Living with less pain

In chapter 11 of CABFM Andy asks the question, "Do you think you are adding to your pain". My answer is no. For instance, I grew up in a family of 11 with one bathroom and developed the habit of not brushing my teeth. I also had a genitic case of having too little space in my jaw for my teeth. This genitic trait and bad habit led to my having major dental surgery frequently and each time any major dental work was done the dentist would give a prescription for pain medication in case I needed it. I am not sure why I grew up needing little pain medication, but it turned out that in the later years when I was given the prescription I never filled it and did fine. I also remember one time when I was a small boy I had a compound fracture where the bone poked out of the skin. Everyone was amazed at how calm I was while going to and waiting in the emergency room for treatment.

Adding to your pain is also associated with one not accepting the situation, whether it be a medical one or just a case of two people having differences. I could never understand why a person would get so mad at something and say it was causing him or her a headache! I guess that growing up poor and the need to complete with my siblings for attention from my parents led me to be more accepting of my situation in life.