My brother in law is a quadriplegic for 42 years. 24/7 caretaking His parents have given their life for him. They are 82 and still taking care of him. They are all Saints
I'm going to recommend this episode to my daughter and niece, bot of whom have autoimmune disorders. I will be adding Cameron to my prayers. My own chronic pain is nothing in comparison.
Ever been tested for Lyme disease? I had all the auto immune symptoms and was diagnosed with a unspecified connective tissue disorder… then took a Lyme titer and figured out it was Lyme all along…
I do. I've just started watching. All I can think of so far, is how lucky she is to have a supportive husband. I'm one step down from that with no husband, and the worst would be an unsupportive husband.
When Cameron mentioned how much better she does at the beach, it reminded me how beneficial salt therapy is like the salt caves you can go to and rent sessions. I feel she may get very similar benefits. Any ways to get sodium like that, breathing it in, even soaking in it like Epsom salt baths.
I love Cameron! It’s not easy to find Catholic women podcasters who don’t come across as too fluffy and giggly. Someone who talks straight about hard things seems more relevant and needed now. I am grateful for her. 💕
Not sure if you’ll see my comment but I wanted to say how I appreciated this episode. I have Multiple Sclerosis and our teen daughter was just diagnosed with Hypermobility Joint Syndrome & we’re being sent to a specialist to see if it’s actually EDS. She’s been suffering for years with joint pain and all her joints popping. Anyway, I usually do not comment on videos but we’ve been watching your channel for awhile now & are converting to Catholicism, currently in RCIA expecting to be confirmed the day before Easter. Suffering is a gift once it can be embraced but it doesn’t make the cross any lighter to carry. God bless you and your wife.
Literally THE best episode of Pints with Aquinas that has ever been made. God BLESS both of your vulnerability, your suffering, and your Tremendous commitment to your Sacramental vocation to one another and your children. Cameron, you are an INSPIRATION for what it means to be a Joyful, Authentic Catholic. Hearing you be completely real and tell your story of experience is So humbling and evidential of God’s Faithfulness. Matt, you are a Beautiful husband to your wife and servant leader to your family. The love you two share is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. God bless you both. Be assured of my prayers!! + ONE in the Body of Christ +
Matt, your face when she was giving her testimony about her stomach pains in Canada, while she was describing how she kept food down, is how I look when my husband is talking sometimes. It's a look that says to me, "my spouse might already be a saint. I need to get my life together."
0:00 Hair care 3:27 Talking to women and being a tomboy 6:10 Need for validation 12:02 Birth control pills 13:40 Intensive Care Unit 19:15 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, joint dislocations 23:55 Wrestling (and Fradd's aggressive relationship) 27:38 After ICU, vestibular rehabilitation (learning to walk again) 29:51 Downplaying own pain 32:17 Skepticism about diagnosis, ADHD 35:11 Offering up own suffer, prayer life 41:34 Growing in community, supportive friends 44:32 Uncertainty if the disease goes away, 46:55 Despair and humility 48:28 Other people's assumptions 51:18 How to be helpful to a person with chronic pain 1:00:55 Difficulties in loving the spouse 1:02:57 Expressing the pain 1:04:47 C-section in Ireland 1:07:09 Text from Fr. Jason, life is hard 1:09:10 Having hope (regarding a Canadian ad for assisted suicide) 1:11:26 Concerns about slothfulness 1:14:04 Travelling, preparations 1:16:25 Supporting a spouse who doesn't want to get better 1:22:14 Fasting, meatless days 1:23:45 Self-care vs self-indulgence 1:26:25 Are there men with chronic diseases? 1:28:35 Feeling pressure of traditional wife model 1:30:58 Favorite type of doctor 1:33:37 Medical expenses 1:37:20 Taking identity in own pain 1:40:10 Enjoying life 1:47:58 Gratitude Journal 1:57:29 Having a sick wife (apologies) 2:00:25 Being open, turning to Jesus 2:01:51 Failures of medical system, Cameron's childhood 2:04:16 Hallow app shout-out YAJUN YUAN is great at providing timecodes, but since I haven't seen him/her in comments lately, I thought I could give it a go while listening. Maybe it will be helpful.
@@Nunwannabe1234So, did your husband watch it? Did it help him to better understand your situation? I’m hoping my husband will watch it, but 2 hours is longer than his attention span. Lol Seriously, he falls asleep all the time! Anyway, did it help? God bless you and heal you. I hope you’re doing well.🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
My aunt and uncle had bad chronic knee pain for years. Idk what exactly was there issues, something with the bones I believe. But they were desperate for a solution. They got stem cells into their knees, and they no longer have pain, it greatly diminished. It was costly, 10,000 dollars, but they say it was worth it. Hope and pray everyone living with chronic pain can find some relief and peace. 🙏Very sad for those who suffer and struggle.
Not sure if your husband has sciatica but my husband is dealing with chronic pain in the same places because of sciatica. It’s been very difficult to witness and I pray they can both recover soon
Oh wow! I suffered from PCOS and endometriosis as well. The validation thing was amazing!! Cysts would burst and I would pass out an highschool… but we didn’t know what it was. I would wake up in ambulances after passing out from these shocky pains. The 10 day periods… the miscarriages when I was married…. I have one son, my miracle baby, who came between miscarriages. The docs said I shouldn’t have been able to carry him. I felt like a walking case study. My parents thought I was a hypochondriac. I also went on the pill because I would get so anemic from my menses. I had an injury while playing soccer and tore my right ACL/MCL. I learned I have hyper mobile joints, so the docs wouldn’t repair the knee. I began having fall after fall, eventually wrecking my other knee and my spine in the process. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at this point. My doc said I had probably had it most of my life, but they didn’t know what it was back then. I got depressed, felt so lifeless. Gained 150 lbs in about a year. My knees constantly come out of the sockets, I’m losing weight to (God-willing) have knee replacements soon. I rarely walk. I’m in a wheelchair usually. I developed a hiatal hernia. I had a gallstone get stuck in my common bile duct, had a procedure to open it enough to it to pass thru the duct… only for it to get stuck in a diverticula where it went on what I’ve named “the trifecta of ewwwww!” That stone drove a fistula from my colon through my lady bits and into my bladder! Seriously…. What more?! Yes, everything hurts and some days are just terrible. But I have learned that every bit of pain is NOTHING when I look at what Jesus endured during His passion, or what Mother Mary endured in her seven sorrows. God bless you, Cameron, what a beautiful message of hope. I’m hoping that one day I will earn some bit of grace… I feel like I am just constantly falling short.
God bless you, sweet friend. I am so grateful for your comment; it really helps me see Jesus. You are so beautiful, and I'm praying for you. I am so sorry you are going through this.
There are so many people hurt out there. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through so much. I, too have fibromyalgia, and also, several autoimmune disease that cause me constant pain. I’ve gained a ton of weight from steroids. Look for Cameron’s video where she says she is off all her meds and doing the Carnivore Diet. I’m going to give it a try. God bless you and give you the grace you need to accomplish His will for you🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
My husband and I have watched this together after he recommended it to me. My husband is actually the one with EDS, POTS, MCAS, GERD, etc. and just wanted to share because while it seems predominantly women, my husband suffers with that chronic pain. And so much of what you both have said applies to us as a couple. THANK YOU for sharing so openly the sufferings, joys, and couplehood inside your marriage. 💚
I pray for healing to all who suffer from chronic pain. I care for my husband who has leg ulcers and I changed my thinking when feeling overwhelmed from, "I have to dress his leg again" to " I get to dress his leg again because he is still with me and alive." God bless you Cameron, Matt and family.
As someone who is also choleric and struggles with chronic illness, this was extremely validating. Thank you for sharing Cameron! Also to Matt, it's so evident on your face that you love your wife. Very sweet to watch! :)
Sometimes I think with my pain, I’ve wanted to hear from my spouse, even if it NEVER gets better, I’m in this with you. Sometimes I’m afraid that the constant optimism is because that’s the only way he could deal. And I get scared that he could handle it if I didn’t get better. So to me, the best thing is to know that no matter what, my spouse is on my team and in it to win it. And the recovery and optimism is secondary to the commitment to the worst possible scenario in regards to health.
Thank you for this comment. I do think that women often force themselves into optimism and coping because the men in their lives cannot bear to see them in pain, and it's just 'easier' to suffer alone than to suffer your pain and cope with their inability to cope at the same time.
I’ve thought about what if my pain stopped and I could be normal again. It’s kind of scary, in a way. What would I do? After 20+ years of pain, I’ve lost who I am without it. I know I would try to serve God in some way, but doing what, I don’t know. But, I’d like to try it, i think.
