click "Chronic Pain" for Chronic Pain - Awareness & Advocacy
PnP Authors Magazine
PnP Authors magazine was published between 2015 - 2020. I wrote monthly articles on management strategies from a lived-experience of chronic pain. Even though as a columnist for this magazine has ended, I haven't stopped advocating and writing about chronic pain management. Further details can be found on Chronic Pain page.
In July 2015 I wrote my first Suzanne's Corner column, 'Isolation – not just a writer’s sanctuary', for PnP Authors online magazine. Each month from that time I've written about various aspects of chronic pain from various perspectives: What is it like living with chronic pain? How does a person cope? Perhaps you are family or a friend to a person with chronic pain and it's all confusing. Or, maybe you are writing a story, fact or fiction, and wanting some insights into coping and living with chronic pain. How is brain fog different to writer's block? I'm not writing as a health professional just someone who likes writing, and has had chronic pain of varying types all my life.
Two examples:
In July 2015 I wrote my first Suzanne's Corner column, 'Isolation – not just a writer’s sanctuary', for PnP Authors online magazine. Each month from that time I've written about various aspects of chronic pain from various perspectives: What is it like living with chronic pain? How does a person cope? Perhaps you are family or a friend to a person with chronic pain and it's all confusing. Or, maybe you are writing a story, fact or fiction, and wanting some insights into coping and living with chronic pain. How is brain fog different to writer's block? I'm not writing as a health professional just someone who likes writing, and has had chronic pain of varying types all my life.
Two examples:
Some responses from readers over the years:
Suzanne helps me deal with my own pain each day. I never know what each morning to going to bring; pain or just tired. There are times when I feel I can't take another year of this that has been strapped
on me. I gotta tell you Suzanne, you help me for several reasons; first one for a feeling that someone
else is going through what I am, and second enough strength to get up and get out when I don't feel
like it or fear it.
Rebranding’ by Suzanne was excellent - "Coping with and developing strategies to deal with pain and other symptoms long-term opens a whole new approach to life. Some people find a ‘pain diary’ or journal works. This requires a release, perhaps information that may be helpful for your health professional, rather than focussing on what’s wrong. Looking at the first entries and the last to see a smidgen of progress or other ways that you use to overcome each challenge." This not only works for pain I bet, but it can work for many other things going on in a person's life. I for one have losses and just reading what you've written Suzanne, makes me stop and realize that it can work for me too; even without physical pain. Thank you so very much Suzanne. Bless you.
Suzanne, I had to respond immediately to your article this month without waiting for June's issue. I'd like to thank you for being so gracious about informing all of our PnPAuthors about these illnesses. No one knows about this because it is kept quiet, but your article each month informs us of yet another thing we ALL should know. (Editor)
I am enjoying all of the magazine so very much, but Suzanne's column is really benefiting me.
Suzanne is very helpful with her columns. Helps me to feel better about my own illnesses.
What a life saver Suzanne is to me and my family. She brings light into our home and faith that it will get better with a good reflection of life. Thank you Suzanne.
(Coping with festivities and gatherings article) Suzanne, great enlightenment. Should be in all medical journals because it comes from someone who has an inside.
Suzanne, I enjoyed your ‘trip story’ so much that I had to read it again. Thank you for sharing such courage and insight. It made my day and gave me energy all day, and on top of that; I went for a walk in the park and discovered my aching joints felt okay to do so. It has started me on a journey of doing this every week.
Suzanne, when you wrote in your column to not worry when others think what is big to us may seem small to them, that made me smile because it happens so often when I tell my story of how I got past an illness. It does indeed take courage to take that first big step and by the way, I so look forward to your columns each month. Thank you.