A quiet corner for
chronic pain
Keeping you company in the moments you feel betrayed by your body & trapped in your mind
Inspired by
chronic pain fighter & friend, Luigi
“How do you live in pain…every day?” Luigi asked me, stunned.
I was telling him about my +15 years of experience navigating the healthcare system as a chronic illness patient. Dozens of doctors, countless ER visits, so many scans and medications — I know, it sounds kinda bleak.
As we bonded over our shared experience of living in chronic pain and navigating the health system, we found in each other a friend who didn’t need words to understand. And who appreciated the healing power of a cotton candy sunset.
I felt like a big sister to him, trying to share what I’d learned as a patient (and as a caregiver) to help him.
So I’m here to offer that same big sis energy to you. My sincerest hope is that by sharing my experiences, I may save you or your loved one time (and stress). And that you may find some relief and company to keep fighting for your health.
I dedicate this project to friends I already know, like Luigi, and to people I have yet to meet and call friends.
This is also for our loved ones who wish to better understand and help. Your support is essential, and I hope this project can bridge the gap in understanding and empathy.
Your (new) friend,
Maggie
Let me tell you about…
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A fucked up back and chronic pain
From herniated discs to compression fractures and five-alarm sciatica, here’s my journey with ~20 years of chronic back pain. Oh, and a missed diagnosis that almost led to spinal surgery.
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10/10 pain and ER frequent flier status
Preparing for and healing from multiple surgeries for endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis. My treatment in the US and Canada for excruciating pain that’s not “all in your head.”
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Chronic stress eats you alive
I mean, this site is called “stressed sick” for a reason. I learned to meditate my way through emergency rooms and MRIs, and like teaching others the underestimated skill of calming the fuck down.
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Long COVID brain fog and blank stares
COVID melted my brain and made me forget words. Which, as a writer, is less than ideal. Here’s how I fought back against a neurological glitch and re-trained my brain.
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Lyme disease isn't deep in the backwoods
If you start bumping into walls and can’t see straight, don’t just look for a bullseye. Look for the tiny assholes hitching a ride on you (and your pet). Disease-spreading freeloaders.
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Translations for caregivers
This is for the loved ones trying to help, but not knowing how. I’ve been a patient and I’ve been a caregiver…this is how I translate chronic pain for non-native speakers.
Meet Maggie
Hey. Hi. My nickname is Maggie. Or Mags.
You pick.
Thank you for visiting and spending some time with me ☺️
I was inspired to start this project to connect with patients and caregivers who are navigating the complex healthcare system.
I’ve lived with chronic pain daily for nearly two decades, white-knuckling it through school and work and a social life.
This is a site that, frankly, I wish wasn’t needed.
But living with chronic pain or illness isn’t like healing a broken leg or being sick with the flu. When friends or coworkers ask if you’re “better,” it’s hard to explain to them.
In a way, what I’m writing about here are things that I either said (or wish I had said) to my friend Luigi during the in-between times of struggle before stillness.
These are things I wish I could talk about with you, a new friend, in the quiet corner of a coffee shop. Trading war stories of fighting upstream in a broken system that’s failing not just us as patients, but our health providers and communities. Until we can grab a latte, here we go!
Your friend,
Maggie