Had me in tears at the end due to the raw honesty and vulnerability. Thank you, Cameron, for sharing your sufferings. Thank you, Matt, for apologizing to Cameron for not “seeing” her as she is. I think this episode is very powerful and shares an aspect of life that isn’t talked about very much.
I loved this episode. I rarely enjoy couples interviews because the couples are giggly or disingenuous in a way I can’t explain- but I loved watching you two. Praying for you, Cameron- If Cincinnati wasn’t on the other side of Ohio I’d find some way to bump into you (gently so as not to throw a joint out) and say hi! Also: I LOVE that you encouraged others to not let their conditions become their identity. After my diagnosis I joined some support groups for it, and swiftly left because it was SO depressing by how the poor souls there just made that their entire identity.
It's a weird couple though. He mentionned that they wrestled to the ground in a cafe. Despite knowing how terrible her dislocating condition is . I can tell they were not meant for each other. It's a real strenuous relationship. I hope she not somatizing.
@@major9004 I think you have been very careful to NOT understand what they were talking about. Is English by some chance not your first language? While I think I'd be very put off by a couple publicly wrestling - I prefer a certain amount of restraint and decorum and dignity in public, and I would not want to see something that is obviously 'private play' to them - they made it very clear that they enjoy that kind of physical expression. It's like play to them BOTH; they both voluntarily engage in it and Cameron said that Matt stops immediately if she tells him to. There's clearly great mutual love and respect between them. Look at Matt Fradd's eyes when his wife talks about her suffering. There's no doubt that he is completely in awe of her as a person and loves her deeply. Also, did you completely ignore how faith-based their courtship was and how she is absolutely certain that he is right for her? You've missed 98% of what they talk about and how they interact and then drawn a wrong conclusion.
@@major9004Though I doubt I would ever do such a thing, it is possible that they were with friends, and weren’t bothered by what they thought. Anyway, as the other commenter said, you can’t just pick out one thing and say they don’t belong together. They expressed so much love for each other, especially Matt, you can see how much he loves her. Don’t judge then on one thing. I have a 40 year old daughter that is always play fighting with two of her siblings, so I guess it’s not too unusual, annoying at times, though.
As a person living with chronic pain (Lupus, RA, Sjogrens, Menniere’s, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Asthma, disc degeneration) I can totally relate to Cameron. But, God’s grace has seen me through all of it. God bless you both 🙏🏼
Cameron your honesty is so healing to me. Thank you for sharing your post partum depression journey and how our wounds are the key to ministry. You have no idea how much you've helped me.
The amount that I relate to Cameron is incredible. I'm not a "girly girl," I'm not super emotional, it took me like 4 years to get diagnosed with PCOS, I have Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, and recently found out I have ulcers and liver problems. I also have a bad back/nerve issues from a botched spinal cord surgery. She's right. It is only by the grace of God that we can get through it. Doctors belittle you, meds don't work, you can't make it through a day. Prayers for you always!
Yes...doctors put me on psych meds...while i have visible damage in my spine, shoulders, hands, ankles due to spondilitis which is a joint inflamatory condition. Its been 11 yrs until finally i am officially diagnosed. We feel so alone and misunderstood like Our Lord in Getsemani
Oh wow! I think you have as many illnesses as I have! It’s rough, I know. I’ve been going through chronic pain for 20+ years. God bless you and give you the grace you need to get through it!🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
@@etcwhatever that’s horrible they should be sued! I had an allergist 30 years ago put down on my patient file that I was depressed. That’s all he got out of everything I told him? What the heck? What a bad doctor he was! Have you seen Cameron’s video on her healing from the Carnivore diet? There’s also one on Tammy Peterson’s channel, where she was healed from the Lion diet. I’m going to give her a try! Praying for your healing🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I can’t thank you enough for this interview. My daughter told me I was a lot like Cameron, she loves Among the Lilies. I had no idea until I watched this episode how similar we are in personality and chronic pain. I’m not a girly girl, either. I don’t know if I’d get through any of this without my faith, either. I’ve been to the edge of despair. Anyway, thank you, again, I felt validated watching this.
Thank you so much for this episode, I have never felt so heard or understood. I am a 20 year old with PCOS and ENDO, and the *only* things getting me through my pain episodes is my faith and my partner. I hit rock bottom at 17, that same year I met my best friend and now fiancée, meeting him also brought me back to my faith (even though he's a Catholic and I'm Orthodox). Knowing that there is a happy and stable future for me has given my pain purpose. Matt and Cameron, thank you for being so candid and vulnerable in this episode, I already know I will be rewatching it multiple times whenever I need strength. I always appreciate hearing women speak on this podcast and the passion and empathy in Cameron's eyes while she spoke healed my soul in a way I didn't know it could (or needed to) be. Thank you.
Your health story sounds very similar to Mikhaila Peterson (Jordan Peterson's daughter). She was able to get off all medications by going on a red meat only diet (she calls it the Lion Diet), and her whole family is now on it. She has a website and quite a few videos covering the topic. After looking into it, the support groups have thousands of stories of resolving and helping chronic conditions including MS, IBS, Crohn's, MCAS, Lyme and others. I was told diet had nothing to do with crohn's by 4 different specialists, but was able to completely resolve it with a strict carnivore diet.
Oh, wow! I’m just starting my Carnivore/Lion diet journey. I have watched the Peterson’s videos. If you’re not aware, Tammy Peterson, Jordan’s wife has been healed of her autoimmune diseases, too. She eats only lamb. Cameron and Tammy’s testimonies made me look into it. I have already found out one week in that I have a problem with oxalate dumping. I jumped in too fast and now have to back track a little and adjust my diet more slowly. Did you feel extremely tired when you began the diet? It seems like I just can’t get enough sleep.
The following quote was shared with me (place of origin unknown) I have MS and this helped me put things into perspective as well. Thank you so much for this interview. "My Doctor Recently Asked Me How Many "Usable Hours" I Have in a Day. She told me that a healthy person has, on average, around 10 "usable hours" a day. These hours can be spent going to work, getting errands done, and fulfilling other responsibilities. We realized that, on a good day, I have around 4 "usable hours" with lots of rest in between. This really hit home for me because, despite knowing better, I still try to keep up with healthy people. I try to squeeze their 10 hours of socially-acceptable responsibilities into my 4 hours each day. The equivalent would be if a healthy person tried to fit 25 hours of responsibilities into their 10 usable hours a day. It also made me understand why I felt like time was slipping me by so quickly; because a healthy person has approximately 6 more usable hours a day than me, 42 more a week and 186 more a month."
Yes, that makes a lot of sense to me! Have you heard of the spoon theory? Everybody gets so many spoons each day. You use them up as you do things. Those of us who have chronic pain or illness get less spoons at the beginning of the day, and sometimes it takes more than one spoon to accomplish something. Blessings🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I'm on a chronic illness journey as well, and I have found this TH-camr "Ribeye Rach" who also has POTS, lyme, and similar things to Cameron. Her channel is amazing -- I especially appreciate her Christian perspective on the journey.
There is not enough Catholic support like this for people who suffer from physical chronic pain; so I thank you. Videos are made to help people who are caretakers or who have someone close to them suffering, but zippo for those with the actual challenge of enduring illness and pain.
This conversation between you two was so incredible to witness. I am quite sick with my pregnancy and even though I know it will end, it can feel so intense and isolating. Friends have banded together to help us in so many ways and my husband is handling it with so much grace. But it’s HARD. Thank you for speaking so much truth and sharing your lives. So grateful!
Bless you and your wife. The love in your eyes when you look at her while she spoke of her pain made me cry several times during this. Thank you both for being incredibly real. I'll be praying for both of you. Merry Christmas!
Wow. Thank you for this episode. I've been suffering from chronic pain and chronic health issues for years. It's so hard to go through the day and keep a supernatural outlook. God Bless you!
This is so true. Spouses of someone dealing with chronic pain really need support too. It's hard, because so much in life is effected by it. I see my husband struggling with it too. I would love for him to be able to talk to people who really get it.
Wow, what alot of craziness. You two blow my mind how hilariously honest you both are. God bless your relationship and your witness. Love from Ireland 🇮🇪
WOW!!! She has such deep faith through everything she's been through and living with! Praise God for this episode and the call to be hopeful in the Lord no matter what. Laughed and cried through so much of this talk. Thank you so much and be assured of my prayers for you both and your family xx
You cannot function without Gods Grace 🙏 I have been sick since I was 3 months old and just turned 56 after being told I had three years to live 35 years ago. God is Amazing and gives you the grace to live with so much🙏
Can I give this conversation a hundred Thumbs Up??? This was the best podcast EVER! And the healing method Cameron was describing being done by the chiropractor in Florida is called CranioSacral Therapy. My daughter is a PT who is trained in it, and it's truly amazing. I just LOVE you guys, and can't wait to float the Seine in France with you next summer!
