Be Positive, patient and PERSISTENT

Be Positive, patient and PERSISTENT

Be POSITIVE.    I really think that statement alone says a lot about my everyday life with RSD/CRPS. My goal to be positive stems from the mind/body connection and is bigger than I will ever realize. RSD stress is almost always accompanied with negative thoughts can really effect the progression of the disease.

Be PATIENT.   Although every day I hope and pray it will be my last day living this nightmare, I know the reality is, there is no cure. I cannot even begin to explain how hard that one is to except, so I frequently hope and pray for a miracle.

Be PERSISTENT.    Persistence with my Physical Therapy and search for pain relief is my biggest hope for the best possible outcome for my future. And just in case you all didn't know I have BIG plans for my future and one plan includes beating this and never, ever giving up!

So as I head to the doctors today for yet another procedure (that I am nervous about) and for the hope of some pain relief, I ask that you say a little prayer for me that A) The procedure itself isn't too painful and B) That it is successful in relieving some if not all the pain in my right foot.  Of course if it works we do the left foot next. It's a long shot, but like I said...be PERSISTENT and never ever give up!

The gift of hope for healing

Well, times haven't changed to much here in the life and times of an RSDer. We are still taking it one day at a time and still hold out for hope, which today we were given the gift of some new hope. Not naming names however some very thoughtful and caring friends have given us the gift of a new treatment option. We feel beyond blessed to say the least. Next Monday I will start a two week journey with Dr. Fliss at Fliss Laser and Chiropractic.

I will be receiving spinal adjustments daily and Cold Laser Therapy both of which could be very beneficial for several reasons...

A spinal adjustment improves mobility and nerve function throughout the entire body. A healthy nervous system controls every aspect of your body. Our patients not only feel better, but also the improved autonomic nervous system effect regulates circulation to all muscles and tissues as well as directly improves organ function throughout the entire body.

Cold Laser therapy applied with adjusting is extremely beneficial and helps your injuries heal, rather than just masking the pain. Laser therapy gently gives patients a more effective, comfortable, longer lasting benefit from chiropractic treatment. Patients benefit from reduced pain and inflammation, increased range of motion and enhanced tissue repair.

We of course always pray for complete healing but we would also be thrilled with less pain with less medications!
Again thank you to our friends who have set me up with these appointments and for giving us renewed sense of hope!

Back to the begining...

So we are going for a long shot over the next two weeks. We are going back to earlier treatments to see if my body will respond positively. Today and the following Wednesday I am going back to the surgery center for two more sympathetic nerve blocks to both legs.

My doctor decide at this point my options are slim and it is worth a shot. I am willing to attempt anything that isn't to terribly invasive and is at least recognized as a treatment by my insurance. So the hope is relief in both legs and if at all possible a complete miracle that my body will see these blocks as if a reset button has been pushed and my body will once and for all go back to functioning the way it is intended to. Not likely, but I will not stop fighting or praying for complete HEALING!!

Thank you to everyone who has continued to be there for me, it helps more than you could ever know!



"You have to decide if you're going to wilt like a daisy or if you're just going to go forward and live the life that you've been granted." Kevin Costner

My New Year's Resolution...

Christmas 2011

Everything in life is a choice.

Are you going to choose to live miserable? 

Or

Are you going to live life with happiness and joy and show the world that despite your pain you live life and are a testament of endurance and strength?

My New Year’s Resolution...

Not giving up on HOPE. Having hope for me means taking a good look at where I am in my disease and knowing my limitations. Never giving up hope that one day there WILL be a cure for RSD!

Very few people are lucky enough to find a cure for their pain. For most with RSD, it is a lifelong experience from the onset of the illness. For me it has been two very long years since my RSD journey began.

Some people look at a disability in different ways. For some, their life is over. For others, they mentally wonder how they can live through this. I am focusing on living and finding ways to cope with my pain and get through each and every day without losing my smile!

Having chronic pain and coping with a disability hasn't been easy, I have given up so much. I have learned I now have limitations, and I have to live by. At the age of 34 (going on 35 in two days) this is tough to accept. I have however become more creative and learned how to do things differently in my day to day life to make things not only easier but more fulfilling.

I have to learn that I can't base my life on the things I can't do but what I can do.

I try very hard to look my best and enjoy life as best I can even though the pain is still there. Because of this, many people will confuse this with assuming I am feeling better and doing well. Instead, I hope they see my courage and perseverance!

I am still a person that cares. I have those that I love and that love me. I do have feelings. I do matter. I do have a husband that is my rock and for whom I am trying to live life to fullest with! In 2012 I vow to work hard on not focusing on what I have lost, but on all the wonderful things I have gained, and to NEVER give up hope!

Bring it on 2012!

I hope everyone has a very Happy and safe New Years!

New healing possibilities!

Today brings new healing possibilities... Throughout my RSD/CRPS journey I have been blessed to have family and friends always keeping me in mind when they hear about any type of treatments that may help me find relief and healing. I am very hopeful today is the start of more progress in the direction of healing and remission!

