“What comes as a blow takes its own sweet time to calm down. Let’s have that faith and keep on going.”

It’s been a year now, a little more than that.

Last year I shared about the major health setback I faced. The journey that started with countless doctor visits and treatments, and ended, more often than not, in laughter, mockery, and the same dismissive words ~

“kuch nahi hai ye, it’s just stress.”

Well, one thing is true, Stress does play a role! But not as the reason the pain began. It’s one of the reasons the pain increases, much like excitement, too much movement, and a few other everyday triggers. Stress is just one factor among these.

Mind it, I said one of the reasons, not the only one.

When You’ve Tried Everything

You know how it goes, when things get tough, you search for solutions! And when you’ve tried everything, only a couple of options remain.

I tried those too. I went to a spine specialist, someone rooted in ancient healing practices rather than what I’d call “so-called experienced doctors.”
I’m not joking. Since last year, my faith in doctors has reduced, at least for cases like mine. I’ve come to accept that a good doctor, one who gives an honest diagnosis and solution, is rare.

Getting one is a blessing. Big words. Scary to say out loud. But I had to say it.

I’m not saying all doctors are like that. The good ones, if you find them, truly are a blessing. I’ve seen that too!  I just wasn’t the lucky one when it came to my own diagnosis.

The Long Road Back

So, my second-to-last option became this traditional spine specialist. Six to seven visits a week at first, then once every two weeks, then once a month. You can imagine how long that stretch has been. And he diagnosed me. He improved my health.

Yes, I’m better than I was last year, maybe 40-50%. That might sound like a small number, but if you knew what 100% of the pain felt like, this is a massive shift.

A lot has been put on hold, my diet, my workouts, my “over-enjoyment” (turns out too much excitement can trigger pain too, who knew!).

But I’m at peace with that now, because I know how and when to manage it. I take my precautions. It still hurts. It still flares up sometimes. But thankfully, it’s not the same as before.

I won’t sugarcoat it. I’m not cured. I’m still not fully well. Occasionally, when the pain flares up, I go for a hot massage or take a safer painkiller, just something mild that helps me get through it. That’s just part of my routine now, and I’ve made peace with it. But somewhere along the way, I decided something important:

I will not wait to be “fully fine” before I start living again. I’ve chosen to move ahead with it, not after it.

Choosing to Move Forward

This journey has been long, longer than I expected. But I’ve started working again, because at some point you have to accept where you are and move ahead anyway. I’ve started taking precautions. I’ve started valuing my mind, my health, my body, and my peace. And I’ve changed.

So I honestly feel blessed that I made it through 2025, a year that, at times, actually felt like it might end me.

Thank you to everyone who prayed, who wished me well, and even to those who mocked or laughed, every bit of it made me stronger.

But mostly, Thank You to Myself, and to God, for staying with me through it.

In the End

I know how heavy things can get. I know there are moments where the pain, physical or otherwise, makes people want to stop, some stop trying, some stop believing, and some, tragically, stop altogether. I’ve been close enough to that darkness to know it’s real.

But if there’s one thing I want this post to leave you with, it’s this:

Don’t stop.

Come what may, slow down if you have to, rest if you have to, take your meds if you have to, but don’t stop. Not on yourself.

Be your own best friend.

Nothing is as tough as it seems, even when it feels like it is.

Have faith.

Live life.

Believe in yourself.

You are far stronger than you even know.

So never lose hope, and keep moving ahead, One day at a time.

Lots of Love, Thoughtpotarts