Someone may have asked, but who is this doctor in Florida? I suffer from chronic illnesses and it took 10 years of being seriously sick before I was diagnosed. Even now doctors try to re-diagnosed me. This has me in tears because I can relate to so much. People would say I simply didn't know how to clean a house. I'm all proud because the house is presentable and others are judging me because I didn't scrub the wall and trim of a the dirt from the dog and kids. Then I would break down and scrub from ceiling to floor and be in bed for 3 weeks. Holy indifference has been the greatest gift God has given me this past year. Thank you for doing this interview. 💜 I needed to be reminded it's okay to not be okay.
I can’t even begin to say how powerful this was, and how much it ministered to me. My issue is not chronic physical pain, yet I could relate to much of what Cameron shared - and I am both thankful and challenged by how she has offered up her suffering. It is beautiful to see and hear a loving couple share so openly and vulnerably. For various reasons, it is easy for me to succumb to a sense of disillusionment and even cynicism about marriage; seeing the love between Matt and Cameron, hearing his words of admiration for her, and especially hearing his heartfelt apology - that was like a healing balm to my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this episode.
Ooooh my goodness! I completely understand so much of what Cameron is saying. I’ve had a bad skin disorder my whole life, was always passed around by dermatologists, finally quit them, then slept on black mold for months without knowing, launched into a disease called TSW and most dermatologists deny that, stuck in a cycle or CIRS. Currently researching Mast Cells and Histamine Intolerance… Been on a journey of uniting my suffering to Christ’s for reparation of sin in the world. It’s a heavy cross a lot of the time, but what a privileged place to be in, to participate in suffering for the sanctification of the world. Thank you, Cameron, for your vulnerability and strength! Heart is with you and you’re not alone. Much of what you shared I have felt and still do. Blessings, Fradds! Praying for your healing, Cameron. ❤
Wow Cameron has been through so much. Matt too! I had my gall bladder removed when I was easily married and it was so scary. Chronic pain is such a heavy heavy cross. You all are a beautiful example! ❤
Matt, I relate to you a ton, and my wife is incredibly similar to Cameron and her disposition. This conversation is an extraordinary reminder that our vocation is a beautiful means to grow in virtue and holiness. Thank you both for your authenticity and witness of love.
Oh my gosh, yes Cameron. I’m an RN and suffer with chronic pain. I went through the endometriosis thing and had a full hysterectomy which ended that, but over time was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis an autoimmune disease. I have a multitude of other chronic illnesses, a mild form of EDS, Just loose joint syndrome, migraines and have had to live on pain medication and have had multiple surgeries, bones breaking in fact breaking both legs by tripping and falling one on one day and 10 days later the other leg, and it goes on and on. But without God I think I’d be dead.
Seeing the love you have for your wife in your eyes Matt, melted my heart. I could see Jesus looking at Cameron. Thank you for allowing us to enter your sacred space and taste the goodness of God in the struggle.
The ending was so heartfelt and deep. Thank-you for sharing your journey Cameron and thank-you Matt for showing your heart towards your beloved. I think women have such a hard time with submission because it's scary to 'need' your husband. But we have to admit we ARE the weaker vessel we do NEED our husbands. And it's okay to admit that. It's okay to feel weak and not strong. God shines through our weakness. Look up masculine/feminine polarity. It saved our marriage. Women sharing their heart with their man is so healing. It makes a man rise up and be the protector of your heart.
Hi guys, just finished watching two of your podcasts and you are both in my prayers. Cameron real life story with all her medical problems and struggles has really touched my heart. You made me cry woman and I pray to God, you with one day wake up renewed and full of life. I love you both, may the Almighty God heal you physically and bless you...
Kind reminder to whoever oversees the social media to add the correct link for Cameron’s podcast. As someone with a chronic illness, it was so valuable to see a relationship between two godly people that involves someone with a chronic illness in practice. I know we shouldn’t be listing ourselves as our illness (I agree with Cameron on this) but there were some significant logistical realities that I face that make marriage feel out of reach. I feel more hope after listening to this podcast and will keep your family in my prayers. Thank you for answering the call and sharing this today.
The look of love and incredible compassion on Matt's face at 38:45 was heartbreaking. My wife of 42 years has faced many of the same issues and I feel embarrassed that I haven't been more compassionate. Great video guys!
Minutes 1:53:21 through 2:00:00 is some of the most insightful, beautiful, and powerful "podcast" tv I've ever seen. Thank you both for being so open and vulnerable and for the wisdom Cameron shared. Beautiful!
Greetings. I am a Baptist pastor in NS, Canada. I have appreciated your interview videos for quite some time. To me, the longer form discussions are much more interesting and reach a much greater depth than anything in traditional media. I also confess a certain envy of your podcast set. That table, especially, looks amazing! I realize that you likely do not read many comments, but my wife and daughter have had to deal with very serious seasons of depression. Only during the last couple of years has our now 18 year old daughter begun to emerge healthy after roughly 5 years of mental health struggles. She’s now becoming the person she’s been wanting to be for years. As parents, it has been an enormously difficult journey. But to see her now is such a grace-filled gift! And so I write to thank you (Matt and Cameron) for this conversation on chronic pain and the profound vulnerability you were willing to show. Both my wife and watched the whole video in one sitting this morning. While we can’t relate to the specific health issues you’ve (Cameron) had to face, the realities of difficult, ongoing health issues and how it impacts family life and life in general is an experience with which we are quite familiar. In addition to our 18 year old daughter, we have twin sons who will turn 14 this coming February. And during this current Advent season, we gather around our Advent wreath and one of us shares a devotional and leads a chat on the theme. This past week it’s been the theme of hope. Our daughter in her devotion reflected on some verses from the Book of Job. Hearing her share where she’s come from, how she has processed her experiences of depression and anxiety, and what has seen her through, was profoundly moving. Never thought I’d ever an Advent devotion from Job on the topic of hope! All this to say that your conversation in this video was incredibly moving and wise and hopeful. I have no doubt that it will be a huge blessing to many wrestling with pain and the temptation to hopelessness they may experience. So as a Baptist pastor, just know that your ministry reaches far beyond your own Catholic tradition. Certain theological differences remain, but we have much in common. Blessings as you continue to serve our Lord in humility, honesty, vulnerability, and grace. Pastor Derek NS, Canada
And my wife wanted me to point out that while we’ve never been much for wrestling one another, we’ve been known to have vigorous theological discussions!
As the daughter of a mother who is always in pain from her arthritis, back trauma from a fall, MG, and a myriad of other conditions that limit her ability to do many daily activities on her own, I can relate to Matt's comment about hearing the requests for help from a "fresh" perspective. Thank you for validating the challenge of listening to our loved ones' requests with compassion, Matt. And thank you, Cameron, for inspiring men and women suffering from chronic pain to bear their cross, offer it up to the Lord, and showing us how to suffer well for the sake of God's glory. God bless you both and your family ❤️
How horrible for the family that lost a child. We have lost two through miscarriages, one quite traumatic, and almost lost our miracle baby earlier this year. Many prayers for them in their pain!
OH my goodness Cameron I relate to you in so many ways! I am in total agreement with voices! There are some I just cannot listen to. I understand the illness, not being able to eat, and being accused of having an eating disorder. I finally found a doctor who said she knew exactly what was wrong, Endometriosis. Long story...I ended up with a full hysterectomy but was so much better afterward. God Bless you, Matt, and your family. I will keep you all in my prayers.
I have so much of the same hurts!!! I'm Catholic and I can't stand and sit and stand so I just sit through Mass. I use the electric carts! My husband shops, cooks, cleans!!! He is such a wonderful help with my chronic pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis!! I don't have to feel self conscious any more! I'm not alone!! Thank you for this podcast! God Bless you and stay safe. ✝️💖🙏🙏🙏💒
this was incredible to listen to! I have so many of the same health issues as cameron. Mine errs towards more lyme & co infections & mold toxicity but I also have POTS and in the past dealt with terrible Mast cell, I wonder if I have EDS. I hope my husband watches this its such a struggle for us to get through but am so thankful to have Our Lord & our Catholic faith your show definetly helped in our conversion! God bless!
Most beautiful podcast I have ever seen. You can just see how much Matt loves his wife in his eyes. I wish more married couples love each other as much as these two do.
