This weeks push outside my comfort zone made my think. Originally I planned to do some crazy exhilarating stuff. And believe me there will be plenty of that too! But this week I had to remind myself that doing something brave could be on a bit more of a low key scale. That it could be something that just pushed me outside my day to day comfort zone.
So this week involves two things. First I sat the medical school entrance exam. Something that is a challenge for the average person, but as you can imagine, sitting on hard plastic chairs from 8.30am to 5pm with a one hour break is hard going for someone with chronic pain. It took every bit of creativity to make it work, some “dancing” in my seat, painkillers on a rota, stretches, and mindfulness. By the end of the day I was almost resting my entire body on the desk. But I did it! 🙂 I can honestly say I sat the GAMSAT and at this point I don’t think I did too terribly.
Secondly I started some new volunteering. I have taken on a role as a crisis supporter. Which is exactly what it says. Now I’m pretty good in a crisis I’m told, so I’m not daunted by this. However the scary part is the fact that I regularly deal with people who are suicidal or who have actually already initiated suicide. This is very daunting! You have only a limited amount of time to be there for someone who cannot fathom a reason for living. It’s not a role with regular contact, so the support you can offer is immediate and urgent. I can honestly say it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
This week I’m grateful for the opportunity to help. Cheesy as it sounds! 🙂
What did you guys do this week that scared you? Something big? Something small?
abravenewweek 
I have been told I am brave by my boyfriend who lives with me and helps me whenever I let him. What he calls brave I call stubbornness I simply refuse to give up. I often do things I shouldn’t and just as often I pay dearly for it. My doctor absolutely refuses me to work ever again. Most of my pain comes from my lower lumbar where I have no discs (a birth defect) , then my knees which have almost no meniscus in either and many bone spurs, I also have diabetic nerve pain, and nerve pain in both my thighs that I take Lyrica for because the pain became unbearable. I am a hot mess but I refuse to lay down and quit. I have a small patio garden I take care of. When I go shopping I walk I don’t care if it hurts and this is not pride. I don’t want to take a motorized cart from someone that needs it more than me. Thank you for following my blog!
Good job outta YOU! As a fellow chronic pain I can relate to the physical and mental stamina it took to sit for that exam. I’m sure you rocked it!! The volunteering is definitely the extra mile. The world needs good people to lean on. You have every reason to feel good.
Thanks so much! Just stepped out of hospital to your lovely comment. Couldn’t have come at a better time. :). Hope you’re pain is on the lower end at the moment! 🙂
Guts, courage, determination, a positive attitude and the will to literally “live life”. Not letting the pain rule you, you rule the pain. Great to see someone else who is proactive with regards to their chronic pain issues. Well done.
Thanks so much! It’s what makes life worth living for me. 🙂
Here in the US, the Med school entrance exam as known as the MCAT. I took that years ago, while I was a junior in college. Never. Again. It was an 8 hour ordeal. And yet, at the urging of one of my docs, I’m once again pursuing a medical degree, only this time it will be as a Nurse Practitioner and not as an MD. I wish you all the luck in the world!
Haha yeah definitely was a long and tedious day. I can honestly say that I’ve had some amazing nurses who have helped me over the years and the impact they can have can be life changing. The nursing profession will be very lucky to have you I’m sure. :). Lots of luck!
Well I’m certainly impressed! (and I just love the idea of this blog!) Congrats on sitting through the whole test and then volunteering on top of that! This week I actually posted a picture of me in pain, I’ve no idea how many people will see it but showing something that intensely personal was certainly brave for me.
Wishing you low pain days and another week of bravery ~
Thanks so much. :). That is very brave of you. Showing yourself at your most vulnerable is incredibly brave! It’s too easy to hide away when we’re in pain. Thanks for sharing with me. 🙂