Getting to know eachother! :)
 

I want to start a thread about getting to know eachother. A place for us to post who we are: our hobbies, what we like or dislike, our favorites, age, where we live, our families, anything you want. So we can define ourselves without our disease. CRPS isn't only who we are. I want this to be a happy thing. To show us that we are more than this "beast". So we know that we have a life to appreciate.

My name is Angelina, I am 29 and I am a single mom to a 5 year old beautiful girl. Her birthday is the 20th so we are celebrating it this sat. She is very excited! I live in Post Falls, ID in the USA. I love where I live, except when it snows. I live in the mountains and sometimes get stuck at home. But even then it is so beautiful! I love to crochet. I have made 7 blankets in 5 months for Christmas presents this year. It is a good 'distraction' and I really love doing it. Plus it is such a joy to give a handmade gift to another. I like going to the movies. I am mostly into thrillers, dramas, and mysteries. I LOVE to read. I like just about anything but I tend to read more sci-fi. I always have a book on me.
I am thinking of going back to school to further my education. I have an associates degree in Medical Administration so I am thinking of getting a Bachelor or getting another associates in Accounting or medical billing. I am trying to think of a job I can do from home.
I have a big family, seven of us kids. Most of us are pretty close. They don't understand my situation but my dad is my hero. He has helped me out so much! And I love that my daughter has him in her life as a male figure since her father isn't in the picture.

Anyway, I guess if you want to know more you can ask. I would love to tell you and get to know you better too. We are all connected and so I thought we should know eachother a little better.

Always remember that you are strong! :grouphug:
Angelina

Unfortunately, many of us have legal matters directly related to our health, and so it's not advised to divulge lots of easily identifiable personal info online. You'll still likely get lots of responses, I just thought I'd mention it. ;)

There is a thread at the top of the forum called Our Stories & Introductions. It is several pages long, lots of information.

You can also learn about people by just reading their posts on the different threads.

Hope this helps.
Abbie

I was just trying to make a place where we could talk about happy things in our lives. I guess I was wrong. It wasn't meant to get people in trouble or try to find out about people. It just seems like all we have to do in our lives when you have this disease is talk about how crappy it is, so I wanted to talk about the good things. To take joy in our lives, to express ourselves in anyway you wanted to other than the fact that I have CRPS and my life is all about pain. I am so sorry, it won't happen again. Please forgive me.
Angelina

I love a good movie, especially if I've seen it before and really liked it. Mostly I play video games and tend my garden to help keep my mind occupied. Before crps spread significantly I was a big fan of sports, alcohol, travelling and camping. I enjoy looking after my cats and dogs and being in southern arizona we get the best sunsets, anywhere.

Hi . i will stick with painman2009 though I do know some people who post here and am lucky enough to meet with them. I still do not know who frequents this site. I have had RSD almost 4 years. it started in rght limb now its groin , belly ,gluts.both legs feet, rght arm shoulder prt of rght arm, and head, I also suffer migrains,have carpal tunnel, in both arms, and multiple heriations.
I love physical labor, especially if it is landscape oriented, I like crafts, and I crochet as well, most of this has been severely inhibited by RSD , I love science, it intrigues me scifi is only science we haven't discovered yet.I was a writer, of poetry, music, (no longer) I loved the beach, though now can no longer go, RSD is a thief and it is hard to speak of the things I love to do as doing them is painful now. but like I tell every-one else, I woke this morning and im alive so thank god for that but otherwise still trying to find my place in the world the way i am now

I don't think you need to apologize. I figure the intros are kind of specific to our I'll history and I understood you were looking for different info. I talk about more than I'm sure my attorney would be happy with, but I try to be careful about putting lots of identifiable personal info within a post or thread.

There is also the option of sending a friend request to someone you think you might have something in common with, and then perhaps developing an email or phone friendship.

RSD is isolating and life changing. We all understand that.

HI! I hope you all are having as great day! I had changed my username from Emily Anderson to CRPSSongbird (i love singing). As I might have to go through a legal battle soon, and need a more anonymous name hehe. Then I realized you all might not know I'm the same person lol!!! Anyway. I'm still in pain a lot. But am learning to live with it better! Going down to part time at work has help with the pain for the most part I can handle it now. I still have flair-ups that can be horrible but not as often. I'm still going to physical therapy, and am trying Hypno-therapy as well. It doesn't stop the pain but sure help[s me to relax! Which you all know can be 1/2 the battle! I'm only on tramadol for pain, nothing else because of all the horrible reactions ive had with other stuff. I would like to have something a tiny bit stronger but if i can keep ahead of the pain I do ok. Well I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!

