The Body Broken: A Memoir by Lynne Greenberg (Random House, 2009).
Why I Wrote This Book:
In one day, however, seemingly out of nowhere, I found myself in excruciating pain that started at my neck and shot through the center of my skull. Months of visits to doctors revealed that my neck was still fractured and that I had permanent nerve damage.
I spent a year and a half as an invalid, trying seemingly everything I could to get better: fusion surgery, nerve injections, medications, pain-killers, acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy. Nothing helped.
One in every five adult Americans lives in chronic pain. I am therefore not alone. Desperate for cures, patients resort to all sorts of options to get better. Lonely, furious, scared, isolated, their lives fall apart. The Body Broken describes this descent and my life three years later, as I am out of bed, back at work and able to parent again.
I wrote this memoir with chronic pain patients and their families as my intended audience. I wanted to reach out to them, let them know that they aren’t alone and that somehow there is a way to regain hope and one’s life.
–Lynne Greenberg
Lynne,
You wrote my story! For the exception that it has taken me 10 years longer to get to the “acceptance” phase of chronic pain. I think that I went through just about everything that you wrote about. I have also since developed many other chronic pain conditions which I believe all come from the spine. Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis and now Erythromelaglia.
I went to an OUTPATIENT treatment center for over 1 month and the only enlightening part of that for me was that WE are NOT Alone.
Thanks for writing this book! You are a beautiful person inside and out! I’d love to contact you via e-mail or snail mail to discuss chronic pain/invisibile disability issues with you and how I might be able to tell my story to others.
Suzy
I have RSD, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. I was a nurse, still am, but haven’t worked in over 5 years. I had a heel spur in my left foot that caused terrible pain up my leg. After many shots and other therapies, my foot doc referred me to a wonderful surgeon who took care of the spur, but he diagnosed me with RSD as well. He said the nerves in my foot had been entrapped for so long, that their response to pain was out of control. The pain remained up my leg. After finding a wonderful pain management doc, he began epidurals to help with the leg pain. When I was in for one of these treatments, a nurse placed an IV in my hand that felt really bad. When I asked for it to be removed, she refused and said I was just uncomfortable, to relax. Well, I began to feel the same pain in my arm as in my leg. I now have RSD in my left leg, left arm and the left side of my face. I occasionally feel the same pain on my right side. So my doc keeps a close eye on me. I feel for anyone in pain. There is never a day that I am pain-free. I get up and do things because of my child, my lifesaver. I wish all of you well. I look forward to reading the book too!
I hope everyone that posts, reads the book and read the article on AOL is able to live a peaceful, positive life. I am not in a similar situation, but have read the article, and really appreciate hearing these stories of strength. I’m sure I speak for those who have not visited this site or have read. Thanks.
I am an ovarian cancer survivor and I had this at age 6. I had a total hysterectomy by the age of 7.
I am 43 now and I have had 2 open heart surgeries and bladder surgeries. The radiation caused this. i am in terrible pain. I had a successful career in Hollywood as an actress, but had to somewhat leave it behind.I am so glad I found your article on aol. It helped me feel like there are others that can support eachother. I am writing a book also and can`t wait to read yours.
