[lostmary]

I've got less then 2 wks to the pain pump trial and time is going so slowly. I think that, for some reason, I'm getting, not scared, but irritable. I don't know why. I have high hopes for the pump, so I don't think it's that. I just watched Bones, and at the end the grandfather went to a retirement home. SOmehow that has got me so depressed. I think it bring back memories of last year this time being put in a nursing home with old ppl and ppl dying. It was the worse thing that has happened to me. I thought I had put all the memories of that place to rest, but now I'm here, feeling almost sick. just wanting time to pass. I fell in the mud/wet grass today, on my back on right side. I'm living on my pain meds and advil. I've actually got a headache of sorts. don't want to do anything, talk to anyone. So I figured I'd better get on here and share. I've learned that when things seem depressing, that getting on here with my friends pulls me out of if, and puts me back into my happy go luck. don't give a darn, self.

Hugs
Mary

[SandyRI]

Hi there Mary,

Hang in there friend. Have you ever tried reading the "Mindfulness Solution to Pain" by Dr. Jackie Gardner- Nix? I bought in on Amazon. WC allowed me 10 sessions with a therapist, who introduced me to mindfulness. It is really a form of meditation, where you learn to live in the present. I must confess that I am not really very good at it yet, it takes a lot of practice. But people who incorporate it in their lives swear that it is an extremely effective means of reducing pain. There are some websites on it, too - you can google it.

I hope you will keep us updated on your journey with the pain pump. I am now into my 5th month of my sick leave, and still waiting to hear from my attorney on what has been approved by the WC insurance company/courts/judge whatever for me on ketamine infusions. More than likely nothing has happened and my case is just sitting in someone's inbox with a number on it.

Anyway - on Dec 3rd I see Dr. Philip Getson for an evaluation for ketamine infusions. They have a 70-80% success rate. What's going to be very cool for me is Getson's office has thermography equipment and he can take special pictures of all my RSD areas - giving me the proof that I need to show all doctors I see in the future that I've got RSD in certain spots.

I'm also interested in obtaining another opinion for future treatments on my RSD from a great RSD doctor... Like all of us, I SOOO want to get better and get on with my life!! For me that means going back to work with my pain under control. I will settle for nothing less.

Hang in there, Thanksgiving is going to be here, and then it will be time for your pain pump! I will be thinking of you!

XOXOX Sandy

[dreambeliever128]

Good luck on your pain pump. You have been through way too much already.

Hi Sandy, I do think meditation is a good thing but with the thing about living in the present, I think you have to get the pain to a level that you even want to keep living.

I remember when I first started down my journey of pain in 87, at the time it wasn't the RSD issue, it was others, but it took me until around 2006 to get to where I could start funtioning some again.

Bill was gone 3 years today and boy have I had to step up to the plate. He did everything for me. Go to store and deal with the boys. Now the store isn't so bad for me to do but dealing with teenagers. OMG. My Dr. told me that they have hormonal issues just like women. Dustin has got through it and now Devin is going through it. They have the mood swings and hot flash things. Didn't know that.

I really think though that even with meditation, prayer or whatever people are doing for their pain, it's a long journey to get to where you can live in the present.

Mary, good luck on the pump. I think that would be the better choice then the SCS'

Ada

[lostmary]

Ada,

thanks hon, for the encouragement. I'm so excited and scared at the same time. I'm not looking to the pains of the trial, then hopefully, the perm one. The recovers is like the scs, 8 wks of no twisting, bending, lifting. That's another couple of months of recovery, but I really think and hope that this is going to be the answer for me. I am dreading the possiblility of getting a spinal headache. They are brutal, I'm such a baby. I don't want anymore pain,but I know I have to endure it, to get my life back, but that doesn't mean it doesn't scare me. But I will pass this, heal, move on with my life, drive my car, ride my horses, and have the best time on my cruise to Alaska this coming Sept. So, for now it full steam ahead.

Hugs
Mary