Monday 5 May 2008

Fun Monday #21

Our Hostess for this week's Fun Monday is the lovely Kitten.

Our assignment for this week is…Tell me about the Super Hero in your life. Not from TV, but anyone that has been or is in your life that you have really looked up to or has made a impact on your life. It can one or many. You can share pictures if you like. Just have fun with it.

If I called the two people that I'm about to mention "Heroes" they would more than likely have my guts for garters!! So I won't call them heroes. What I will say about them is that they are both people who are not only very good friends and people who have enriched my life by being a part of it, but who are people I admire greatly and who both have my utmost respect.

One will only get a brief mention because she reads this blog and I know that she hates any form of public praise or glory. Suffice to say that what she does for the dogs in her care she does because it comes from the heart. To her it's as natural as breathing. And in a world that has a tendency for self-centredness and self-glorification, this is a rare and special thing.

The second is my special friend Niki. On Christmas Day just over 6 years ago, I rang Niki to wish her a merry Christmas. She was suffering a migraine and not feeling too brilliant. The pain didn't go away and got progressively worse. Niki was eventually diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. TN is thought to be among the most severe types of pain known to humanity, and the condition can bring about stabbing, mind-numbing, electric shock-like pain from just a light wind or a finger's glance of the cheek.

Niki has been through three operations to help ease the pain. Each operation has managed to achieve a measure of relief for only short periods of time but has never managed to get resolve the problem. And the pain always comes back. Niki had to give up a job she enjoyed and move home with her parents. She can no longer drive and has to rely on family and friends to get about when she needs to.

She lives every day with your worst nightmare of a migraine-type pain as well as the frequent stabbing pains that are typical of TN. The drugs she has to take to cope with that pain can leave her floating in la-la land and unable to function properly.

Yet she, and her body, have adjusted. Niki is doing her best to get on with her life despite the limitations the pain inflicts. With two like-minded and understanding friends, she is starting a business rehabilitating horses. She has qualified as a Bowen therapist and is a gifted animal communicator. She has learnt to work around the pain. She works early in the morning and then has to go back to bed for a good part of the day.

The last few months have been pretty bad, with the pain reaching new levels of intensity. But just yesterday she was telling me about a new horse that was arriving. "It's just the kick up the butt I need" she said. "I have to learn to cope with this new level of pain and get on with my life".

And that really sums Niki up. When the rest of us would be in a helpless heap on the floor, Niki picks herself up and makes herself get on with it and get through the pain one day at a time. And yet through all this, she still has time for me and my problems and for anyone else that needs her. If she can help, pain permitting, she will.

And I love her dearly.

Now, head on over to Kitten's place and see who else is participating in this week's Fun Monday.


29 comments:

  1. I would consider them as heros too. I also prefer to say I admire somebody for his courage rather than calling them heros. I don't like this word anyway. I also wrote about my friend who I am admiring for how she handles her life.

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  2. They are definitely heroes!

    I am holding her in my prayers...and I hope God continue to give her strength.

    Happy Fun Monday!

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  3. Niki sounds an amazing person, to cope with so much pain and remain cheerful and optimistic is a truly admirable quality.

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  4. Inspiring! Thank you for sharing your friends with us.

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  5. I hope that someday, somehow there will be a better "fix" for TN. I find it interesting that eveyrone has a different definition of "hero."

    I noticed you are reading "Lovely Bones." I listed to that as a book on tape two summers ago while on a trip. I sat in the car far after I arrived listening. Sometimes, I drove down the rode crying. I know not everyone likes the book, but I thought it quite good.

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  6. Your first friend....I will agree, but keep it quiet tho she needs to know that we know of her unselfish deeds! And secondly Niki, who can pick herself up and 'get on with it' is truly heroic.

    My F M is shared.

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  7. Wow. I would definitely be in a heap on the floor as I do not deal with pain well at all.

    Both of your friends sound like amazing people. Thanks for sharing them with the rest of us!

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  8. Anyone who can "get up and get on with it" is a hero.

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  9. These really are heroes. Thank you so much for this wonderful post.

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  10. I just can't imagine that. The things that I take for granted....

    I hope that they do find a way to help your friend.

    Be blessed.

    Jen

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  11. I can't imagine. I do hope that something works!! I had a headache yesterday....I thought it was bad...wasn't so bad!!

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  12. My heart goes out to each and I’ll add them to my prayer list. Thanks for sharing today. I’ve written of my brother at Small Reflections this week.
    Hugs and blessings

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  13. Oh, my.
    I will never complain about my plain old migraines again.
    Thanks for sharing, they both sound amazing.

    Lisa

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  14. they are totally heroes.

    hugs

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  15. Wow, two fantastic examples. I have never heard of TN before. It sounds horrific. As I migraine sufferer I can't imagine having that pain and worse with me constantly. She sounds like an amazing lady to throw herself into helping others and caring for animals. A hero indeed.

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  16. Hats off to her for the strength, courage, and perseverance that keeps her going.

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  17. How fortunate you are to have as your hero a person who does animal rescue. Was she instrumental in getting you involved with the work? As to Niki, how wise she is to try to move beyond her own pain to help another creature who suffers. Hopefully there will come some medical breakthroughs to help her.

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  18. wonderful Fun Monday

    I am praying for her.
    I know God will continue to give her strength.

    Happy Monday.

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  19. she sounds like a beautiful person and a wonderful friend...how blessed you are Angela.

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  20. "I have to learn to cope with this new level of pain and get on with my life".


    That is brilliant and so are you for recognizing her as a hero.

    Great job.

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  21. prayers for them and their special love for dogs and horses.

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  22. What a post! Wonderfuly done and prayers for Niki.

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  23. I have an artical at my blog that may intrest you.

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  24. So sad about Niki but both are true hero if you ask me (those that help are).

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  25. So sad about Niki but both are true hero if you ask me (those that help are).

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  26. I also know Niki, and couldn't agree more with AOJ nominating her as a hero. What she has suffered over the last 6 years is heartbreaking. But even in the darkest moments she has been seeking out ways to help herself, and try to live a relatively normal life. Only recently while I was going through a minor crisis, it was her who gave up her precious time to help and support me - she is a true hero.

    Emxxx

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  27. Yeah, my guy doesn't like praise either so I have to be careful. :)

    Both of thesee people sound like great people to have in your life!

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  28. Im a bad girl and didnt carry out my fun Monday duties this week things have been kind of mental.

    However, having read this im both tutting and frowning at you but also immensly touched. Thank you so much Angela and recipricated my life is so much richer for having you as a friend and the work you do tirelessly for the rescue and the dogs especially the money side in my minds eye makes you more of a hero for your patience. I just keep saying yes to most dogs that cross our path spending the money *giggle* and leaving you to worry about the bills so equally intense.

    Niki well what can I say? She is an amazing lady. Ive only met her once but each time ive felt relaxed comfortable with her and like im with an old friend. She is a wonderfully kind and radiant person and her love of animals shines through. A lady I have much much time for and only hope that one day they find a cure for the dreadful pain she endures daily.

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  29. I meant ive met Niki twice not quite lost the plot yet but if the week gets anymore mental I might!

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