We have become acquainted with Rev. David B. Wooster and thought you would enjoy the story of his journey which appeared recently in the Patriot Ledger newspaper (Quincy, MA):

Help For The Pain, Accepting Fear In A Life

Enjoy,

Dave

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No Pain, No Gain and Know Pain, Know Gain

Most of us will avoid pain at almost any cost.  And, as parents we don’t want our children to experience the many pains that we may have experienced so we go to extremes to try and isolate them from any adverse life experience.

However, here’s the question: should we avoid pain at any cost, or, as a contrarian, is pain something we should actually embrace for our own good?  Or, is it masochistic to even dare ask such a question…?

I think about this wise adage handed down over the years:

  It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of every man;
the living should take this to heart.
Ecclesiastes 7:2

I suppose the answer to my question is obvious, that many of life’s biggest lessons flow from a painful experience.  Yet, most of us remain vigilant at avoiding pain unless it is thrust upon us…

I have always concluded that the “No pain no gain” philosophy is a literal challenge.  In other words, embrace the pain and ultimately profit from the experience.  I have used this as motivation to stay physically fit, pushing myself to my limits of physical pain in order to enjoy the supposed long term wellness benefits.  Certainly, however, I will be quick to add that our categorical thinking on that specific conclusion is challenged with Irene’s rare diagnosis of Amyloid since she took care of herself prior to the onset of the disease.  After all, our thoughts conclude that if one eats well, has moderate exercise, doesn’t consume alcohol and doesn’t smoke cigarettes that one will live a healthy life, right????

Know Pain, Know Gain approaches the matter at a stratospheric level.  Irene knows pain (and suffering I might add) for an extended season of her life….and she also knows GAIN.  As the amyloid has invaded her physical body so has spiritual gain invaded Irene’s experience.  Her spiritual perspective and insights have taken her to an exponential spiritual epiphany on a variety of fronts.  Candidly, while I deal with the journey

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Two years ago today Irene was discharged from UCSF after the stem cell transplant, 45 blood transfusions, 2 trips to ICU, 1 CODE BLUE, two detached retinas from steroid treatment, her skin turning pitch black, etc, etc, etc, etc…

She’s recovering this evening after another rigorous day of dialysis treatment.  The nausea is raging.

What a journey…

Thanks for caring,
Dave

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