Hi everyone! This morning I got on here to.... well basically vent, and ask everyone about any tactics they use to accept RSD, and also having to use any devices like walkers and wheelchairs etc. I am really having a hard time accepting using these things. My Birthday is in two days and that is making me sad knowing that I am relatively young (turning 37), and so dependent on a wheelchair, not to mention my sweetheart of 20 years who is amazingly wonderful and supportive. Also 4 amazingly compassionate children that carry the load for our home (which actually makes me feel very guilty because I do have such an amazing support group in my home and I don't always "count those blessings." I am still very interested in how any of you cope with acceptance of this illness and being dependent on others and a wheelchair or other device. I am sure glad I got on here today (it's been too long) and saw the post about celebrating our accomplishments! So here goes!
1.) I still have kept my sense of humor, and have tried to use it much more lately!
2.) We got rid of our home that we all loved and just moved into a larger, much more open floor plan home that I can get into every room with my wheelchair (except our Florida room that has a step) just for me. Again thanks to my sweet husband. It also has a pool so my hubby (who happens to be a therapist that specializes in recreational and aquatic therapies so I don't have to travel 45 mins, he can do therapy with me here! So that is exciting and makes me feel hopeful. (The pool currently looks like a swamp tehe. We are waiting on the pool people to come and get it usable lol! With that said I'm excited to start aquatic therapy at home. HUGE blessing.
3,) I love to cook. For me it is a way of expressing love to my family. Last year I think I cooked two partial meals (in an entire year) Since moving into this house a month ago I have cooked 10 meals! That is including having a required hysterectomy with an extended hospital stay, and then falling out of my wheelchair onto my stomach onto tile floor 5 days after I got home which landed me back in the hospital for a short stay. BUT I am so happy to be able to cook nice meals for my family!
4.) I have always loved all things homemaking including laundry,(strange I know) but with the help of my children carrying in their hampers and carrying out their clean clothes and putting them away. I am able to get into my large laundry room in my wheelchair and do laundry! Again a huge accomplishment for me!
5.) My church starts at 9:00am and ends at noon. Because I have full body RSD it is hard even with taking my meds at 5am to move at all especially in the mornings. I have missed Church and my church family so much. This past Sunday I was able to go for the first time in 7 months, and I felt up to staying all 3 hours! When I got home my hubby and kiddos made me my favorite meal, and I literally slept the entire day which never happens because pain keeps me an insomniac. That day was just a pure blessing straight from Heavenly Father!
6,) Two days after church I was able to go to a restaurant for brunch celebrating my mom who is also one of my dearest friends birthday. I had a seizure in the restaurant (pseudo seizures caused by RSD), but after getting it together and with the help of loved ones I was able to go to the mall for the first time in a year and school shop for clothes for my children! HUGE accomplishment for me!

FUNNY thing- as I am writing this I'm understanding why I have been throwing pity parties and unable to do much of anything these last few days, I AM EXHAUSTED from all of my accomplishments!! Thanks for the post that has prompted me to think about my accomplishments! It's made me put things in perspective and feel really grateful.