when the pain is masked i think, oh it's alright, i can see now, i'll get better, then the pain returns with little warning, it's a lightning bolt, and i wonder how anyone can live with chronic pain, but they do. if this was chronic i don't think i could. nothing can help pain but the release from pain. it will make you weep and pray. i know i've emerged on the other side of pain before, but when the pain comes i fear it will never leave.