Cameron, just started this video, but had to tell you I saw you and Matt on Lila's you spoke about how how you feel about letting others down when you have a Lupus flare. THAT is how I feel and have for years! I offer all to the Lord but still feel bad letting others down. You heard my heart! Thank you! Blessings
Thank you! Diagnosed with Celiac, POTS, Endo, Hypothyroidism, etc. years ago. Oh the list! So nice to see you bring this topic up! Catholics with these issues can really find Mass difficult because we need it so much, but it can be a challenge to just get through it! Sometimes just knowing others are out there who “get it” can be such a help! Thank you sooo much for the compassion and bringing awareness to this invisible illness. Pax.
Thank you! I have lived with Chronic pain for 7 years and 11 months now - chronic daily migraines and so many things you said rang true. 100% spending money to get my hair washed and blow it is a necessity! I have a few friends who get in - one fried says, I know our plans are loose until you text me I am on the way! Shes is great. Most people give up and think - Oh, are you still sick??? But thanks for your courage. I am going to follow your podcast.
I'm sitting here listening as a guy with chronic pain and I'm like I bet she's got POTS like me or was told that at some point. Bam when you live with something it's easier to see in others.
Liam, Kiara, Avila and Peter..if you are reading this pls love your parents so much..they've done so much for you and are sooo amazing..especially love your mom as Jesus loved His..she is really standing upright by her cross like Mary..she is a superwoman..God bless
Thank yall so much for this. Pcos runs un my family and I was an RN for 33 years with multiple spinal surgeries. Struggle with anxiety and depression and am a widow. From NC
Oh my goodness, Matt, that last few minutes you made me cry my eyes out 😭 what an absolutely beautiful relationship. Real, and honest and raw. Something to aspire to, for sure. So beautiful.
Just came to say that I was in Mass today and I felt achy all over and like I was going to faint, and I got really scared. Then I remembered this video and was able to push through it and even feel okay towards the end. Bless you, Cameron!
Yes, there are men with chronic pain. My husband's back was injured at work many years ago and it's 100% not treatable. So he deals daily with about 5/10 on the pain scale on good days and far more than that on bad days. I, like Matt, sometimes forget because it's become normal. I also deal with chronic pain from an very old back injury that wasn't properly treated and he forgets. My best friend also has MCAS, so this was very enlightening. Thank you for sharing this conversation, it reminded me I need to renew compassion for my husband and others.
I love Cameron at the end and showing his emotions. I have the same illness as she does, minus the joint hypermobility. My husband hasn't seen me, and I long for him to speak to me on something like this. He's sort of seen me. He became so frustrated with me that for 3 years, he barely came home and refused to help. He got to the point of almost leaving me. After that, I started hiding my pain and experience, and he started coming home and acts so happy with me now. I still struggle a lot, but he just can't handle it. It makes me very sad that I'm in this situation but have been doing all I can to get better. I'm trying all I can. I've gotten a lot better. It's helped that he came home and is happy now. It's one less thing for me to stress about. I think that stress made my symptoms a lot worse. My symptoms have improved tremendously in the last few weeks. I feel less alone hearing her story. Anyway, we are not Catholic, but I've been wanting to go to church over the last few years. I might just do it soon.
Thank you so much for this episode. As a Catholic convert with many of these same issues (IBS, ME/CFS, POTS, EDS, MCAS, among other diagnoses), it was incredibly helpful to hear a fellow patient who shares my faith talk about what prayer looks like when we are chronically ill.
This episode is for everyone to hear! Her words are such a powerful example of God's Trust and his Mercy. God bless you both Matt and Cameron, and your family.
Bless you, Cameron. I have EDS and many of the comorbidities. It's hard. I have finally reach a mental place in which I wake up every morning and thank God for waking me up and asking to be of use. On my bad days, when I can't move and I can't even remember the Our Father or the Hail Mary, I too say the Jesus Prayer. Bless you too, Matt. Sometimes I believe my husband suffers more than I do, just from the worry. And bless your children. Our youngest two were about 8 and 10 when I became sick enough to be disabled, and after ten years they still frame time as before and after Mother had her first spine injury. Bless you all as a family. Its hard , but it can bring you together and make you closer if you let it. Love to you all.
I'm finally going to see a doctor for chronic issues which I originally ascribed to vaccine injury and long covid, but I've realised may be an old Lyme disease infection that may not have been entirely cured. I should have done this months ago because it's making working and life in general very difficult, and, if it is Lyme disease, it will only get worse. At this rate I may end up paralysed, and the neurological symptoms are already starting to show. Thank you for this video and all the clips, it helps me understand this in the light of the Catholic faith which I found after 22 years of atheism. I'm getting baptised and confirmed at my church's Easter vigil, I just hope I can still walk to do it. Update: I do indeed still have Lyme disease, or at least its consequences. Cameron is absolutely right about validation.
I just watched this with my wife and she told me the next morning, (speaking of your wife, Matt), “I feel like I have met my twin.” Btw, if you guys are ever in NY, I’m a Licensed Massage Therapist on Long Island. God bless you guys and your beautiful family.
I agree, only by God’s grace I went through all my cancer treatments. There was one time when I was in a great deal of pain, doctor thought I had anxiety attack. Prayers and Eucharist got me through it all.
Thank you for sharing. I hope one day my wife will hear this and understand more deeply the pain I've been living with... Not just the physical but the emotional and psychological
Thank you both for being so honest about living chronic illness and pain. I listen to Among the lilies and have found such relief that I am not alone. I have been married for five years and for three of those years I have suffered with chronic pancreatitis and I feel so bad for my wonderful husband. It is nice to hear Matt’s story of your journey. Please talk about this more!!!
I've lived with minor chronic pain since about 6. I have Venus Malformations all along the left part of my body that require surgery to remove every few years after they get to big. They aren't to bad most of the time, probably a constant 1 or 2 level pain, but they do hurt a decent amount when they get to big. God bless you and your wife for spreading joy and the gospel Mr. Fradd.
It's amazing God's timing...I needed this after being more & more isolated, suffering from unresolved ADHD, PPMD, CFS. I've been angry more than normal yesterday & today & have felt like cursing God & dying. Needed to hear Cameron's story for sure then...bless you both!!!
Wow!!! Exactly what I go through. Just last Saturday, Pentacotes Vigil and got so sick. I was going through fibromyalgia flare ups and had Went through decades misdiagnosed with endromotiosos for over 10 years and I did my own research and still do. Thank you so much for sharing all this. Soooo sorry for your miscarriage and the mutual respect you have for each other. That’s what marriages should always be. God bless and stay safe always. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💕
Thank you so much for this. I’ve heard her speak before but never this open and raw. So incredibly inspiring. My husband and I are new to journeying my chronic pain together as I’ve just started sharing after listening to Cameron a few months ago. Hearing a beautiful married couple share together is exactly what we needed. Please do more of these. ❤
My brother in law is a quadriplegic for 42 years.
24/7 caretaking
His parents have given their life for him. They are 82 and still taking care of him.
They are all Saints
When happens to him when they pass away?
🙏
Thank you
We will take over when that day comes. Happy new year and gods blessings to you all
@@PraiseChrist4EverI hope you are well and blessed.
If you know someone who lives with chronic pain or a chronic illness, tell them about this episode.
I'm going to recommend this episode to my daughter and niece, bot of whom have autoimmune disorders. I will be adding Cameron to my prayers. My own chronic pain is nothing in comparison.
Ever been tested for Lyme disease? I had all the auto immune symptoms and was diagnosed with a unspecified connective tissue disorder… then took a Lyme titer and figured out it was Lyme all along…
I do. I've just started watching. All I can think of so far, is how lucky she is to have a supportive husband. I'm one step down from that with no husband, and the worst would be an unsupportive husband.
When Cameron mentioned how much better she does at the beach, it reminded me how beneficial salt therapy is like the salt caves you can go to and rent sessions. I feel she may get very similar benefits. Any ways to get sodium like that, breathing it in, even soaking in it like Epsom salt baths.
Carnivore diet‼️Look it up
I love Cameron! It’s not easy to find Catholic women podcasters who don’t come across as too fluffy and giggly. Someone who talks straight about hard things seems more relevant and needed now. I am grateful for her. 💕
True about the fluffy giggly thing. I’m outgoing but can’t relate as a melancholic person
@@GinnyShilliday I AGREE! I could be friends with her. She is very real:)
Not sure if you’ll see my comment but I wanted to say how I appreciated this episode. I have Multiple Sclerosis and our teen daughter was just diagnosed with Hypermobility Joint Syndrome & we’re being sent to a specialist to see if it’s actually EDS. She’s been suffering for years with joint pain and all her joints popping. Anyway, I usually do not comment on videos but we’ve been watching your channel for awhile now & are converting to Catholicism, currently in RCIA expecting to be confirmed the day before Easter. Suffering is a gift once it can be embraced but it doesn’t make the cross any lighter to carry. God bless you and your wife.
Thanks be to God for your story and conversion
Much love sent! ❤ Welcome home!
