The worst
April 16, 2008 | Filed under: Inebriated prose, Just asking, Sucks like a vacuum
“Have you ever been hurt and the place tries to heal a bit, and you just pull the scar off of it over and over again.” ~Rosa Parks
I just asked this on Twitter but I figured that it was too good to limit the endless possible answers to 300 some odd people. For the record I don’t even know 300 people. I don’t even know 30 people. But if you want to hear about how I can tie a knot with a cherry stem or that cherry blossoms make me sick, then be my guest and do follow. Pull up a chair and I’ll give you every asinine detail of my life. I’M A GIVER.
So here goes: What is the worst pain you have ever felt?
Posted by nopasanada @ 11:06 pm
Camels & Chocolate says:
Well, I’ve never had kids — nor will I likely ever — but I imagine that’s probably up there with my eye injury. The day before I was competing in the state semifinals in tennis when I was in high school, the eye doctor gave me a new solution for my contact. Well, I thought it was a new solution at least, but it was actually some toxic cleanser that was never supposed to touch your eye. Considering he failed to explain this, I used it as solution and properly caused a chemical burn to my cornea. Talk about some PAIN. My mom had some leftover codeine from a surgery, but even that didn’t help. The worst part is I couldn’t open my eye because it hurt so bad, but closing it almost hurt worse.
Angella says:
Physical?
THE RING OF FIRE.
To get specific? A fourth-degree tear from my first-born son. Ouch.
Emotional?
My in laws calling my parenting kills into question.
Because they are so AWESOME (Not. AT ALL.) that they get to point the finger.
Sigh.
slynnro says:
Hmmmmmmm….I’ve never broken anything or been in a bad accident or anything like that. Two months or so ago, I rammed my foot into a wooden chair leg so hard that it was bruised for weeks. That hurt really bad. I also used to get unbelievably painful ear infections until I was in college.
Marilyn says:
I’m going to assume we’re talking emotional pain and say that it would have to be the day I went into labor and then found out that the baby, a boy, that we’d tried and waited for for 3 years had died.
But if we’re talking physical, then the time I fell on the ice in our driveway and broke two bones in my ankle was pretty awful.
Tina says:
Divorce. The most emotional and physical pain EVER. I do not recommend it. Nor do I recommend marrying an asshole.
Ladies, choose wisely.
She Likes Purple says:
Physical: The tattoo on the top of my foot. I wish I could accurately explain the pain of that tattoo. I have another — on my lower back — and that was like a day at the spa in comparison. It’s been almost a year, and I really thought the pain would fade and I would look back and think it wasn’t that bad. But, I can still feel it. I was shaking (uncontrollably) and after he did the first line, I really (oh-so close) almost asked him to stop. I do love the end result though — I want another one on my other foot which is insane. I KNOW.
Emotional: Oh, let’s see. I think that’s a story for BlogHer, over our eighth glass of wine (for you!) and champagne (for me!). It is about my father, though.
Schnozz says:
Mr. S and I hit a verrrry bad patch once, like a “maybe this is it, then” patch, like, a “I am looking for an apartment” patch … and I have never felt pain like that, nor do I desire to ever again. Seriously, anyone who has ever divorced anyone, even an asshole: I salute you for surviving that.
Rhi says:
1. Kidney Stones at ages 16 and 21
2. The migraine headache I had two weeks ago - my very first one.
Neither of those were any fun at all.
Cheri says:
I’ve heard kidney stones are the worst pain ever. Since I’ve never passed any kidney stones, I’m going to have to say childbirth.
Oh, and regarding Jennie’s comment above about the tattoo on the top of her foot? My sister has one there too and said it was horrific pain. The tattoo artist said its because that’s where most of the nerve endings from your entire BODY are. Makes sense.
I was also in an abusive relationship and the abuse, while awful physically, was even worse emotionally. Being in love with someone who hurts you purposely and viciously is mind numbingly painful.
Kirsten says:
1. Viral Meningitis 2 years ago. Major suckage.
2. Breaking my arm a year and a half ago, in a not so graceful swandive in my laundry room. Crocs + wet floor = clumsy assed me and a spiral fracture of my radius. Add on to that the fact that I did it at 2am the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and NO DOCTOR was willing to come in and do surgery until the Monday AFTER Thanksgiving.
3. Emotionally? The totally unexpected death of my fiancee when I was in college. I spoke with him on the phone at 3am, and by 7am, he was gone… It launched my life into seven levels of hell for about the next year and a half, and still to this day, I have major separation issues with my poor husband.
