Nicole Understands Chronic Pain

Nicole Hemmenway understands chronic pain, living half her life with the neurological and chronic pain disorder, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Although the disease went into remission for nearly four years, it returned with vengeance during the beginning of her senior year of high school. A fluke incident causing her to pull two tendons in her right hand resulted in a long and painful nine-year journey through the medical system.

While life became lonely, tiring and redundant, she refused to believe she would be sick forever. She refused to accept the medical profession had explored all avenues and hope in a greater, pain-free future was lost. By no longer allowing the pain to define her identity, Nicole empowered herself to become proactive. Taking control of her own life was the reason she found treatments that fit her lifestyle and body. She overcame her disability to prove miracles happen.

By experiencing firsthand the great strides and pitfalls of the medical profession, Nicole gained valuable life lessons of expectations and rejections. She has lived through the pain, the struggle, the hell. She overcame what doctors told her was a hopeless situation and became a survivor.

Nicole views her pain as a gift and feels privileged to have had access to many medical procedures and therapies others are not. However, with this privilege comes the responsibility to bring to the forefront awareness of the many resources available for the 75 million people living in chronic pain throughout this country.

She has worked in conjunction with the National Pain Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing functional recovery of persons in pain through information, education and support, for seven years. Writing articles for their website and speaking at various medical conferences around the country on their behalf has been a joy for her. She sees every talk as another way to start dialogue between doctors, patients and the health industry.

For the past eighteen months, she has been working with best-selling author and renowned writing instructor Tom Bird. While Nicole has been a writer-at-heart her entire life, using Tom’s unique method enabled her to unleash the writer within her. She turned her journals depicting her chronic pain experiences into No, It Is NOT In My Head: The Journey of a Chronic Pain Survivor from Wheelchair to Marathon.

Nicole Hemmenway has committed her life to becoming a leading voice in chronic pain awareness and an advocate for patient rights. No, It Is NOT In My Head: The Journey of a Chronic Pain Survivor from Wheelchair to Marathon will be her first published book with a companion workbook to follow. Nicole lives in Northern California with her husband, Rick. They have three animals—dogs, Cooper and Lucy, and a cat named Kitty

Wellpatch Migraine / Be Koool

Both of these soft gel pads have worked wonders at relieving some of the worst pain associated with my headaches and migraines. My mom would keep them in the refrigerator so they would be cold whenever I needed them. Even today, I keep these pads on hand. Wellpatch Migraine and Be Koool are found in most grocery stores and pharmacies nationwide.

Emetrol

Emetrol is an over-the-counter liquid nausea medication for children. It has no salicylates, antihistamines, alcohol or caffeine. Although I am not a fan of its taste, Emetrol calms my upset stomach. It has helped me tremendously.

Yogi Bedtime Tea

Just like the majority of chronic pain survivors, I had terrible insomnia. I could not sleep at night because the pain was so agonizing. That changed when I discovered Yogi Bedtime Tea. While I must admit that it does not always put me to sleep, the unique blend of roots, flowers and plant leaves relaxes my body. I seem to sleep sounder and more peacefully after drinking Yogi Bedtime Tea.

To quote Oprah, "here is a list of my favorite things." These are just a few of the books and healing solutions that worked for me and helped me stay positive. Remember, this is my list. What I am really interested in knowing is what has helped each of YOU. Since I will be updating these sections monthly, please contact me with your own personal tips. I would love to feature your ideas too!

Nicoles Reading List

The Empowered Patient
by Dr. Julia Hallisy

To purchase
The Empowered Patient—
visit Amazon.com or LuLu.com

This is a must-read for anyone navigating through the medical system. I gained insight, knowledge and a better understanding of my rights as a patient. Just as the book title states, I felt empowered to become more proactive in my recovery. I highly recommend reading this well-informed book.

The author, Dr. Hallisy, is a practicing dentist in San Francisco, California. In 1989, Dr. Hallisy’s late daughter, Katherine, was born with bilateral retinoblastoma. Dealing with Kate’s life-threatening diagnosis, the many recurrences of cancer, and the unanticipated challenges of hospital-acquired infection and misdiagnosis has afforded Dr. Hallisy her invaluable insight as an advocate for patients. The many lessons she learned during Kate’s life became the foundation for her book, The Empowered Patient: Hundreds of life-saving facts, action steps and strategies you need to know.

The Four Agreements
by don Miguel Ruiz

To purchase
The Four Agreements,
visit Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble

Reading The Four Agreements transformed my life. It changed my attitude about my disease, my relationship with the medical community and my ability to cope with the unknown. I learned how to live my life honestly; I found my authentic self.

In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals how self-limiting beliefs rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, these agreements teach us how to transform our lives so we can live happier and fuller. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best.