As a flight nurse for STARS Air Ambulance, Sarah Painter knows about saving lives. After successfully receiving treatment for chronic pain through the Pain Care Program at Health Sciences Centre (HSC)’s Pain Clinic, she knows what it means to have a life saved, too.
“I spent lots of time thinking about the life I lost. To lose your health, job, mental well-being, income—it was my whole life,” she says. “That’s what I got back.”
In 2022, Sarah’s life as she knew it fell apart when she began experiencing an agonizing and persistent gynecological condition. Standard surgical intervention was repeatedly unsuccessful. One year and five surgeries later, she was left with excruciating neuropathic pain and deeply traumatized by her experiences.
“My symptoms were completely out of control, and I don’t think anybody knew what to do with me,” she says.
Sarah’s turnaround began when she was accepted into the Pain Care Program at HSC’s Pain Clinic in May 2023. “The moment I was accepted to the program, my life changed for the better,” she says.
The program provides specialized expertise in persistent pain. Under the care of Dr. Waiel Al-Moustadi, Sarah was able to unravel her experiences and understand how pain and trauma had affected her.
“Everything was relevant and important. To be in front of somebody who’s like, ‘you are what this program is about,’” was validating,” she says.
Sarah learned that her experiences had caused her brain to become wired for pain. “Pain and fear were together in all those experiences, and pain is made worse by fear,” she explains.
Part of her treatment involved retraining her brain through neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to learn and create new neural pathways. She also took advantage of learning opportunities at the clinic focused on managing chronic pain, wellness strategies, sleep, and physical fitness.
“I did almost everything,” she says. “I showed up to this in a tracksuit.”
The care, combined with Sarah’s commitment to her recovery, paid off. After two years in the Pain Care Program, she is preparing to return to work as a flight nurse.
She has her life back—and she credits HSC’s Pain Clinic with helping make that possible.
We All Need HSC, and HSC Needs You
You can save a life – today. When you purchase your HSC Millionaire Lottery tickets, you’re helping HSC provide the care Manitobans count on – and create new possibilities for patients like Sarah.
Because HSC isn’t just a hospital. It’s Manitoba’s hospital.
And while you’re helping transform health care in Manitoba, you’ll have the chance to win millions in prizes!
Win big and give back. Order tickets today!