Thursday says:
Burst eardrum following ear infection and having to get on a plane home.
MsPrufrock says:
I had a natural childbirth with tearing (sorry, I know it’s gross), but even that wasn’t as painful as the removal of an infected cyst from my back (again with the grossness, SORRY). It hurt like a mother and though I didn’t cry during the surgery to remove it, I cried for 2 hours afterwards just from the memory of the unbelievable pain I’d just experienced.
ɹǝƃƃolquǝʞoʇ says:
At 13 months my son got burned on the top of his foot. A really bad burn. I had to wash it twice a day in a foot bath of ivory soap. And then put this cream on it before I re-bandaged. It was so hard to do. We both cried and cried and cried.
Jennifer says:
I can’t believe I’m delurking on this post, but for some reason I always feel like I must tell people about my HORRIBLE kidney stones when I was 35 weeks pregnant. OMG they hurt so badly, I was positively certain that I was dying.
My father in law had kidney stones a few months before me and I remember him saying how painful it was. I also remember thinking what a sissy he was…then I had a kidney stones. Karma anyone?!
Lauren says:
I had menstrual cramps so bad in high school that the clinic lady would say that it looked like I was having labor pains. I missed a lot of school because of this.
Beckie says:
Hmm - physical or emotional??
Physical: I gave birth at 20, but even that wasn’t as bad as having my tonsils out at 23. I was pretty sure days 3-5 that I was dying and would it just please end already. I had no idea that the mouth could produce so much liquid. Am scared to swallow just remembering it.
Emotional: Growing up without a mom. I have an aunt who is like my mom so it could have been worse, but still, as a girl not having MY mom around growing up was quite the emotional pain.
Kerrie says:
2nd and 3rd degree burns on the entire front part of my body. From the top of my feet to the top of my legs were one long huge blister…Which had to be popped by the doctor. Gross, huh?
nopasanada says:
Well then. Ok. Note to self: Do not give birth or have kidney stones. Got it.
And either emotional or physical or both is fine. Because sometimes the emotional turns into physical pain.
jon deal says:
It’s a toss up for me between gallstones and a snapped femur.
And that one time in junior high I got my heart broken.
Dagny says:
Physical — getting a shot in the bottom of my foot so that the doctor could remove the piece of glass embedded in my foot.
Emotional — learning that my uncle had died of a heart attack while I was on my way to the hospital to visit my dad who was recovering from a heart attack.
Jen says:
Interesting topic.
Physical: Falling off the Alpine Slide at a ski mountain and sliding all the way down with bare legs and arms. I had burns EVERYWHERE.
Emotional: Losing my nephew in November and having a miscarriage weeks later.
ali says:
when i was 4, i threw up in my dad’s new porsche. he got out of the car and walked home. and left me there. i’ve had a fear of vomit since. was possibly the very worst thing that’s ever happened to me.
Becca says:
Physical: my nose job. Yeah it hurt like hell, especially when I was first coming out of the surgery. It was sore and swollen for months. However, I would never do that differently. I am much happier now. I was always “the tall girl with the big nose.” I was incredibly shy and moved a lot so I had to endure a ton of new people making fun of me while growing up. The nose job was to help me live my life fully.
Emotional: Being teased relentlessly my whole life.
Miss Britt says:
My first love cheated on me and decided we should just “move on”. I was 17 years old - and to this day it is STILL the worst I have ever hurt.
Lawyerish says:
I went through a breakup in my early 20s that was horrifically painful. I remember walking around feeling like my entire body hurt, as though I’d been repeatedly beaten with a crowbar on each of my internal organs. It was a sickening, desperate kind of pain and it blotted out almost everything else in my life for a few months.
Physically, I think the migraines I’ve had are right up there. They’re so hideous that I actually fear getting another one to the point of panicking when a mild headache comes on. It feels like someone is digging into your skull with a ginsu knife and your brain is trying to escape through your eye sockets.
Erika says:
In March 2001 right after my paternal grandfather’s funeral, I turned my cell phone back on and received a call from my sister saying that my mother had killed herself. That is the worst emotional and physical pain I have ever felt. I still feel it actually. No amount of therapy or medication has lessened it. I am still searching for some relief.
Lyn says:
Worst pain? Recently my youngest son married - and his wife informed him (and me) that I was a disgusting cow and she didn’t want me around.
The pain part came when he agreed - and told me I didn’t fit into their lifestyle.
