I have debated the value in documenting my experience with the progression of a degenerative spinal condition. Pain is a very personal thing, and talking openly about it feels like I am exposing my flaws and weaknesses. Masking those weaknesses is important in ensuring that others can’t tell how much pain I’m in, so that conversations are not focused on these flaws and I know that my interactions with others are not solely rooted in sympathy. I have no desire for sympathy, nor any desire to spend any time focused specifically on thinking about or discussing my pain, but I feel the need to…