When you're in pain or sick, what do you still care about?!

When you're in pain or sick, what do you still care about?

I'm just curious :) I've got a chronic illness, and I've noticed that when it gets bad it's hard to feel much - emotionally, I mean. I quit caring about boys and sex completely, but I also can't hold on to things like anger, and that's nice. I think maybe all I can still feel is low-level love for friends and family. A nice thing to be left with, I guess :]

Do any of you feeled "dulled" like this when you're in pain? Anyone up for sharing?

I'm a Registered Nurse, worked as an EMT/Firefighter and suffered for many years with chronic pain myself. In my profession, I have heard (from numerous clients) a very similar description re what they go through. Personally, I can tell you that my chronic pain effected every aspect of my life. I was often sleep deprived and drained of energy (due to constantly having to cope with pain) even when I slept well at night. I lost my appetite, my sex drive and had "a short fuse"/little patience. I found myself irritable, depressed and frustrated. I attacked those I loved and my perception of the world and myself became negative. I isolated myself from most people and most activities. Then...the apathy ("dulled") came in to play... I absolutely empathize with you! I'd love to share what has helped myself as well as some of my patients rgs to chronic pain and what you have described. Please feel free to visit my profile and email me if you are so inclined. I will share this one thing now: I found that making friends with my pain - - "holding hands" with it -- helped at times (more than attempting to distract myself from it). I began to see my pain as an indicator of what needed to be healed and then "took myself" to the pain - ultimately to the place in my body that needed to be "loved" and healed. I've done something similar with my anger. One of the gifts I received from my chronic pain was learning how to sit with myself, know myself = inside and out -- my limits, my strengths, my fears, my deepest needs and desires. You seem to me like a woman of strength not just because of the pain you endure but because of the choice you are making to "be real" and share with all of us. Thanks:) I wish you less pain; I know you will find your way through this.