Thank you, too, for your replies. It truly is comforting and encouraging to have everyone's input, and to not feel so alone - floating in an ocean of uncertainty while the sharks of pain and sleepless nights circle around.

Eh . . . not my best word picture, but I'm kinda tired!

Pam - I know you're right. As much as I want to be free of the pain meds, it will likely never happen. Instead of being discouraged by that, I will instead choose to be encouraged by the fact that I am now taking WAY less of them. I will choose to be thankful for pain relief - no matter how it might be achieved. Thank you for the reality check - I really needed it!

Rae - I really found it interesting that you had had a similar experience of increased pain after turning your stim up at night. I hadn't even thought of that as a possibility, but it makes complete sense how that could possibly cause a problem.

I did meet with a rep today. My rep is about an hour away, but the person who trained her works closer to my neck of the woods, and I met with her. She is AMAZING. I feel like she did a great job on my programming, and at a much lower power setting, which means maybe I won't have to charge every single day! But, the real test will be tonight when I go to bed. I DREAD going to bed every night, as I know that it will be fitful, restless, and that I'll wake up in pain. I'm so thankful to be staying in bed longer than I was able to do before my SCS, but I truly hope to one day just be able to go to bed like a normal person, snuggle down in my pillow and quilts, and just dream the night away - awakening with a smile on my face instead of a groan on my lips.

We are really excited about the trip on Saturday, and seeing our daughter! She is such a teeny tiny little thing, and she is so cute with her little baby belly! My hubbie and I usually trade out driving - I'll drive up and he'll drive back - but he said that this trip I'm not allowed to do any of the driving - that my job is to sit back and relax. He is so sweet! We wouldn't be having to make it a one-day trip, except we have about 100 baby chicks right now, and those little buggers eat a LOT! We've got to get back home to take care of them, as well as the rest of the chickens. So we will definitely be taking some "stretching" breaks on the way up there and back, and I'll make sure to pack my pain meds - and take them as needed.

Wishing everyone a blessed - and pain free - tomorrow!

=Becky