I don't think you need to apologize! When I get some time I'll share some stuff about myself.

:)

A good movie can really brighten your mood right? I can watch a movie I like over and over, some people think I am weird..lol I like video games too, well i have only really played one, Final Fantasy. I love that game. I try to garden, but I am not really good at it and now that I am in pain it is hard to do. But my daughter and I still try. :) Sunsets are so beautiful! They are so peacefull to watch. I have never seen one in Arizona, but I do like the ones in Idaho.
I hope you are having an amazing day! Keep focusing on what makes you happy!
Angelina

That is great that you have been able to meet with some people who can understand you. I am sorry for all your suffering, but I hope you can find some peace doing some of the things you enjoy doing and can still do. I also find sci-fi very intriging (sp?). I wish I was a writer. I have tried in the past but haven't made anything of it. I love the beach! My family often visits the Oregon Coast and it is my favorite place to be. I love everything about it! I know it can be painful to talk about the things you can no longer do. I am new to this disease and am still learning how to "let" things go. I just graduated college for a degree that I probably won't be able to work in. My dream is no longer attainable know. I now have to change my entire outlook in life, my goals, my loves, my favorites, how to raise my young child, if I can even have more children like I want, marriage, everything I thought I was going to become is no longer able to be. But I have decided that this is a chance for a good change instead of a bad one. I will look at this as a way to rediscover myself and who I want to be. I get to dream up a new dream, find new favorites, new hobbies, new friends, it will be hard and it will be sad at times but if I stay positive I will make it through and I will find people who can relate and help me.
I hope this finds you in happy thoughts. :) may your dreams come true!!
Angelina:hug:

I am so happy for you that you have found somewhat of a control. I am sorry you are still in pain, but you are in company. It is great that you are learning to live with it better! That is the goal.. to keep living as normal as a life as we can right? I haven't tried Hyno-therapy, but I am thankful for my PT. It really does make a difference. Relaxing can be hard to do. I drink alot of Chamomile tea for that. lol I am pretty sure my weekend will be great for I will be celebrating my daughter's birthday! It will also be sad because she is having it at a skating rink so I will not be able to participate. I am very greatful for my family though, my siblings and my dad will be there to participate for me. So that is good.
Remember that the more steps you take the closer your destination gets! So keep moving forward, you will get to where you want to be. Have an amazing weekend too!
Angelina:)

There's no reason to apologize...

I think I took your post out of context but also wanted to let you know there is a place that won't get shuffled way back in the forum where we can introduce ourselves and share our stories.

I believe I stand corrected now that you are looking for more of a casual way to get to know each other as in what books we've read, what movie's we've seen..... what fun stuff we've done.

Then again I may still be wrong... written word can be so hard to comprehend as I can't see facial expression and can't hear inflection in anyone's voice.

Forgive me for hurt feelings I have caused. I sincerely apologize.
Abbie

My name is Shelly. I'm 39 years old. Prior to my RSD and multiple surgeries I was a 911 dispatcher.

I love animals. I am owned by 5 cats (ranging in age from 1 1/2 years old-13 years old), a dog, an aquatic turtle (red eared slider) who I have had for 16 years and a Chinchilla. Friends say I have a zoo...which is why my signature says "zookeeper". My animals are my world and sometimes I don't know what I would do without them. They keep me going when sometimes I rather do nothing. They make me laugh and smile and they are always willing to
hang out and snuggle when the pain is too bad.

I love TV. It is pretty much always on if only for background noise or if I am actually watching it.

I also enjoy reading. Dean Koontz is my favorite author. I also read a lot of animal books about training, behavior and just animal stories.

I love chinchillas! I used to have some. They were my world. I am looking forward to adopting more soon. They are the cutest and most loving animal. And boy do they have personality! lol My daughter would love a cat, but we only have a yorkie terrier right now. I think she sometimes thinks he is her dolly. lol but he loves her! Animals can be so comforting and they always seem to know when you are hurting or down. :) I also love to read. I am reading a series by Pitticus Lore. It is really good. What kind of shows do you like to watch?
Always follow your heart, it will lead you to your right path. It may not be the easiest path but it will be the right one.:hug:
Angelina

I love to read. Books are my savior. I also like music. I'm an okay singer, but since I had the blood clots I don't seem to have the air to breathe through anymore. I am 38. I used to be a 5K, 10K, triathlete so being incapacitated has been tough on me. I can walk some now, but my RSD spread fast and everywhere. I'm even seeing an opthomologst for my eye problems. My kids keep me out of th isolation that tends to come with rsd. I have a sr in high school, a 13 yr old, 12 yr old and a 10 yr old. One boy in the bunch. Lol, he's the 12. They have rolled with all the changes and help. I miss the old days. I like funny movies, also. I play on the computer, but not a big game person. I play temple run and word games lol. I study a lot. I'll have my M.Ed May 11th. If I can use it remains to be seen. Anyway, that's a bit about me

TK
:)

Hi Andelina, I know from the replies to your thread that some people seem to be in legal things with their RSD so can't really post, but as I'm not I love the idea of talking about things other than RSD.

