Chronic Pain Awareness

Yeah, what you said is true - and I can relate (even though I don't know what on Earth is wrong with me).
People I see pretty regularly at the gym when coaching ask me how my back is, and I either say 'OK', because people don't really want to hear my negative answer, or I say 'The same as always'. Pretty soon they stop asking me how I feel. I'm glad I don't have to keep disappointing people who are hoping for me to get better, but at the same time, when they stop asking how I'm feeling because it's always the same, it's disheartening because maybe it will never be better. *sigh*

And about pushing forward and trying to be "normal", yeah, I do that. The other day when coaching gymnastics, I noticed that the floor was free and my group was on a water break... So I ran and did a round-off, which is a really simple exercise. And while doing it I felt sooo GOOD, but right when I landed I felt really BAD because my mind came back to the pain instead of the thrill of moving. Arg. I have to learn my own limitations... I guess?