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As a sufferer of chronic pain, I was very interested in reading Hurting Like Hell, Living With Gusto by Victoria Stopp. The title captured my attention…Living With Gusto? Have to find out how she does it.
MY REVIEW
Be proactive in your treatment.
That is probably the biggest tip that Victoria Stopp shared in her book, Hurting Like Hell: Living With Gusto.
I find that doctors don’t always tell us what we need to hear. Do we not ask the right questions? Being knowledgeable about your problems can make your doctor visits and treatment better, helping you by being involved in solving the problem, or coming as close as possible.
Pills treat the symptoms, but are not a cure. Victoria knows that all too well, as do we all, if you think about it. It’s hard to ask for help for something as simple as making a bed, so too often she paid the price for doing it herself. I’m sure a lot of us have done the same thing. I know I have.
Pain affects every aspect of her life, my life and maybe even yours. What is it like to not feel pain? I know Victoria would like that answer and so would I. It’s so easy for me to relate to her story, because I too suffer from chronic pain and am searching for answers. I don’t know what it would be like to have no pain. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lay down to sleep, no tossing and turning, and get more than three hours at a time. To be able to do something as simple as turn my head without pain stopping me in my tracks. To be able to look up, without stabbing muscle spasms.
Options, options, options. Seek out ones that work for you, and that is what Victoria Stopp has done. Victoria shares her thoughts and experiences about living with pain and keeping your love of life alive.
I have much respect and admiration for Victoria Stopp. She has a passion for running and life, and no pain can ‘Stopp’ her. She does live her life with gusto! Nothing stops her from living her life to the fullest and seeking out the answers that will work for her. This book confirmed for me that I am not alone in my suffering, that it is possible to do the things I love to do, and be proactive in finding answers that make my quality of life better. I love that she has not lost her sense of humor and it shows in her writing style.
Victoria shares some references to books that have helped her improve her quality of life. I will definitely be checking them out.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Hurting Like Hell: Living With Gusto by Victoria Stopp, supplied by her publisher, McFarland.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
“Tuesday morning, I spent an hour with a neurologist trying to figure out why I kept tripping over my feet. He pushed and pulled on my legs, whacked me with a reflex hammer and shone a light so deep into my eyes I thought it might illuminate the wall behind my head. That afternoon, I drove home and ordered a new backpacking tent.”
Pain is an unforgiving equalizer—forget social status, race or gender. For people suffering from chronic pain, “real life” can get lost among endless appointments, diagnoses, prescriptions and medical bills. Living a life beyond mere survival becomes as big a battle as fighting the pain itself. Drawing on her experiences as both a patient and a healthcare professional, the author candidly describes her sudden transition from a healthy, active lifestyle to years of learning to live with debilitating pain.
ABOUT VICTORIA STOPP (from her website)
Victoria Stopp is the author of Hurting Like Hell, Living with Gusto: My Battle with Chronic Pain. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications since she was a teenager. Stopp prefers to be outdoors and is often in the company of a dog or three.
This sounds like an uplifiting and informative book – I’m glad you found it helpful:)
Thanks Sarah. It’s odd how I have ignored diet…ya know, all those processed foods and sugar.
As someone who lives with chronic pain and issues I know all to well how important it is to keep digging and trying new things, particularly non-medicated options.
So true. Medications only help the symptoms, not cure the problem. Sometimes they even create more problems that we had before. Take care, Kim.
Good summation, Sherry. I am blessed not to live with chronic pain, but headaches and migraines are a real thing so I love seeing someone’s advice on how to live life full out while still dealing with pain.
Victoria is an inspiration and opened my eyes to the importance of diet and being proactive with your health needs, whether it’s about chronic pain or something else. Knowledge is power.
I’m glad you came across this book and it proved helpful, Sherry. While my constant pain is more of an annoyance, I know I know it will worsen with time. I’d love to read this too.
Victoria amazed me. The title living with gusto surely applies to her. There are some helpful suggestions, like exercise and diet, that I am sure many of us overlook.