Thank you so much, Laurel Wiley
I haven’t even been able to read anything in depth since my accident 4 years ago but I will be getting your book. I fractured c-1 c-2 t-1 and t-7 and my occipital condyle. my doctors are just treating me like my pain is imaginary! Va just has me down as neck pain and no mention of the fractures, my doctor does not feel that it is relevant to scan in my history because my neck is not “broken” anymore so when I go to other appointments they think I am crazy because no one survives those injuries and there is only mention of neck pain. I am so sick of the crazy looks I get when I go see doctors and I am so terrified of becomming paralyzed that it consumes me. I am in tears after reading the article from aol, I am in tears, but they are tears of relief, you are having the exact pain I am suffering. I held it together for 3 years till the army sent my husband away and as a single parent I am not coping at all. I am completely isolated and alone. I honestly don’t have any “good” friends close. right after we moved here I threw my self into school and foster parenting then work and foster parenting, and now I am just trying to make it being alone with 3 kids that we had adopted before the accident and I feel I am doing a horrible job at that because of the pain. Thank you for writing this book just hearing your story gives me hope,
Anna
Lynne’s story reminds me of my uncle Roy Hall who suffered chronic pain from his teenage years until he died of a drug overdose at the age of 45. Roy was brilliant but coped with severe pain as a result of a car accident at the age of 18. His back needed several fusions but never cured the chronic pain he endured. Still able to walk and think, Roy became a medical doctor and practiced many years in Miami and his native Mississippi his untimely death — family members speculate a result of the pain. I am convinced that Roy simply could not cope with the pain although he could function as a medical doctor, raise a family and even play a round of golf, the latter because he wanted to participate in family functions although under a lot of pain. Perhaps if Roy were alive today, he would have received inspiration from Lynne’s book and found a way of dealing with the pain.
While I recall Roy’s story, might I share my own. I needed lower back surgery in 1981 and have, from time to time, had to deal with recurring back pain — not as severe as Lynne and Roy’s however. It doesn’t stop me however from enjoying family outings, and a bit of golf once and a while but only when I strap on my waist brace, take about three Advil and slather on Icy Hot.
Lynne, I am inspired by your book. People do not realize how many of us suffer from some level of pain and how it can take control of your lives. We need to know that we are not alone — that there are millions of people who unfortunately share a life of pain.
God bless you Lynne and I pray for you and all of us who are in pain.
Sincerely,
Bay Proby
Miami, Florida
My daughter went off a cliff mountain biking. A few weeks later she could not sit or stand due to pain. After a dozen M.D.’s and buckets full of drugs, a friend suggested a chiropractor. This specific Dr. had a background in neurology as well and at this point, we had nothing to loose. Since she already had mri’s, xrays etc done, the cost was minimal. This chiropractor had my daughter in good condition within 6 weeks. It’s been two years now, she still visits him every month or two but for other problems. TMJ mostly.
Let me also add. Due to the fact we had to go to emergency on night when the pain was unbearable, she was rejected for health insurance. Because the Dr. did not notice the fracture in her neck, he charted she had a migrain headache.
Lynne,
In September 2008 a tree landed on the roof of my car as I was driving. Although my neck was not broken, I too was in severe pain, and left with very little mobility in my neck. The pain killers and muscle relaxers left me in a constant fog, and I knew I had to look at other alternatives.
I had taken a workshop in Reconnective Healing a few months before, and I knew in my heart, that this was the answer.
I found a Reconnective Healing Practitioner in my area, and I personally experienced a Miracle Healing. I had full mobility in my neck within 48 hours.
I am now a Reconnective Healing Practitioner, dedicating my life to this work. I feel my accident was a gift, which allowed me to experience a miracle,
so I can help others open their eyes to what is truly possible.
My practice is in Mount Kisco, New York. You can learn more about this amazing work and find a practitioner near you at: http://www.TheReconnection.com
Blessings,
Diane
I am a nurse with 4 botched surgeries behind me. I live in chronic pain. Mine is the digestive tract and adhesions. I could go on a bout my story but I wanted to say when I read your book I was just stunned about the same feelings that I have and live with daily. I will never have my professional life back and struggle everyday to feel important in this world. Thank you so much for a moving story. I feel connected to you somehow. Maybe this will help the general public realize what it is like to live with pain and have no end in sight. God Bless you.
Nancy
I’m reading your book now. What a journey! This will, I’m sure, be very helpful for those in chronic pain, if for no other reason than to validate that pain. I am interested in the CD you made reference to by Alan Lake, “Relaxation and Pain Management Strategies.” I’m unable to find any information on it. Could you help refer me to a source for that? Thank you so much!
I’m so sorry for what you suffered and know about it as well in my own life.
I, too, broke my neck. C5. Ended up with Cervical Stenosis, severe and needed a fusion.
I have permanent nerve damage and have gone though the wringer in treatment.
