“I walk every day without pain”

So here you are in A&E. This is it, the end of the road. I know how hard Christmas was, how you felt the pain coming on gradually. I know that you had to try to hide it from your family and friends, and the stress and weariness that comes with those actions. You know deep down that everyone really knew what was going on but the pain was so consuming that you didn't really care. The past three days have seen pain like you never thought was possible. I remember crying in the bed, unable to move with pain wondering if this was it. And so your wife convinced you to go to A&E since the pain was so obvious to her, and I also remember how painful it was to walk into the hospital that morning, every single step was painful. And it's here where you finally admit to your wife that you're tired of hiding the pain, tired of thinking about it with your every waking moment, tired of worrying about the future.

What if I told you that in less than four months' time you would be running around playing with your kids? Last evening I played a game of football with my son. I now cycle when I want, not when I think I might be able. I walk every day without pain. And I now look forward to our new home, and all the jobs that have to be done in the garden and around the site bring me feelings of excitement not anxiety. I get up every morning pain free!!! I'm even thinking of dusting down my old surfboard, can you believe that! 

If someone had told me all of this back then I wouldn't have believed them to be honest, it's difficult to have any hope when you're in the darkness like that. But just let me tell you this much... Your future is bright.