I do my best to thank God for another day before I allow the nagging, gnawing pain in my abdomen, knees, ankles and toes to seep into my consciousness. I’m used to it but still don’t find it less irritating every day to wake up feeling decades older than my years.

I hobble out of bed, unsure if my flat feet will hold u my ever expanding body. Intermittently, I think it would be better if I rolled myself onto the floor then crawled to the shower. In the scenario, the hot water beating down on me would do what it often does; relaxes my muscles, allowing me to move around with more ease.

I could pop one of the pills in my treasure trove, actually a makeup case, filled with pharmacy bottles. Yet, despite their convenience, I try to avoid taking anything until I can no longer ignore my pain.

Most days I manage to dress myself and head off to work without the need for a medical solution to the lightning bolts shooting through my joints. However, there are times when even my hair follicles hurt because my pain has migrated to every nook and cranny it can find. It’s then I wonder, trying to collect my thoughts amid a headache that makes my right eye test, how much more I can take? The answer is evident to me. I’ve already endure more than I could’ve imagined and probably can withstand a bit more.

I do ponder how it’s possible that’s body and mind can overcome sometimes excruciating, torturous bout of pain. I suppose it’s because I tell myself, “this too shall pass” and it does, returning day after day; year after year as I find new phrases and prayers to get me through.

About the Author:

Nika C. Beamon is the author of the medical memoir, Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House. In 2009, Chicago Review Press published her non-fiction book, I Didn’t Work This Hard Just to Get Married. She is also the author of two mystery novels. Beamon is a veteran TV Writer/Producer in New York.