I’ve not spoken with them in over 3 months - letters are returned, phone calls not answered.
And yes, it hurts more than you can imagine.
Jamie says:
Physically? Having to dance repeatedly on broken toes, because I *hated* the alternate that would have taken my spot if I’d bowed out of the performances. I was a real bitch back then.
Emotionally? Finding out, after fighting for years in a rocky relationship that was full of that “sinking” feeling, that he’d been cheating on me all along. And all of his friends knew. Fucking bastard.
elise says:
Physical - ovarian cyst bursting. Sounds gross, and man, was it! (Lie, I didn’t SEE anything, it just hurt like a mother effer)
Emotional - two best friends from college (one was my roomate) moved out into a dorm together without telling me and then proceeded to never speak to me again (still don’t know why!)
NSB says:
Also de-lurking (I love your blog)
Emotional pain-the death of my sister, her husband could not “deal” with the kids” after her death. I now have her children.
Her children somewhat make up for the pain of losing her. Luckily they were 14 months and 3 years old when she died. It’s been a long road, but we are all doing well six years later. Their Father did the vanishing act. They don’t really remember too much of him which is good. My husband is a great Father to all of the kids, mine and hers. We have legally adopted them
Physical pain-everything pales in comparison to the above.
lizneust says:
Physical pain - my appendix (which they got JUST in time, and yes, I have given birth twice).
Emotional: Realizing that my new marriage could end if I didn’t get some mental health assistance immediately. (Got it. We’re good.)
Sharon says:
I’m delurking as well. Love your blog!
Emotional - the entire year I was 16. I went through hell and back that year. I’ve been thinking about writing in more detail about it, but I don’t think I’m able to just yet. It’s been 12 years, but the emotional scars are still there.
Physical - I was in a severe car accident in 2001 that majorly screwed my back up. I could barely walk for 2 weeks after that, and was hopped up on these incredibly strong painkillers that made it almost impossible to function. I would lay in bed and cry, and not be able to move very well.
Amy says:
Physical: The pain of having my broken arm realigned and casted when I was 10 years old.
Emotional: The pain of wanting a child so very badly and not being able to conceive. Of trying medical intervention only to have it fail over and over. Of seeing prenant women at every turn and not being able to join their ranks. Of hearing of someone callously aborting the baby growing inside them when that is all I’ve ever desired.
Southernbelle says:
Definitely labor and birth of my daughter without one ounce of pain medicine! She came too fast for me to get it. And by the way…you NEVER forget the pain.
Moose says:
That’s easy. Getting dumped. Twice. By the same person. Strangely, even though this happened three weeks ago and I saw him for the last time this Tuesday, today is the worst day yet. Go figure. So. Yeah. Hi.
Candy says:
Physically, waking up from having my colon resected about 2 years ago. I woke up screaming. I’ve had surgeries before, but never did that before. I don’t think I want to have any more, thank you very much.
lesli says:
Physical: Tie between recovering from a c-section — it just goes ON and ON — and suffering a miscarriage (about a year and a half before the birth of my son).
Emotional: The miscarriage. All those hopes and happiness, then it’s just gone. VERY bad feeling, sorrow and guilt and grief. Ugh, it’s still hard to think about, even after having a beautiful healthy baby boy.
Undomestic Diva says:
Forget the three kids, nasty labor and lack of epidurals.
Ya wanna know REAL pain?
Well…
It was three very long, excrutiating hours of dire pain, emptiness and loss that day Starbucks closed for training for 3 hours.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt it, but the wound, it’s still healing.
Jezer says:
Labor. It was horrible (water breaking + pitocin = hell) and the epidural didn’t work.
And a breakup that I went through back in 1999.
It’s a toss-up between those two.
Thursday says:
My burst eardrum seems pitiful after these.
Nic says:
I’m pretty sure I was in a lot of pain recovering from abdominal surgery, but I’m a firm believer in better living through chemistry and either don’t remember terrible pain or the drugs worked. Either way. SCORE!
Emotional pain, on the other hand, that I definitely have had.
metalia says:
Emotional: Horrible, horrible college breakup. I wandered around like a zombie for a few weeks.
Physical: I’d have to say (surprise!) childbirth. But only until I got the epidural. After that it was really quite bearable. I SWEAR.
Momo Fali says:
Well, I IMMEDIATELY thought of emotional pain. How many characters am I permitted to type?
