Pain is a real pain in the ... (fill in the blank) with Melissa Farmer

Tia shares her experiences as a young woman in the military, highlighting the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault. She recounts her own traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted by a superior and the reprimand she received for reporting it. Tia expresses concern for the wellbeing of female soldiers, noting that many face similar experiences. She also discusses her struggle with PTS and its impact on her life, which eventually leads her to seek help from the VA. Tia emphasizes the need for better support and resources for veterans dealing with trauma and PTS. Tia discusses her journey with mental health services, including being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and experiencing suicidal thoughts. She expresses frustration with the lack of support from previous healthcare providers. However, after a session with 22Zero, a mental health organization, she experiences a significant improvement. Tia feels exhausted after the session, leading to better sleep and fewer nightmares. Her self-esteem and overall well-being improve, and she becomes an advocate for 22Zero, believing it saved her life.

Lisa discussed the unique challenges faced by women in the military who have experienced trauma. She highlighted the additional layer of trauma due to the betrayal of trust within the military community, as well as the lack of agency and safety. Lisa also pointed out the societal ignorance and disrespect faced by these women outside of the military. Nancy added to this, emphasizing the compounded trauma experienced by women veterans due to both military and societal factors. The conversation concluded with the importance of naming and understanding the various aspects of trauma to better address and support these women. Lisa can be reached at:  [email protected]

Silent Strength, women vets and Invisible Warriors VIEW RECORDING - 22 mins (No highlights) Introduction to Invisible Warriors @ 0:09 Nancy Becher introduces Invisible Warriors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women veterans dealing with PTSD, military trauma, and invisible illnesses. The organization aims to provide specialized resources and build a supportive community for these often overlooked heroes. Challenges Faced by Women Veterans @ 3:11 Women make up 17% of the U.S. military's active duty force, but face distinct challenges upon returning to civilian life. They struggle with reintegration, have higher rates of homelessness compared to male veterans, and often feel invisible or overlooked in predominantly male-oriented veteran spaces. Focus Areas: PTSD, Military Trauma, Invisible Illnesses @ 4:07 Invisible Warriors focuses on three key issues affecting women veterans: PTSD, military trauma, and invisible illnesses. These conditions can have devastating long-term impacts, but are often misunderstood or go unrecognized. Holistic Support Programs @ 10:23 Invisible Warriors takes a comprehensive approach to supporting women veterans, offering individual and group therapy, workshops on coping skills and reintegration, career counseling, and a range of holistic services including nutrition, fitness, and creative therapies. The organization also fosters a strong peer support network. Invisible Warriors Club: A Safe, Secure Online Community @ 11:43 Invisible Warriors has created the Invisible Warriors Club, a private, encrypted online platform where women can connect with others facing similar challenges without fear of their posts being taken down or their privacy violated. Upcoming Retreat and Funding Needs @ 17:45 Invisible Warriors is planning a 5-day outdoor retreat for women veterans, providing counseling, activities, and a supportive environment at no cost to participants. The organization is seeking sponsors and donors to fund this and other programs. Broader Impact and Call to Action @ 18:56 Invisible Warriors' work has the potential to transform lives and influence how veteran care is approached on a broader scale. The organization is advocating for systemic changes to better support women veterans, and invites volunteers and donors to join their important mission.

Managing chronic pain is overwhelming for those living with and providing treatment for chronic pain. The demand of patients’ complex needs cause provider burnout, while chronic pain sufferers describe their experience as an “invisible disability”. I crushed three vertebrae after a fall from a balcony leading to excruciating pain in my neck, back, and entire body. I know first-hand how chronic pain leads to significant depression and other adverse consequences. For 10 years I was significantly dependent on opioids and sedatives. Then I learned to manage my pain more effectively. My recovery began at the Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Clinic. I learned about pain science: by changing our behavior around pain it reinforces that we are not in danger of pain causing us further harm, and it builds confidence in breaking the cycle of pain. Moving Through Chronic Pain uses proven skill-building practices to encourage self-efficacy managing life with chronic pain. We facilitate deeper connections between those living with chronic pain and their community of providers, employers, and family members. We offer a safe environment of learning and sharing to enhance people and providers lives. We will be talking about all things chronic pain. Lots of great information.

Pain is a very large part of chronic illness but it is not a hopeless situation. Melissa has devoted her life to studying and dealing with issues regarding chronic pain. This episode delves deeply into what it is and how to deal with it.

Deb Krier talks about her initiative tryingnottodie.live which primarily works with people dealing with cancer and medical personnel treating them. She emphasizes the need to take charge of one's own care and advocates for treating patients as individuals rather than just their conditions. Being diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer that is triple positive in 2015, and how it is affecting her life she talks about the ongoing challenges she faces due to ongoing treatments, bone pain, osteoporosis, and kidney issues. She also mentions the need to pay attention to her body and rest when necessary. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of being one's own advocate and having someone accompany you during medical visits to act as a second set of eyes and ears. Deb Krier: https://debkrier.com/ Invisible Warriors: https://invisiblewarriors.org