I have my first of 6 to 10 appointments starting today with Angelique Bollettieri DOM, A.P., LMT Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She has recently started treatments using SCENAR-therapy. SCENAR is an advanced form of electrotherapy and may be effective in treating acute and chronic pain.SCENAR therapy functions on two physiological principles: that the body has its own healing capabilities and that it is continually employing processes of self-regulation to maintain health. Scenar (Self Controlled Energo Neuro Adaptive Regulator) is a leading-edge Medical Technology which complements your existing health services.Essentially, Scenar prompt’s the body’s own adaptive processes and facilitates restoration of homeostasis through the release of neuropeptides emanating from the c-fibers' activation; thereby reducing stress and inflammation and effectively relieving symptoms of pain and dysfunction.Scenar is a hand held medical device that delivers non invasive, non toxic, computer modulated, and therapeutic electro stimulation onto and through the skin. It is a biofeedback device involving no drugs and no surgery that aids the body in the self healing process and is FDA-approved for pain relief, muscle re-education and stress reduction.Half the explanation goes over my head, but it is new and anything that can allow a glimpse of going into remission is OK by me!

I have been working very hard on focusing on my blessings and honestly, other than RSD, my cup runneth over. I have been tapping back into my creative side to pass time at home, which really helps keep my mind off the pain. I also have been enjoying a once a week play date with my sister in law, niece and nephew which really brightens my day. Jason and I are better than ever and our sweet Lola turns six next month so although I have never been one to celebrate my pets Birthdays, I think this year we might just make an exception! I will take any excuse to celebrate now days! I am sure everyone will agree with me that Lola will look super cute in a Birthday hat!

I will certainly keep everyone posted on my progress, I know many out there are suffering with pain and this just might be our answer!

Happy Healing!!

The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system. ~Robert C. Peale

A day in the life... when pain levels and emotions run high!

My days resemble a tug of war of emotions to be honest. My life has been interrupted as if I have been put in time out and I now have to reevaluated my life plan. I had a plan and I liked it, but now I am being forced to make and accept a new one...gods plan. I guess I was naive to think mine was the one that would happen instead of accepting I only have control over how I accept gods plan for me. I am fighting everyday against my body that is failing me. My head tells me one thing and my body screams another and it gets exhausting not to mention crazy frustrating! I am surrounded by such amazing support and love and that is what keeps me fighting but some days are lonely and I am left only with my thoughts. It's like being stuck in a traffic jam and not having a choice but to wait it out and I don't know about anyone else but to me that is one of the MOST frustrating things!! I just want to turn around go back where I was two years ago and make just one different choice...to call a different Doctor! I can't help but wonder what if?? For now I keep holding on to hope and I will also continue to be grateful for all the wonderful things I do have. I often feel selfish for having the "why me" feelings, but I have to remind myself I am still mourning the life and the abilities I once had and that's OK. More importantly I have to remind myself to keep it together, smile and remember that even though I am hurting I can still find ways to enjoy my life to the fullest, I just have to find and accept new boundaries of what I am able to do. It's peaks and valleys, right now I am in a valley and I WILL hang tight for another peak!



When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.

"Don't Quit,"  Author Unknown

If you can't say something positive just don't say anything at all...Well at least that is my goal.

I know I have been gone for awhile but I haven't had much to report and I sometimes feel it is better to just fall off the map for a bit than to complain about my situation. Things continue to be a challenge but I am trying very hard to take it one day at a time.

So, as for new attempts to feel more like the old me, I have recently gone on a low/no sugar diet. After researching how sugar can wreak havoc on our bodies, I decided it was the one thing I could do without a Doctors fee, especially since I am a total sugaraholic! My biggest pain issue is caused from inflammation so I am on a mission to find a way to rid my body/feet of this symptom in hopes of getting some normalcy back in my world. I am so exhausted from pain.

I did start taking an antidepressant to help with my emotions which has been a big help, I resisted the idea of taking it for so long and now I think to myself what the heck was I waiting for! I also started seeing a pain psychologist to help me find ways to cope with all the changes and challenges that I am now going through. I have such an amazing support system, so again I resisted the idea of going to talk with someone, but what a blessing that my mom finally got through to me. Anyone dealing with changes due to physical pain and loss of independence should never hesitate to do this. I can honestly say that before the antidepressants and therapist I was crying daily and wondering what the point of all this is. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy! I am trying to see this as an opportunity to grow and learn and I will say that I am learning an incredible amount of patience. I still go to bed every night hoping and that I will wake in the morning pain free so I can get back to everything I love to do. RSD has changed my life in ways that surprise me daily, I may have lost a lot temporarily but I have gained an awareness of my importance to others which I doubted in the past due to my own lack of self worth and I also learned what an amazing man I am married to! Who knew illness and stress could actually make a marriage stronger.

I would encourage anyone who loves someone dealing with loss of lifestyle or independence due to illness or disability and want to understand what it is they deal with to read “The Spoon Theory” by Christine Miserandino. It is a bit of a long read however it truly gives an understanding of how we live our lives day in and day out.

"The Spoon Theory" by Christine Miserandino

I have said it before and I am going to say it again thank you for all the love and support you continue to give me.

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.  ~Mother Teresa