„The Course of My Life“ (N°7)

I am a cheerful, joyful, energetic and optimistic woman, despite the difficulties I faced during my life. My father passed away while I was still in School. Therefore, I never fulfilled my professional plans. Despite this, I was always self-confident. I decided to build my future by having a family. I am the mother of three children and it is, in my opinion, the most beautiful job in the world.

But destiny put me to the test again when my 8 year old son had an accident. The doctors gave me the diagnosis: fractured skull, fractured thigh bone, 2 to 3 months in a coma, his life was in danger.

I used to visit him full of courage and optimism every day to help him struggle for life. After 2 months, he opened his eyes and said. “Hello Mom”. Strength, perseverance and hope allowed me to win this battle with my son. After 15 years of effort and patience, he became a mathematician.

I was then happy and satisfied with my life. I had a job out of the house and shared good moments with my husband and family and especially with my granddaughter, who is my principal joy.

In January 2002 my life changed for the worse. I was hospitalised for intestinal surgery. I had a partial intestinal ablation and 8 months later I still felt abdominal pain, so I had a new intervention. This happened two times. After all the surgery, I had very strong inguinal pain which would shoot through my back and leg. It was sometimes unbearable. I couldn’t walk anymore, I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t go out anymore and I couldn’t do my chores. My health worried me; I thought I would never get better. My Doctor asked me to go through a scanner which revealed a narrow lumbar vertebra canal. Consequently, I had back surgery, but the pain remained. I was more and more worried about my health; it was like walking on a path with thorns and stones.

Seeing me worried, my doctor sent me for an ultrasound of my left inguinal region; the diagnosis was wounded nerves due to surgery. From there on, I was referred by an anaesthetist to visit the Somatosensory Rehabilitation Centre at the Clinique Générale.

I followed treatment for 2 years[1] with Mr. Spicher and collaborators. That period was very difficult, the treatment was long, the situation improved little by little.

Today, I can say that I made progress every week and I believe my pain will disappear totally before the end of treatment, which is very close. I am now walking on a path with rose petals and soft things. The sun is shining in my heart again. I hope to continue my life with my family full of joy and love, especially with my granddaughter that I love with all my heart. She gave me the strength to fight against pain.

A big thank you to the ones who listened to me and gave me the hope that I would recover.

Christiane

[1] Redactors note: treatment from the 05.10.2005 to 9.6.2006 ; voluntary interruption ; taking over of treatment from the 14.09.2006 to 13.06.2007