Hi,

After an accident in 97 crushed nerves in my pelvis on the left side, along with crushing nerves in the thigh and at the fibular head I was diagnosed with RSD. In 99 I landed in a wheelchair. 4 years ago it crossed over to my right leg. Between constant battles with blood clots, circulation problems and infections, I went full bore phase III. This past August both legs were infected and it went body wide. While they had me in the hospital trying to save my life, I had a clot hit my lungs. My wife almost became a widow over this one.

After saving my backside, the doctors told me I couldn't support my legs any longer and they advised that both legs had to go. I wasn't willing to loose both at the same time, but I did have my left leg amputated only 9 weeks ago above the knee. To say these past weeks have been a new learning experience is an understatement.

Pain is my constant companion. Between large amounts of oral opiods plus my internal morphine pump that needs refilling every 7 weeks, I understand pain rather well, but even though this darn disease has changed my life in nearly every single way, I still refuse to go on pity parties, for those who do party alone. Instead I'm always seeking new ways to serve, for I know of no other way to make myself feel better.

Between volunteer work for SHIP, along with caring of wife and 17 year old cat, the house, mowing, cleaning and cooking keep me busy, and I don't want it any other way. When the pain wakes me like it did today at 4:20 am, I still look around for ways to battle the current hits, and I look even harder for ways I'll fill this day with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Then I go and play the piano.

I know well how RSD can really ruin life, but I also know that we have very blessed ways of making even more out of our lives if we really want too.

May this day find you feeling better, and may tomorrow be even better. Bob.