@@Xanaseb Thank you so much!
@@relentlessrhythm2774 I’m so excited I can hardly stand it! Yes, I have found home! ♥
Welcome home 😍🙏😍🙏!
Literally THE best episode of Pints with Aquinas that has ever been made. God BLESS both of your vulnerability, your suffering, and your Tremendous commitment to your Sacramental vocation to one another and your children.
Cameron, you are an INSPIRATION for what it means to be a Joyful, Authentic Catholic. Hearing you be completely real and tell your story of experience is So humbling and evidential of God’s Faithfulness.
Matt, you are a Beautiful husband to your wife and servant leader to your family. The love you two share is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.
God bless you both. Be assured of my prayers!!
+ ONE in the Body of Christ +
Matt, your face when she was giving her testimony about her stomach pains in Canada, while she was describing how she kept food down, is how I look when my husband is talking sometimes. It's a look that says to me, "my spouse might already be a saint. I need to get my life together."
"I am God's precious sweet little girl. " So lovely and powerful statement.
0:00 Hair care
3:27 Talking to women and being a tomboy
6:10 Need for validation
12:02 Birth control pills
13:40 Intensive Care Unit
19:15 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, joint dislocations
23:55 Wrestling (and Fradd's aggressive relationship)
27:38 After ICU, vestibular rehabilitation (learning to walk again)
29:51 Downplaying own pain
32:17 Skepticism about diagnosis, ADHD
35:11 Offering up own suffer, prayer life
41:34 Growing in community, supportive friends
44:32 Uncertainty if the disease goes away,
46:55 Despair and humility
48:28 Other people's assumptions
51:18 How to be helpful to a person with chronic pain
1:00:55 Difficulties in loving the spouse
1:02:57 Expressing the pain
1:04:47 C-section in Ireland
1:07:09 Text from Fr. Jason, life is hard
1:09:10 Having hope (regarding a Canadian ad for assisted suicide)
1:11:26 Concerns about slothfulness
1:14:04 Travelling, preparations
1:16:25 Supporting a spouse who doesn't want to get better
1:22:14 Fasting, meatless days
1:23:45 Self-care vs self-indulgence
1:26:25 Are there men with chronic diseases?
1:28:35 Feeling pressure of traditional wife model
1:30:58 Favorite type of doctor
1:33:37 Medical expenses
1:37:20 Taking identity in own pain
1:40:10 Enjoying life
1:47:58 Gratitude Journal
1:57:29 Having a sick wife (apologies)
2:00:25 Being open, turning to Jesus
2:01:51 Failures of medical system, Cameron's childhood
2:04:16 Hallow app shout-out
YAJUN YUAN is great at providing timecodes, but since I haven't seen him/her in comments lately, I thought I could give it a go while listening. Maybe it will be helpful.
Wow! Thanks so much! Mind if we put these in the description?
@@pintswithaquinas Of course I don't mind, I'm glad if it's even a tiny bit helpful :) God bless you.
Thank you so much!
That's great! I wanted my husband to listen to parts of this because I have chronic pain but it is undiagnosed and it's hard to get him to understand
@@Nunwannabe1234So, did your husband watch it? Did it help him to better understand your situation? I’m hoping my husband will watch it, but 2 hours is longer than his attention span. Lol Seriously, he falls asleep all the time! Anyway, did it help?
God bless you and heal you. I hope you’re doing well.🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Please pray for my husband who has chronic back and knee pain 🙏🏻
🙏what’s his name??
My aunt and uncle had bad chronic knee pain for years. Idk what exactly was there issues, something with the bones I believe. But they were desperate for a solution. They got stem cells into their knees, and they no longer have pain, it greatly diminished. It was costly, 10,000 dollars, but they say it was worth it. Hope and pray everyone living with chronic pain can find some relief and peace. 🙏Very sad for those who suffer and struggle.
Praying!
Not sure if your husband has sciatica but my husband is dealing with chronic pain in the same places because of sciatica. It’s been very difficult to witness and I pray they can both recover soon
Be sure, I'll do it.
Oh wow! I suffered from PCOS and endometriosis as well. The validation thing was amazing!! Cysts would burst and I would pass out an highschool… but we didn’t know what it was. I would wake up in ambulances after passing out from these shocky pains. The 10 day periods… the miscarriages when I was married…. I have one son, my miracle baby, who came between miscarriages. The docs said I shouldn’t have been able to carry him. I felt like a walking case study. My parents thought I was a hypochondriac. I also went on the pill because I would get so anemic from my menses. I had an injury while playing soccer and tore my right ACL/MCL. I learned I have hyper mobile joints, so the docs wouldn’t repair the knee. I began having fall after fall, eventually wrecking my other knee and my spine in the process. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at this point. My doc said I had probably had it most of my life, but they didn’t know what it was back then. I got depressed, felt so lifeless. Gained 150 lbs in about a year. My knees constantly come out of the sockets, I’m losing weight to (God-willing) have knee replacements soon. I rarely walk. I’m in a wheelchair usually. I developed a hiatal hernia. I had a gallstone get stuck in my common bile duct, had a procedure to open it enough to it to pass thru the duct… only for it to get stuck in a diverticula where it went on what I’ve named “the trifecta of ewwwww!” That stone drove a fistula from my colon through my lady bits and into my bladder! Seriously…. What more?!
Yes, everything hurts and some days are just terrible. But I have learned that every bit of pain is NOTHING when I look at what Jesus endured during His passion, or what Mother Mary endured in her seven sorrows.
God bless you, Cameron, what a beautiful message of hope. I’m hoping that one day I will earn some bit of grace… I feel like I am just constantly falling short.
God bless you, sweet friend. I am so grateful for your comment; it really helps me see Jesus. You are so beautiful, and I'm praying for you. I am so sorry you are going through this.
There are so many people hurt out there. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through so much. I, too have fibromyalgia, and also, several autoimmune disease that cause me constant pain. I’ve gained a ton of weight from steroids. Look for Cameron’s video where she says she is off all her meds and doing the Carnivore Diet. I’m going to give it a try. God bless you and give you the grace you need to accomplish His will for you🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
My husband and I have watched this together after he recommended it to me. My husband is actually the one with EDS, POTS, MCAS, GERD, etc. and just wanted to share because while it seems predominantly women, my husband suffers with that chronic pain. And so much of what you both have said applies to us as a couple. THANK YOU for sharing so openly the sufferings, joys, and couplehood inside your marriage. 💚
Thanks for sharing. May God bless and comfort you 🕊️❤️
I pray for healing to all who suffer from chronic pain. I care for my husband who has leg ulcers and I changed my thinking when feeling overwhelmed from, "I have to dress his leg again" to " I get to dress his leg again because he is still with me and alive." God bless you Cameron, Matt and family.
As someone who is also choleric and struggles with chronic illness, this was extremely validating. Thank you for sharing Cameron! Also to Matt, it's so evident on your face that you love your wife. Very sweet to watch! :)
Sometimes I think with my pain, I’ve wanted to hear from my spouse, even if it NEVER gets better, I’m in this with you. Sometimes I’m afraid that the constant optimism is because that’s the only way he could deal. And I get scared that he could handle it if I didn’t get better.
So to me, the best thing is to know that no matter what, my spouse is on my team and in it to win it. And the recovery and optimism is secondary to the commitment to the worst possible scenario in regards to health.
Thank you for this comment. I do think that women often force themselves into optimism and coping because the men in their lives cannot bear to see them in pain, and it's just 'easier' to suffer alone than to suffer your pain and cope with their inability to cope at the same time.
I’ve thought about what if my pain stopped and I could be normal again. It’s kind of scary, in a way. What would I do? After 20+ years of pain, I’ve lost who I am without it. I know I would try to serve God in some way, but doing what, I don’t know. But, I’d like to try it, i think.
Had me in tears at the end due to the raw honesty and vulnerability. Thank you, Cameron, for sharing your sufferings. Thank you, Matt, for apologizing to Cameron for not “seeing” her as she is. I think this episode is very powerful and shares an aspect of life that isn’t talked about very much.
What an absolute Saint and a beautiful woman. Praise God for her inspiring faith in the face of suffering
I loved this episode. I rarely enjoy couples interviews because the couples are giggly or disingenuous in a way I can’t explain- but I loved watching you two. Praying for you, Cameron- If Cincinnati wasn’t on the other side of Ohio I’d find some way to bump into you (gently so as not to throw a joint out) and say hi!
Also: I LOVE that you encouraged others to not let their conditions become their identity. After my diagnosis I joined some support groups for it, and swiftly left because it was SO depressing by how the poor souls there just made that their entire identity.
