority of 2015 I couldn’t work.
Chronic pain is challenging to detect since it is not visible or palpable. The long-reaching tentacles of this disease gnaw away at your spark for life, which no one can see. As a wife, mother, friend, and coworker, I felt like a failure. Physically and emotionally, I was a wreck.
My Journey to Weight Loss and Wellness
Looking back, I see that I had to travel through darkness to reach the light. My determination to never settle gave me hope. I have continued to try new procedures, even though chronic pain has been a part of my life for more than two years. My doctor worked tirelessly until he discovered a medicine that would finally put an end to my suffering. He employed a technique known as radiofrequency ablation, which involves heating a small region of nerve tissue with an electrical current generated by a radio wave to reduce pain signals.
My original aim was to drop 40 pounds, but I’ve shed 65 pounds in just over a year and feel better than I have in a long time. Some days have been more difficult than others, but I have the best support system in the world to keep me going.
Every step I take is a reminder of what I almost lost, so I kept working hard. I’ve gained a more profound knowledge of the value of being present and involved in life. My entire perspective on life has shifted. Things I took for granted are now treasured, even simply being “there” to assist my children.
Going through a life-changing medical scare put things into perspective for me as a nurse anesthetist. Being a patient is humbling, and all you can do is trust your doctors and nurses to deliver the best possible care. I’ve resolved to combine my experiences as both a patient and a nurse to help the children and families in my care become better and more compassionate practitioners.
I have no intention of slowing down any time soon. I’m confident that I can run faster and be healthier. I’ve engaged a personal trainer to assist me in achieving my next aim of increasing muscle mass and strength. I feel like I’ve been given a second opportunity, and I want to take advantage of it by pushing myself even harder.
I’m on my journey to improve my health, well-being, and quality of life.