My name is Mandars (Amanda, but nobody calls me that), my late husband shortened my name to that & it's stuck :) I'm 50 this year, although I've had RSD for nearly 1/2 my life I have tried to ignore it & get on with life where possible. I'm a widow now & have been since 94, like you I have a daughter but she's grown up now. Suzi lives with me still & is engaged to a lovely lad, they plan to live with me even when they're married.

I used to run an animal rescue centre for cats, rabbits, guinea pigs & birds. I even had a little owl for several months. Although I stuck to taking only those I've told you about I did take in an iguana from some one who was posted abroad. I was living in a military area at the time in the south of England so had a high turn over of pets needing homes as people were posted else where. I had to give the centre up when I moved, but I still miss it. I have pets again now, an assistance dog that I trained myself, a guinea pig, 2 zebra finches & a quail. All the birds are rescued, some habits die hard:wink:

I do a lot of crafts also, I crochet, knit, cross stitch & sew. I have a grip thing to help me when I'm bad, the rest of the time I tuck the knitting needle down my brace & knit away! It's probably a sight that would give the avid knitter heart failure, but it's fun:)

I also love dolls housing, I use my ot therapy to make mini things for the houses we have. I use clay & femo to make foods & accessories, I sew fancy dresses for the dolls & make all sorts of soft furnishings for the houses. Whilst I was running the rescue centre for pleasure I was also working from home. I designed & made ball gowns for the military wives, also some wedding dresses.

Nice to chat to you :hug:

Books are so wonderful arn't they? They can take you to another world. I have so many books. I finally got an e-reader and I love it! I like to think that I am a good singer but I don't know if others would agree.. lol Even though you can't do those 5k and 10ks isn't it great to say that you did? I would love to have had that experience, not too many people can say that. I think that is so cool. I am sorry that your RSD has spread fast, but it is great that you can still walk, it is good that you still do. It is so important for us to keep moving. I wish you all the good luck I can give to help you in your RSD issues. Kids are also great in helping you to keep you upbeat and outgoing. My daughter keeps me moving, between dance and soccer and all her activities and not to mention taking her to the park and playing with her. She is my world and she keeps motivating me to keep pushing forward and to keep my head up. To stay positive and not loose hope. Speaking about word games I am addicted to Words with Friends :) Going to school is great! Good job!!! Even if you can't use it don't let that let you down. It is still an amazing achievement!! So way to go!!
"Once you choose hope anything is possible!!"
Angelina:hug:

I guess they can't post. I was not trying to get anyone in trouble. I just wanted a place to talk about things that make us happy. A place to encourage eachother in our times of need. It is amazing to me that you used to run a resuce center. I love animals. When I was younger my family used to have horses, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, cats, dogs, birds, fish and my brother had a huge snake. I also had chinchillas. They were my babies along with my horses.
It is good to try to keep living life as best as we can. To keep moving forward and keep our head up. Crochet has really helped me get through this. I made blankets for everyone for christmas this last year. I made 7 in 5 months. I really enjoy doing it. I am not really good at sewing but would like to learn and would like to learn to knit. That is great that you made ball gowns and wedding dresses!! What an achievement! That must have been alot of hard work!
"You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it. Everything happens for a reason, somethings fall apart so they can fall back together, but in the end what is meant to be will be."
It was also nice chatting with you. :)
Angelina

I agree! I also have been reading on my iPad because I can see it easier. My eye issue is making it ard to differentiate between letters and numbers at the moment. I told my cousin, who is running a marathon today, that someday even if I have to walk the whole thing and stop to rest, I will do another 10K. Lol I do love having the kids because it makes me focus less on my disease and more on them. Im so glad to have kids that recognize my limitations and know that sometimes we can't do everything. I try not to lose hope. I'm going through a rough period right now. I was approved for a scs in mid Jan (I may have said this-rsd brain lol) and the dr and hospital are in a huge fight so I've been in limbo since mid December when we started it in motion. Anyway, I tend to do retail therapy when I'm depressed so I've tried to stay off shopping sights haha. I also play words. I can't remember my ame, but I'm logged through Facebook. Oh yeah Facebook. I spend a lot of time there, here, and I funny. Oh my! Now it can be off color, but it never fails to make me smile.