It's a weird couple though. He mentionned that they wrestled to the ground in a cafe. Despite knowing how terrible her dislocating condition is . I can tell they were not meant for each other. It's a real strenuous relationship. I hope she not somatizing.
@@major9004 I think you have been very careful to NOT understand what they were talking about. Is English by some chance not your first language? While I think I'd be very put off by a couple publicly wrestling - I prefer a certain amount of restraint and decorum and dignity in public, and I would not want to see something that is obviously 'private play' to them - they made it very clear that they enjoy that kind of physical expression. It's like play to them BOTH; they both voluntarily engage in it and Cameron said that Matt stops immediately if she tells him to. There's clearly great mutual love and respect between them. Look at Matt Fradd's eyes when his wife talks about her suffering. There's no doubt that he is completely in awe of her as a person and loves her deeply. Also, did you completely ignore how faith-based their courtship was and how she is absolutely certain that he is right for her? You've missed 98% of what they talk about and how they interact and then drawn a wrong conclusion.
@@major9004Though I doubt I would ever do such a thing, it is possible that they were with friends, and weren’t bothered by what they thought. Anyway, as the other commenter said, you can’t just pick out one thing and say they don’t belong together. They expressed so much love for each other, especially Matt, you can see how much he loves her. Don’t judge then on one thing. I have a 40 year old daughter that is always play fighting with two of her siblings, so I guess it’s not too unusual, annoying at times, though.
As a person living with chronic pain (Lupus, RA, Sjogrens, Menniere’s, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Asthma, disc degeneration) I can totally relate to Cameron. But, God’s grace has seen me through all of it. God bless you both 🙏🏼
Cameron your honesty is so healing to me. Thank you for sharing your post partum depression journey and how our wounds are the key to ministry. You have no idea how much you've helped me.
Oh I’m so glad Patricia praying for you
The amount that I relate to Cameron is incredible. I'm not a "girly girl," I'm not super emotional, it took me like 4 years to get diagnosed with PCOS, I have Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, and recently found out I have ulcers and liver problems. I also have a bad back/nerve issues from a botched spinal cord surgery. She's right. It is only by the grace of God that we can get through it. Doctors belittle you, meds don't work, you can't make it through a day. Prayers for you always!
Yes...doctors put me on psych meds...while i have visible damage in my spine, shoulders, hands, ankles due to spondilitis which is a joint inflamatory condition. Its been 11 yrs until finally i am officially diagnosed. We feel so alone and misunderstood like Our Lord in Getsemani
Oh wow! I think you have as many illnesses as I have! It’s rough, I know. I’ve been going through chronic pain for 20+ years. God bless you and give you the grace you need to get through it!🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
@@etcwhatever that’s horrible they should be sued! I had an allergist 30 years ago put down on my patient file that I was depressed. That’s all he got out of everything I told him? What the heck? What a bad doctor he was! Have you seen Cameron’s video on her healing from the Carnivore diet? There’s also one on Tammy Peterson’s channel, where she was healed from the Lion diet. I’m going to give her a try! Praying for your healing🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I can’t thank you enough for this interview. My daughter told me I was a lot like Cameron, she loves Among the Lilies. I had no idea until I watched this episode how similar we are in personality and chronic pain. I’m not a girly girl, either. I don’t know if I’d get through any of this without my faith, either. I’ve been to the edge of despair. Anyway, thank you, again, I felt validated watching this.
Thank you so much for this episode, I have never felt so heard or understood. I am a 20 year old with PCOS and ENDO, and the *only* things getting me through my pain episodes is my faith and my partner. I hit rock bottom at 17, that same year I met my best friend and now fiancée, meeting him also brought me back to my faith (even though he's a Catholic and I'm Orthodox). Knowing that there is a happy and stable future for me has given my pain purpose. Matt and Cameron, thank you for being so candid and vulnerable in this episode, I already know I will be rewatching it multiple times whenever I need strength. I always appreciate hearing women speak on this podcast and the passion and empathy in Cameron's eyes while she spoke healed my soul in a way I didn't know it could (or needed to) be. Thank you.
May God give you strength Cameron! God bless you, Matt and your beautiful children!
Your health story sounds very similar to Mikhaila Peterson (Jordan Peterson's daughter). She was able to get off all medications by going on a red meat only diet (she calls it the Lion Diet), and her whole family is now on it. She has a website and quite a few videos covering the topic. After looking into it, the support groups have thousands of stories of resolving and helping chronic conditions including MS, IBS, Crohn's, MCAS, Lyme and others. I was told diet had nothing to do with crohn's by 4 different specialists, but was able to completely resolve it with a strict carnivore diet.
Oh, wow! I’m just starting my Carnivore/Lion diet journey. I have watched the Peterson’s videos. If you’re not aware, Tammy Peterson, Jordan’s wife has been healed of her autoimmune diseases, too. She eats only lamb. Cameron and Tammy’s testimonies made me look into it. I have already found out one week in that I have a problem with oxalate dumping. I jumped in too fast and now have to back track a little and adjust my diet more slowly. Did you feel extremely tired when you began the diet? It seems like I just can’t get enough sleep.
I was saying this above, I’m carnivore because oxilates in plant based foods (spinach, almonds) can be very harmful for autoimmune people.
The following quote was shared with me (place of origin unknown) I have MS and this helped me put things into perspective as well. Thank you so much for this interview.
"My Doctor Recently Asked Me How Many "Usable Hours" I Have in a Day. She told me that a healthy person has, on average, around 10 "usable hours" a day. These hours can be spent going to work, getting errands done, and fulfilling other responsibilities. We realized that, on a good day, I have around 4 "usable hours" with lots of rest in between.
This really hit home for me because, despite knowing better, I still try to keep up with healthy people. I try to squeeze their 10 hours of socially-acceptable responsibilities into my 4 hours each day. The equivalent would be if a healthy person tried to fit 25 hours of responsibilities into their 10 usable hours a day. It also made me understand why I felt like time was slipping me by so quickly; because a healthy person has approximately 6 more usable hours a day than me, 42 more a week and 186 more a month."
Yes, that makes a lot of sense to me! Have you heard of the spoon theory? Everybody gets so many spoons each day. You use them up as you do things. Those of us who have chronic pain or illness get less spoons at the beginning of the day, and sometimes it takes more than one spoon to accomplish something. Blessings🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I'm on a chronic illness journey as well, and I have found this TH-camr "Ribeye Rach" who also has POTS, lyme, and similar things to Cameron. Her channel is amazing -- I especially appreciate her Christian perspective on the journey.
There is not enough Catholic support like this for people who suffer from physical chronic pain; so I thank you. Videos are made to help people who are caretakers or who have someone close to them suffering, but zippo for those with the actual challenge of enduring illness and pain.
This conversation between you two was so incredible to witness. I am quite sick with my pregnancy and even though I know it will end, it can feel so intense and isolating. Friends have banded together to help us in so many ways and my husband is handling it with so much grace. But it’s HARD. Thank you for speaking so much truth and sharing your lives. So grateful!
Yes I feel so awful my whole pregnancy. I’ve had 4 and God willing we will have more, but it’s really teaching me to suffer.
Bless you and your wife. The love in your eyes when you look at her while she spoke of her pain made me cry several times during this. Thank you both for being incredibly real. I'll be praying for both of you. Merry Christmas!
Wow. Thank you for this episode. I've been suffering from chronic pain and chronic health issues for years. It's so hard to go through the day and keep a supernatural outlook. God Bless you!
This is so true. Spouses of someone dealing with chronic pain really need support too. It's hard, because so much in life is effected by it. I see my husband struggling with it too. I would love for him to be able to talk to people who really get it.
Wow, what alot of craziness. You two blow my mind how hilariously honest you both are. God bless your relationship and your witness. Love from Ireland 🇮🇪
Nice to see a fellow Irish Catholic here. Ireland really has lost its way in recent years unfortunately.
I'm absolutely amazed at all that Cameron deals with daily. God bless her and her doctors and your family and friends. 🙏❤
WOW!!! She has such deep faith through everything she's been through and living with! Praise God for this episode and the call to be hopeful in the Lord no matter what. Laughed and cried through so much of this talk. Thank you so much and be assured of my prayers for you both and your family xx
You cannot function without Gods Grace 🙏 I have been sick since I was 3 months old and just turned 56 after being told I had three years to live 35 years ago. God is Amazing and gives you the grace to live with so much🙏
God bless you! No we can’t live without God’s grace. You are a miracle. God bless you with health and peace🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Can I give this conversation a hundred Thumbs Up??? This was the best podcast EVER!
And the healing method Cameron was describing being done by the chiropractor in Florida is called CranioSacral Therapy. My daughter is a PT who is trained in it, and it's truly amazing. I just LOVE you guys, and can't wait to float the Seine in France with you next summer!