Let’s just keep this simple and stick to physical pain…which would be kidney stones, hands down. WAY worse than my two c-sections.
nopasanada says:
So, it seems I am WEAK. Good to know.
Jakki says:
Are we talking mental or physical? Mental would be knowing that my childhood best friend high school sweetheart husband could use his power for bad and ask for a divorce…ummm my physical would be having a breast reduction that went wrong.
alyndabear says:
Hrmmmm. In a physical sense, probably the insane pain I got from a bladder infection that turned into a kidney infection, oh hell no. Emotionally, when I lost my pet Lucy IN MY ARMS. Wreck for weeks.
Allie says:
Emotional or physical? (I suppose I should read the comments.)
Ima go with physical because that is cut and dry. I had mastoiditis about 4 years ago. It’s like the mutha of all ear infections and feels like you’re birthing a child out of your ear canal. I couldn’t shut my jaw, the side of my face swelled up and my eardrum ruptured. I ended up in the ER panting and begging for pain meds and had to see the ENT doc weekly for the next six weeks. He said it was the worst case he’d seen.
That sucked.
Gooseberried says:
Getting cheated on. And that person not really caring that you’re hurt from it.
Doc says:
Physical - I injured my back in 1992, while working as an EMT. To judge the pain, I’ve had a couple of kidney stones since then, I thought it was just my back getting a bit tetchy. That is how bad the pain is.
Emotional - Watching my father die day by day to pancreatic cancer.
gwendomama says:
walking away for forever, to leave my one year old son in the ER.
they don’t let you take dead babies home.
180/360 says:
Physical pain: MASTITIS
Emotional pain: Death of loved ones
Arlean says:
Two lousy marriages, left guarded and a gigantic wall around any part of my heart that NOONE NOONE would ever get past….met Mr. wonderful, took him a year to convince me that “you are the one, and you deserve to be happy, and don’t let “us” not happen because of things in your past. I’m the real deal…blah blah….decided to go for it with everything I had. Became engaged, finally had an “emergency contact”, in love like no other. That stupid feeling in the pit of your stomach when you hear his voice, or when you kiss, etc…. That feeling never went away… just hearing his voice made me weak. We were going to grow old together….
Worst pain ever? ….He was with me Wednesday, March 21, and married some witch March 23 in Vegas. I know, I’ve been told a million times, someone who does this, doesn’t deserve to be with me….It’s been 13 months, and I still cry every single day. I’ve seen them together driving down a street and have thrown up while i was driving. Sick and stupid. I know in my head, but it’s the heart i can’t seem to get on the same page. There is no cast for a broken heart.
Desha says:
Physical: Having had TONS of very, very bad teeth, no dental insurance (which bites in my state anyway) and no painkillers that even TOUCHED the agony I was in. I was literally PUNCHING the other side of my own face in order to ‘redistribute’ the pain. Yeah. And it went on for a looooooong time (weeks/months)- and its not over. I fricking hate dentists, teeth and my crappy “sorry, you’re genetically effed’ mouth that allows the teeth I have brushed and flossed obsessively for my entire life to just BREAK OFF and crumble, like I’m a meth addict or something. In my mouth. While I am eating. Bastards. I didn’t know you could hate your own body so much until they all rebelled against me. The worst part? The end is no where in sight. I may as well just have the lot of them pulled, as far as their integrity goes.
Emotional: Being hopelessly, recklessly in love with someone for the last 20-plus years and KNOWING the entire time that it would never work out. Yet not being able to get on with my life/over him already. Missing the kids we’ll never have, and knowing I’m right not to have any others, because there would always be a bit in my mind (the way back, of course) that would be just..a little bit dissapointed because they weren’t his. Fighting biology (every month it gets harder not to say eff this, lets just have a baby already) and society off all the time, while totally wishing I could just let go and DO IT already. Being chronically dissapointed in myself, my husband and my life.
Other than that? Nothing really.
No Pasa Nada » Blog Archive » Pain and Understanding says:
[...] pain that probably will not cause irreparable harm and yet the last month has been one of the most painful things that have occurred in my short little life. Right up there with my sophomore year when I found out [...]
sweetney says:
dude, are you for serious? CHILDBIRTH, MAN. fucking SU-HUCKS pain-wise. for me, it felt very much like my insides were being torn out, a la shades of ALIEN. no exaggeration, i’m sad to report. and this, of course, is one of the main reasons i’ve been reluctant to, ahem, re-impregnate.
please forget all about this comment if and when you decide to have children. (but make sure to have an epidural handy *just in case*)