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 Barbara Fanning
28 years ago I an adventurous young woman just finishing my dream vacation to the British Virgin Islands. I was young, unstoppable, and full of adventure. So when I lifted my SCUBA tank onto the truck, I didn’t first heed the and felt an ominous crack in the my lower back. 48 hours later, I had no choice: I was immobilized with terrible spasms and excruciating pain in my lower back. After 6 months of hurting and frustration – including visits to my GP, a rheumotologist, orthopedic surgeon, and a chiropractor – a medical technician friend finally snuck me in to get an illicit CT scan at my local hospital. The resulting images led to two surgeries to remove the ruptured disk irritating my sciatic nerve. Unfortunately, the pain stayed.
All these months and years later I continue to search for ways to relieve thate pain. I am supported by friends and colleagues who understand the terrible fatigue and side effects from the narcotics that are required to keep my professional and personal life on track. Unwilling to leave that career behind, and needing the financial input to live the same lifestyle, I work continuously to find new solutions and keep up soul-sustaining friendships. I have redirected my passion and energy into drug discovery research, and am helping train to train others to build full lives despite living with the challenge of persistent pain.
From this difficult journey, I have learned to treasure my accomplishments, my friends, our good times. With dedicated doctors, meds and occasional treatments, I am proud to have built a life worthy of the young adventurer I once was. The challenge of finding accurate diagnosis and effective treatment was excruciating, and often continues to be a tremendous burden. Notwithstanding this, I am thrilled to continue my professional journey, without ever forgetting that the success I have achieved is different from what I had once hoped.
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