Someone may have asked, but who is this doctor in Florida? I suffer from chronic illnesses and it took 10 years of being seriously sick before I was diagnosed. Even now doctors try to re-diagnosed me. This has me in tears because I can relate to so much. People would say I simply didn't know how to clean a house. I'm all proud because the house is presentable and others are judging me because I didn't scrub the wall and trim of a the dirt from the dog and kids. Then I would break down and scrub from ceiling to floor and be in bed for 3 weeks. Holy indifference has been the greatest gift God has given me this past year. Thank you for doing this interview. 💜 I needed to be reminded it's okay to not be okay.
I can’t even begin to say how powerful this was, and how much it ministered to me. My issue is not chronic physical pain, yet I could relate to much of what Cameron shared - and I am both thankful and challenged by how she has offered up her suffering.
It is beautiful to see and hear a loving couple share so openly and vulnerably. For various reasons, it is easy for me to succumb to a sense of disillusionment and even cynicism about marriage; seeing the love between Matt and Cameron, hearing his words of admiration for her, and especially hearing his heartfelt apology - that was like a healing balm to my heart.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this episode.
Cameron is just beautiful inside and out.
I have systemic lupus, and it is only by the grace of God that I do what I am able to do. Bless you🙏
Ooooh my goodness! I completely understand so much of what Cameron is saying.
I’ve had a bad skin disorder my whole life, was always passed around by dermatologists, finally quit them, then slept on black mold for months without knowing, launched into a disease called TSW and most dermatologists deny that, stuck in a cycle or CIRS. Currently researching Mast Cells and Histamine Intolerance…
Been on a journey of uniting my suffering to Christ’s for reparation of sin in the world. It’s a heavy cross a lot of the time, but what a privileged place to be in, to participate in suffering for the sanctification of the world.
Thank you, Cameron, for your vulnerability and strength! Heart is with you and you’re not alone. Much of what you shared I have felt and still do.
Blessings, Fradds! Praying for your healing, Cameron. ❤
You are Gods precious little girl 🙏🏽 God Bless You Cameron 🙏🏽
Wow Cameron has been through so much. Matt too! I had my gall bladder removed when I was easily married and it was so scary. Chronic pain is such a heavy heavy cross. You all are a beautiful example! ❤
God bless your Cameron, thank you so much for this talk!!
Matt, I relate to you a ton, and my wife is incredibly similar to Cameron and her disposition. This conversation is an extraordinary reminder that our vocation is a beautiful means to grow in virtue and holiness. Thank you both for your authenticity and witness of love.
Cameron's joy is infectious
Thank you for sharing your story Cameron❤️ God bless you and Matt, such a beautiful couple 🙏🏼
Oh my gosh, yes Cameron. I’m an RN and suffer with chronic pain. I went through the endometriosis thing and had a full hysterectomy which ended that, but over time was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis an autoimmune disease. I have a multitude of other chronic illnesses, a mild form of EDS, Just loose joint syndrome, migraines and have had to live on pain medication and have had multiple surgeries, bones breaking in fact breaking both legs by tripping and falling one on one day and 10 days later the other leg, and it goes on and on. But without God I think I’d be dead.
Gosh - I love you both so much! You're in my prayers! So glad to be coming home to the Church & be in fellowship with such lovely people.
Seeing the love you have for your wife in your eyes Matt, melted my heart. I could see Jesus looking at Cameron. Thank you for allowing us to enter your sacred space and taste the goodness of God in the struggle.
The ending was so heartfelt and deep. Thank-you for sharing your journey Cameron and thank-you Matt for showing your heart towards your beloved. I think women have such a hard time with submission because it's scary to 'need' your husband. But we have to admit we ARE the weaker vessel we do NEED our husbands. And it's okay to admit that. It's okay to feel weak and not strong. God shines through our weakness. Look up masculine/feminine polarity. It saved our marriage. Women sharing their heart with their man is so healing. It makes a man rise up and be the protector of your heart.
Hi guys, just finished watching two of your podcasts and you are both in my prayers.
Cameron real life story with all her medical problems and struggles has really touched my heart. You made me cry woman and I pray to God, you with one day wake up renewed and full of life.
I love you both, may the Almighty God heal you physically and bless you...
Kind reminder to whoever oversees the social media to add the correct link for Cameron’s podcast.
As someone with a chronic illness, it was so valuable to see a relationship between two godly people that involves someone with a chronic illness in practice. I know we shouldn’t be listing ourselves as our illness (I agree with Cameron on this) but there were some significant logistical realities that I face that make marriage feel out of reach. I feel more hope after listening to this podcast and will keep your family in my prayers. Thank you for answering the call and sharing this today.
Cameron bears a heavy cross. She has been doing it with grace thanks to God's Grace. God bless her. I will pray for her and her family
The look of love and incredible compassion on Matt's face at 38:45 was heartbreaking. My wife of 42 years has faced many of the same issues and I feel embarrassed that I haven't been more compassionate. Great video guys!
If she’s still here, you still have time! Don’t lose the chance. 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Minutes 1:53:21 through 2:00:00 is some of the most insightful, beautiful, and powerful "podcast" tv I've ever seen. Thank you both for being so open and vulnerable and for the wisdom Cameron shared. Beautiful!
Greetings. I am a Baptist pastor in NS, Canada. I have appreciated your interview videos for quite some time. To me, the longer form discussions are much more interesting and reach a much greater depth than anything in traditional media. I also confess a certain envy of your podcast set. That table, especially, looks amazing!
I realize that you likely do not read many comments, but my wife and daughter have had to deal with very serious seasons of depression. Only during the last couple of years has our now 18 year old daughter begun to emerge healthy after roughly 5 years of mental health struggles. She’s now becoming the person she’s been wanting to be for years. As parents, it has been an enormously difficult journey. But to see her now is such a grace-filled gift!
And so I write to thank you (Matt and Cameron) for this conversation on chronic pain and the profound vulnerability you were willing to show. Both my wife and watched the whole video in one sitting this morning. While we can’t relate to the specific health issues you’ve (Cameron) had to face, the realities of difficult, ongoing health issues and how it impacts family life and life in general is an experience with which we are quite familiar.
In addition to our 18 year old daughter, we have twin sons who will turn 14 this coming February. And during this current Advent season, we gather around our Advent wreath and one of us shares a devotional and leads a chat on the theme. This past week it’s been the theme of hope. Our daughter in her devotion reflected on some verses from the Book of Job. Hearing her share where she’s come from, how she has processed her experiences of depression and anxiety, and what has seen her through, was profoundly moving. Never thought I’d ever an Advent devotion from Job on the topic of hope!
All this to say that your conversation in this video was incredibly moving and wise and hopeful. I have no doubt that it will be a huge blessing to many wrestling with pain and the temptation to hopelessness they may experience.
So as a Baptist pastor, just know that your ministry reaches far beyond your own Catholic tradition. Certain theological differences remain, but we have much in common.
Blessings as you continue to serve our Lord in humility, honesty, vulnerability, and grace.
Pastor Derek
NS, Canada
And my wife wanted me to point out that while we’ve never been much for wrestling one another, we’ve been known to have vigorous theological discussions!
Matt’s face at 1:43:00 when he realizes how close he was to losing her. My heart felt that.
As the daughter of a mother who is always in pain from her arthritis, back trauma from a fall, MG, and a myriad of other conditions that limit her ability to do many daily activities on her own, I can relate to Matt's comment about hearing the requests for help from a "fresh" perspective. Thank you for validating the challenge of listening to our loved ones' requests with compassion, Matt. And thank you, Cameron, for inspiring men and women suffering from chronic pain to bear their cross, offer it up to the Lord, and showing us how to suffer well for the sake of God's glory. God bless you both and your family ❤️
How horrible for the family that lost a child. We have lost two through miscarriages, one quite traumatic, and almost lost our miracle baby earlier this year. Many prayers for them in their pain!
OH my goodness Cameron I relate to you in so many ways! I am in total agreement with voices! There are some I just cannot listen to.
I understand the illness, not being able to eat, and being accused of having an eating disorder. I finally found a doctor who said she knew exactly what was wrong, Endometriosis. Long story...I ended up with a full hysterectomy but was so much better afterward. God Bless you, Matt, and your family. I will keep you all in my prayers.
I have so much of the same hurts!!! I'm Catholic and I can't stand and sit and stand so I just sit through Mass. I use the electric carts! My husband shops, cooks, cleans!!! He is such a wonderful help with my chronic pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis!! I don't have to feel self conscious any more! I'm not alone!! Thank you for this podcast! God Bless you and stay safe. ✝️💖🙏🙏🙏💒
Cameron gives so much hope to me. Blessings to your family!
