For more than fifteen years, I have been traveling with chronic pain– a herniated disk, eye pain, and several foot issues. I have had great leg and back pain. It forced me to alter some of the activities in which I participated. But many of my friends had no idea I was in so much pain. I didn’t want anyone to know because that wasn’t what I wanted to be known for. Ultimately, I learned to cope with the pain until I couldn’t. I even ran a few half marathons because running felt better than walking. Two years ago, I had back surgery.