Mandars
 

I love that!! That's so cute! Animal rescue is so selfless. I think that's sweet. Our dog and cat are rescue animals. Now they are the most spoiled animals in Texas haha. They're great, and we make up for the love they didn't get in the beginning. My 10 year old daughter crochets. Each of my kids had to choose a non electronic hobby to try that wasn't sports related. One chose painting, one chose clay/pottery, and the youngest chose crochet. I also chose painting. Sometimes it hurts, but I do it on my good days.

TK:)

I watch all kinds of shows from general hospital and days of our lives to DIY and house hunters on HGTV. I generally record at least 6 shows or more on my dvr a day. I never really watched Bones before this year, so I'm currently catching up on the seasons from 2006 until current. South land season just started on TNT and I am excited about that.

Last night I watched Dr.Pol, Pit bulls and parolees and Too cute kittens :-)

I also keep up on the news and watch or listen to at least a couple hours a day.

I used to cross stitch before all of the surgeries and RSD. My friend gave me one of those frames that holds the fabric. I keep say I am going to try it and see if I can do it now.

I used to want a doll house. I actually got a kit many years ago and it never got put together. I've always loved looking at them. I know I couldn't have one now though. With my 5 cats they would destroy it and be stealing, playing and running around with the miniature things :p

I love that idea of a non electronic non sports hobby. I'll have to tell my sister about that for my nephew.

Most of my zoo is rescues with the exception of my 2 exotics(the chinchilla and turtle)

hi! i am joan from tn,im am so proud of you for being able take care of a family and further your career while going thru this horrible disease, i am a big baby with my pain, i seem to always whine about it, it takes a strong person to keep going on,i have a husband been married 33 yrs and to grown sons that dont want to leave home, it is so difficult for me they dont understand how i feel,i hope you keep staying strong and do all you can in life

I am glad for you that your kids understand that you have limitations. Sometimes it can be hard to keep up hope and faith but there is always room for hope! "When all seems lost and it seems like nothing is left, there is always hope." I am not sure if I quoted that correctly, but it is from one of my favorite books. I also spend lots of time on facebook, and the internet period since this disease. You can go anywhere from your bed! lol That is another reason why I read..lol I wish you luck with your scs. Keep us posted.
Angelina

fbodgrl
 

[QUOTE=fbodgrl;958017]I watch all kinds of shows from general hospital and days of our lives to DIY and house hunters on HGTV. I generally record at least 6 shows or more on my dvr a day. I never really watched Bones before this year, so I'm currently catching up on the seasons from 2006 until current. South land season just started on TNT and I am excited about that.

Last night I watched Dr.Pol, Pit bulls and parolees and Too cute kittens :-)

I also keep up on the news and watch or listen to at least a couple hours a day.



fbodgrl,
I just love Bones. I used to watch it all the time, but I missed a season so I don't know what is going on now. I will have to catch up. I also enjoy watching HGTV House Hunters is one of my favorites. And I have been good about watching the news lately. I try to watch it every morning, but I don't do a very good job about watching it at night. I also watch Vampire Diaries. It is a show my sister and I watch together. I really like watching cooking shows. And then of course it seems I am always watching educational cartoons! lol because of my daughter. Other than that I am always watching movies.
Angelina
Angelina

Hello Joan. It is nice to meet you. How are you? Thank you very much for saying that. It is very nice to hear. It helps to hear that from others. It is very hard. Sometimes I think I can't do it, but then I believe in hope and faith and think positive, and then I know I can do it. I might have to take a "time out" and it doesn't matter how long it takes, but I will keep moving forward. I will survive this and I will be strong! It is good to express your feelings about your pain. I am sorry that they don't understand how you feel, alot of people don't understand us. But you can find people who do and it is important. There are lots of caring people on here that give great advice! It is important to find support groups. There are some on Facebook. I made a page, it is called Support for CRPS-RSD and there are others too. Try to see if there are some in your area too. If not online ones are still good. I know that you are strong too! You can do this! :) You can do anything you set your mind to, just believe in yourself. I know it is easier said than done, but you can do it.
"Don't loose Hope. When the sun goes down, the stars come out!" -unkown-
Angelina:hug:

TNT has bones on for 4 hours a few times a week. Right now they are in the 2008 season. That is how I have been watching all the old ones that I never saw. I just DVR them all.

That is good to know. I will have to DVR them!