Anastasiia
I absolutely loved the last part of this episode. You two are such a holy couple, and I love you both.
This is so very beautiful. What a true witness of sacrificial love! God bless you and your family. 🙏
this was incredible to listen to! I have so many of the same health issues as cameron. Mine errs towards more lyme & co infections & mold toxicity but I also have POTS and in the past dealt with terrible Mast cell, I wonder if I have EDS. I hope my husband watches this its such a struggle for us to get through but am so thankful to have Our Lord & our Catholic faith your show definetly helped in our conversion! God bless!
Most beautiful podcast I have ever seen. You can just see how much Matt loves his wife in his eyes. I wish more married couples love each other as much as these two do.
Cameron, just started this video, but had to tell you I saw you and Matt on Lila's you spoke about how how you feel about letting others down when you have a Lupus flare. THAT is how I feel and have for years! I offer all to the Lord but still feel bad letting others down. You heard my heart! Thank you! Blessings
Such a beautiful story and example. This is an encouragement for me, I love to see the joy of Christ in you
We have trying and praying for our first for four years. I just had my second NaPro surgery in November. Your story is giving me hope!
It's beautiful you are humble enough to allow other people to grow in holiness by serving you!!! ❤️ NET USA 05-06
Thank you! Diagnosed with Celiac, POTS, Endo, Hypothyroidism, etc. years ago. Oh the list! So nice to see you bring this topic up! Catholics with these issues can really find Mass difficult because we need it so much, but it can be a challenge to just get through it! Sometimes just knowing others are out there who “get it” can be such a help! Thank you sooo much for the compassion and bringing awareness to this invisible illness.
Pax.
Thank you! I have lived with Chronic pain for 7 years and 11 months now - chronic daily migraines and so many things you said rang true. 100% spending money to get my hair washed and blow it is a necessity! I have a few friends who get in - one fried says, I know our plans are loose until you text me I am on the way! Shes is great. Most people give up and think - Oh, are you still sick??? But thanks for your courage. I am going to follow your podcast.
Very genuine, beautiful. Thank you!
I'm sitting here listening as a guy with chronic pain and I'm like I bet she's got POTS like me or was told that at some point. Bam when you live with something it's easier to see in others.
Liam, Kiara, Avila and Peter..if you are reading this pls love your parents so much..they've done so much for you and are sooo amazing..especially love your mom as Jesus loved His..she is really standing upright by her cross like Mary..she is a superwoman..God bless
Thank yall so much for this. Pcos runs un my family and I was an RN for 33 years with multiple spinal surgeries. Struggle with anxiety and depression and am a widow. From NC
This podcast had me sobbing all throughout, I had to take breaks. Thank you so much
Thank you very much to the Fradds for this podcast. It will be very fruitful. God bless you and family Abundantly.
Oh my goodness, Matt, that last few minutes you made me cry my eyes out 😭 what an absolutely beautiful relationship. Real, and honest and raw. Something to aspire to, for sure. So beautiful.
Just came to say that I was in Mass today and I felt achy all over and like I was going to faint, and I got really scared. Then I remembered this video and was able to push through it and even feel okay towards the end. Bless you, Cameron!
Yes, there are men with chronic pain. My husband's back was injured at work many years ago and it's 100% not treatable. So he deals daily with about 5/10 on the pain scale on good days and far more than that on bad days. I, like Matt, sometimes forget because it's become normal. I also deal with chronic pain from an very old back injury that wasn't properly treated and he forgets. My best friend also has MCAS, so this was very enlightening. Thank you for sharing this conversation, it reminded me I need to renew compassion for my husband and others.
Low dose Naltrexone yes! Saved me in my second pregnancy! So glad you mentioned it. Love you guys both from Croatia:)
I love Cameron at the end and showing his emotions. I have the same illness as she does, minus the joint hypermobility. My husband hasn't seen me, and I long for him to speak to me on something like this. He's sort of seen me. He became so frustrated with me that for 3 years, he barely came home and refused to help. He got to the point of almost leaving me. After that, I started hiding my pain and experience, and he started coming home and acts so happy with me now. I still struggle a lot, but he just can't handle it. It makes me very sad that I'm in this situation but have been doing all I can to get better. I'm trying all I can. I've gotten a lot better. It's helped that he came home and is happy now. It's one less thing for me to stress about. I think that stress made my symptoms a lot worse. My symptoms have improved tremendously in the last few weeks. I feel less alone hearing her story. Anyway, we are not Catholic, but I've been wanting to go to church over the last few years. I might just do it soon.
Thank you so much for this episode. As a Catholic convert with many of these same issues (IBS, ME/CFS, POTS, EDS, MCAS, among other diagnoses), it was incredibly helpful to hear a fellow patient who shares my faith talk about what prayer looks like when we are chronically ill.
This episode is for everyone to hear! Her words are such a powerful example of God's Trust and his Mercy. God bless you both Matt and Cameron, and your family.
Bless you, Cameron. I have EDS and many of the comorbidities. It's hard. I have finally reach a mental place in which I wake up every morning and thank God for waking me up and asking to be of use. On my bad days, when I can't move and I can't even remember the Our Father or the Hail Mary, I too say the Jesus Prayer.
Bless you too, Matt. Sometimes I believe my husband suffers more than I do, just from the worry.
And bless your children. Our youngest two were about 8 and 10 when I became sick enough to be disabled, and after ten years they still frame time as before and after Mother had her first spine injury.
Bless you all as a family. Its hard , but it can bring you together and make you closer if you let it. Love to you all.
I'm finally going to see a doctor for chronic issues which I originally ascribed to vaccine injury and long covid, but I've realised may be an old Lyme disease infection that may not have been entirely cured.
I should have done this months ago because it's making working and life in general very difficult, and, if it is Lyme disease, it will only get worse.
At this rate I may end up paralysed, and the neurological symptoms are already starting to show.
Thank you for this video and all the clips, it helps me understand this in the light of the Catholic faith which I found after 22 years of atheism.
I'm getting baptised and confirmed at my church's Easter vigil, I just hope I can still walk to do it.
Update: I do indeed still have Lyme disease, or at least its consequences. Cameron is absolutely right about validation.
Welcomed to Christ’s Church! I’m glad you found an answer. ❤️🙏🏻❤️
I just watched this with my wife and she told me the next morning, (speaking of your wife, Matt), “I feel like I have met my twin.”
Btw, if you guys are ever in NY, I’m a Licensed Massage Therapist on Long Island. God bless you guys and your beautiful family.
I agree, only by God’s grace I went through all my cancer treatments. There was one time when I was in a great deal of pain, doctor thought I had anxiety attack. Prayers and Eucharist got me through it all.
I am getting tested for POTS right now. Everything you are saying is such a glimmer of hope for me! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing. I hope one day my wife will hear this and understand more deeply the pain I've been living with... Not just the physical but the emotional and psychological
I'm under the 20min mark but oh dear, how scary. Cameron you're so strong!! God bless you and your whole family. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you both for being so honest about living chronic illness and pain. I listen to Among the lilies and have found such relief that I am not alone. I have been married for five years and for three of those years I have suffered with chronic pancreatitis and I feel so bad for my wonderful husband. It is nice to hear Matt’s story of your journey. Please talk about this more!!!
I've lived with minor chronic pain since about 6. I have Venus Malformations all along the left part of my body that require surgery to remove every few years after they get to big. They aren't to bad most of the time, probably a constant 1 or 2 level pain, but they do hurt a decent amount when they get to big. God bless you and your wife for spreading joy and the gospel Mr. Fradd.
It's amazing God's timing...I needed this after being more & more isolated, suffering from unresolved ADHD, PPMD, CFS. I've been angry more than normal yesterday & today & have felt like cursing God & dying. Needed to hear Cameron's story for sure then...bless you both!!!
Thanks for your testimony. God please heal Cameroon, protect and bless more Frad's family. Amen
Wow!!! Exactly what I go through. Just last Saturday, Pentacotes Vigil and got so sick. I was going through fibromyalgia flare ups and had Went through decades misdiagnosed with endromotiosos for over 10 years and I did my own research and still do. Thank you so much for sharing all this. Soooo sorry for your miscarriage and the mutual respect you have for each other. That’s what marriages should always be. God bless and stay safe always. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💕
Thank you so much for this. I’ve heard her speak before but never this open and raw. So incredibly inspiring. My husband and I are new to journeying my chronic pain together as I’ve just started sharing after listening to Cameron a few months ago. Hearing a beautiful married couple share together is exactly what we needed. Please do more of these. ❤
i am a Catholic woman living with chronic illness. thank you Cameron. i especially related to you about being self conscious for kneeling in Mass!