Pain

This Too Shall Pass

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 12 Comments

Brutal, cold winds have blown across the Cow Pasture. Scattered patches of dry, brittle grass crunch beneath my feet of a once glorious green landscape. The cows, their heads bent linger underneath trees stripped bare of beautiful canopies, and drink from the trickling frozen stream. Strong and resolute they huddle together and wait patiently for a Spring they know will come.

It has been a difficult month for me. As one of the millions who suffer from a chronic disease, pain has been as much a part of my daily life as brushing my teeth. Unable to take pain medications I’ve had to learn to live with it – most days. Unfortunately, the cold, brittle winds of Winter have taken its toll. Pain once managed have taken me to my knees, robbed me of my daily routines, sleep, mobility, and worse, joy. At times, it’s made me question medicine altogether, my sanity,  and God; but, I am not alone.

“According to data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 11.2 percent of American adults (25.3 million people) have experienced some form of pain every day for the past three months. The study also found that even more people — 17.6 percent ( 40 million ) of American adults — suffer from “severe levels” of pain… Whether the pain originates from an injury or an infection (or some unknown cause), chronic pain often lasts far too long — and can impair a person’s ability to function in and enjoy their daily lives.”

“The number of people who suffer from severe and lasting pain is striking.” Dr. Josephine Briggs, director of NCCIH

I have always been a strong and determined woman. From the time I was a girl,  I looked adversity in the face and kicked. My mantra became, “this too shall pass,” and I persevered.

I am just one of the millions and I’m certain others fare far worse than I. Perhaps, you are a kindred spirit or know someone close to you. If so, I offer my prayers for comfort, relief, and compassion.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Ian MacLaren  – Click to Tweet

It has been a cold, brutal Winter in the Cow Pasture, but I shall not let this define me. Like my gentle companions, I know a new Spring is on the horizon. I will find my reserve and kick.

“This too shall pass.” Click to Tweet

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. I’m all ears and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood,  Pinterest,  Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, Contently, and Instagram. You can follow my reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

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Prayers for Paris

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

2014-04-12 06.29.41What happened yesterday breaks my heart. Having family members  in Paris made it even more frightening. Thank God, they are safe. Unfortunately, more than 100 other innocent people were not and my heart hurts for them and their families.

Today, let us all remember life is precious and can be fleeting, hug those close to you, and lift all of Paris up in your thoughts and prayers. I stand with all of Paris and today.

Intense Emotion Prompt

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

It’s a new year and time to stoke the fires of writing. Here’s an old prompt I came across while doing some housekeeping, and I thought I’d share it. My apologies to the original source, i don’t remember. Enjoy and I do look forward to reading your responses.

A character experiences a moment of intense emotion, either positive or negative. Without going into detail about how the character experiences this moment on an emotional or spiritual level, describe how the event affects your character physically (sweaty palms, tumultuous tummy, percussive hiccoughs). Through this physical response, show your reader the deeper, inner journey of your character.

Here’s mine: Lost Hope

gstatic images

Despair rolled over her like a slow-moving wave, pulling her under. She clutched at her chest as pressure mounted and a kaleidoscope of images tore through her mind. Tears, hot on her face, rolled down as her lips prayed for a morsel of hope. Finding none, she fell to her knees, releasing her pain in screams.

All Clear – Flash Fiction Story

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

 DOWNER MAGAZINE

a broken home for abrasive fiction

September 2012

ALL CLEAR

By: Sheila Good

They invited her into the room because of her expertise in the field, the family, and the doctor’s soft spot of guilt for bungling her case years ago. She stood stoic at the foot of the bed, as the code team applied paddles for the eighth time. Every time they got him back another run of ventricular tachycardia would start and his heart would stop.

“Clear!”

Rigid with interest, she didn’t want to miss a second. His body convulsed with each shock as her eyes darted back and forth from the monitor to the bed.

“Got him,” the nurse said.

She flinched. The paddles had worked for the moment. The team stepped back satisfied. A less dangerous heart rhythm danced across the screen and the steadier, stronger beeping sound of his heart rate were like ice picks to her soul.

The doctor handed the chart back to the nurse and walked over to her.

“Are you okay? “

She cut her eyes at him and waited for him to continue.

“We’ll transfer him as soon as he’s stable,” he said. “Right now, it’s just too precarious.”
She nodded feigning interest. The reality? She couldn’t have cared less.

He glanced at his buzzing pager then back at her. “He seems stable, for now. I need to check on other patients, but stay as long as you like, or if you prefer we can call you if anything happens.”

She crossed her arms, and leaned against the counter. “I’ll stay.”

He smiled, nodded his head in understanding, and gave her arm a consoling pat. “Don’t worry. I’ll check-in on him after rounds. I’m confident he’s safe with you. ”

The doctor left, and she let go, closing her eyes against the onslaught of memories. Alone in the room, she gripped her elbows as the years of hatred roared through her for the man who had stolen her childhood and robbed her of having a family.

She watched the monitor and prayed for the return dance of the V-tach across the screen. V-tach gave her hope.
“You’re here to watch me die,” he said.

At the sound of his scratchy, tired voice, she turned to face him for the first time in years. Her eyes were cold and hard. The beep-beep of his heart rate soared as their eyes met.

She stared at him, refusing to take the bait.

“I know that’s why you’re here. You hate me.”

The effort of talking and the stress of his sins were taking its toll. Short of breath, he fumbled with the oxygen mask, as beads of sweat popped out on his pasty brow, and she heard the stumble of the beeping as his heartbeat began its dance.

She pushed away from the counter and walked silently to the door, glanced out, nudging it closed before returning to the bed. His eyes followed her, uncertain.

Calmness, settled over her as she leaned in close to him, face-to-face. She smelled the fear on his breath and for the first time in a lifetime, felt free.

“You’re damn right,” she said.

– See more at: http://www.cowpasturechronicles.wordpress.com/p/all-clear-flash-fiction-story