I appreciate this site, and all the people that share their stories and experience. We can all learn from each other. My question is: Have any of you been to a WC hearing and would you share that experience with me?

My atty. called me today and told me that the WC court date is 4/08/09, at 9:00 AM, in OKC. This is to settle the dispute of the TTD ordered by my treating PM doctor, 2 months ago. On my last follow up visit to my PM doc, I shared that the TTD script he wrote was not recognized by the WC ins. co. or their atty. PM doc said that he had never had this happen before, and was not pleased. He told me that he would write in this report that I was TTD as of 01/05/09, TTD at the present time, and TTD in the future.

I am having a hard day. Sympathetically mediated pain syndrome/chronic pain(CRPS I), the monster that has changed my life forever, is difficult to control. My emotions are just a mess. I cry when I talk about it, or cry at anything, no matter how small, that may bother me. It is embarrassing. The thought of going to court scares me. How will the syndrome effect my emotions when I take the stand. Can I hold it together???

I have seen a psychologist every 2 weeks because of this syndrome, since 4/08. I take 20 pills per day;also,Tens Unit pain creams and pain patches, heat pad. I don't sleep much. I have water PT twice per week.I have an atty. that tells me to "hang in there",while WC ignores me. I have a PM doc that tells me straight out that I will never be my active self again.

I think how much work I placed in my dream of finishing my college degree.I had dropped out in 1979. I did it, took me 18yrs. to put that goal back into action. I then went directly to grad school, in Studio of Fine Arts and Psychology/Behavioral Science. I achieved the dual Masters degree in 2001; I was 42 yrs old.

Currently, I am married (27 years), with a son(21 years old). It was hard on all of us; the sacrifices each of us made for this dream. It was for all of us.

Amazing how it doesn't seem so long ago. I am now 50 yrs. old now, and cry from the burning pain and all the symptoms of the syndrome, the loss of my active self. I cry from not being able to be touched without first bracing myself. On 3/24/07, my life and my body was not mine to control,anymore.

I had no idea what hell I was about to endure as I entered the WC arena.

I am angry. I am tired. The WC system is cruel and unusual punishment for anyone that has dared to challenge the insurance company.

"I am a warrior; I will be triumphant." That is my meditation chant.

I must not forget this part of myself.

Thank you for being here for me.

hugs,
Dew