I'm Struggling.

[Spem in alium]

For the last little while, every day I've been dealing with pain. Most days I wake up in pain, go to bed in pain and am finding myself increasingly more limited in what I can do. I get sleep, but I wake up tired and stay tired throughout the day. The medical condition which causes is not very serious, but it is one that I've dealt with and will need to deal with all my life. As far as I know, significant help can only come through daily self-treatment (which doesn't work half the time) and potentially surgery. I'm not keen on going down the surgical path again, but the surgeons treating me seem quite keen on another operation. My problem is very small compared to some, but even so, sometimes I feel very physically and emotionally crippled by the pain it causes. And most of the time I feel very alone.

I am asking St. Joseph to protect and strengthen me, especially in these final weeks before I leave to go on exchange. Please keep me in your intentions.