I've got reflex sympathetic dystrophy and it took 7 yrs to retrain my hands to sew again. I believe pain will take up any available space in my brain so I work to keep me distracted by having lots of different projects to focus on instead of pain. Seems to help most days. Then there are days where pain overwhelms me and sewing is out. I still insist on doing something towards completing a project each day. Today I laid out a pc of fleece I'll make into an embroidered baby blanket. When you live in chronic pain, keeping stress down is critical. Having a plan helps but flexibility is crucial. I encourage everyone to focus on what you can do not what you can't. Knowing I'm not the only one with limits helps to and I remind me "this too shall pass" when pain stops me in my tracks. Then I get a cup of tea, put on some soothing music and put my legs up and rest a bit. I know when I'm feeling able I'll be back at the machine and into my stash!