Stairs are my nemesis. That was not always the case. I used to bound up a flight of stairs with the energy of a young puppy. Now to climb up, or down, that same flight of stairs can feel like hard work. The pain that accompanied the growth that used to be in my pelvis remains – long after I had surgery to remove it. My doctors call the pain I still feel in my legs “referred pain.” They’ve explained that it happens because of how entwined and sensitive the body’s nervous system is; and how it sends messages to the brain.

Some things that used to be easy for me to tackle before my illness are now monumental tasks. Climbing stairs – up and down – is something that I must do carefully and slowly because if I don’t it causes the pain in my legs and hips to flare up to a level I can’t cope with very well. I’m not sure if this is something that will worsen if my doctors don’t find a treatment to restore my health and reduce – preferably eliminate my pain. However, while I wait, I’ll continue erring on the side of caution and climb stairs cautiously or take elevators where I can.