I have been an international dancer and singer in the highest ends of entertainment and my history is on my site:
http://www.annnalisanews.com
I am so pleased you have written about your experiences to express for all of us what Chronic Pain can do to our lives. It is really too much for the mind and body to take in when it begins.
My very best to you and please do not hesitate to contact me and that goes for any Chronic Pain patients.
AM_Panizzon@msn.com
Annalisa
i also saw you on g.m.a. and knew when diane sawyer asked you if you were in pain “right now” and you said you were in terrible pain that we shared a lot in common. i got your book that afternoon and finished it in one day. your story,except for the time differance (i’ve been in chronic pain for two decades!!!)i just joined an on line support group and posted the following:
have been in chronic pain since 1990!!
i had a botched cervical fusion (C-6-C-7) followed by two additional surgeries to correct the instability in my neck
a C-5-C-6 fusion (hip bone) and C-6-C-7 re-do as well as posterior wiring of my spine form C-5 thru C-7
i now have pathology at every cervical level as well as the top 2 thoracic levels
my chronic pain became acute pain about 6 months ago
i have gone through an intense 4 week pain management program and switched my meds
i had never taken an opiate for the past 20 years but now have introduced percoset
i no longer take neurontin or tegretol and heve replaced them with lyrica and ultram
i am still in tremendous pain and think my problem is in the “upper cervical” area…occipate thru C-4 which is not included in a cervical mri
my last mri (october)had pathology at every level but C-2 -C-3 had herniated disc,stenosis.severe facet involvement and on and on
i am a dentist who was forced to give up my profession
anyone out there with a similar story?
i try to “look good” everyday but i am living a dichotomy life….what you see on the outside has now relationship to the intense constant and debilitating pain i endure 24/7 never easing up even for a minute
i would love to hear from you since i underlined half your book and read it out loud to my wonderful understanding wife
by the way….my daughters went to kent place school where arlene gibson was the headmistress (charlie’s wife) i’m sure she would remember our girls
dr. kessler
I have been through a four year period of severe chronic pain and illness. The only way out after trying so many things recommended by so many doctors and therapists involved non-invasive approaches that use frequencies for healing. Pain gone…
Several years ago, had surgery on the left ulnar nerve. The procedure was “successful”, but left me in extreme chronic pain. I finally found a neurologist that prescribed Elavil (Amitriptyline). Off-label use includes relief of chronic pain. It worked.
I’ve had three bouts of seperate chronic pain. A nerve disorder, back pain, and knee pain after arthroscopy. Two of three were helped with a technique known as prolotherapy. See New York Times “Injections to Kick Start Tissue Repair” August 7, 2007. Even years after an accident, it could strengthen the soft tissue around structural damage and provide some relief.
Lynne,
I watched your interview on GMA today. Congratulatons on your book and efforts to overcome this horrible pain.
Our son Jeff II developed chronic head pain beginning at age 8. He’s now 25. Been through clinical trials, Chelsea Head Pain Clinic, many different meds, etc….none of which have made a material difference.
He’s nearly finsihed with college. But pain has precluded attendance in the past 8 months. He’s attempting to get back in and finish.
He’s also attempted to work. But pain creates absenses which have not been tolerated.
Like you if finds those things in life that help distract him from the pain. For example he’s been a day-trader since the age of 14. He’s an athlete and works out daily.
I hope your book heightens awareness of this trouble. Far too many people do not accept his severe pain as something that precludes his participation in school or work. We have sought financial assistance from social security and their response was he did work enough to qualify for benefits. The point is that he has not been able to work!
Bless you for putting your life and lessons in print. I really hope it helps others.
Jeff Sr.
I don’t have physical chronic pain and can’t imagine what it’s like to live with it indefinitely. But the pain that I have is sort of a different nature, more mentally rooted than physical, but nevertheless chronic. Pain is certainly not all in the mind. It is meticulously tied to the delicate fibers of our bodies. But pain, when it is perpetual, seems to wring the life out of our luscious existence. God! why are we so delicate and fragile?
I look forward to reading your memoir.