[debbiehub]

My husband, 14 yr old son and I are leaving for a week in Jamacia- I should be happy right? But as I look at the brochure I realize I wont be able to do anything as the RSD has took over my arms/hands as well as my feet- I saw they had pool tables in the pool but just the thought of using a cue stick kills my arms- Juggling, trapeze sailing jetskiing- gosh everything other then sunbathing requires body use.

I guess I should be happy that I am leaving this miserable NY weather but I am feeling sorry for myself= I know many of you wish you could just get away too...It would be nice to take a vacation from our bodys!!!

Debbie

[Sandel]

Hi Debbie..
I have a friend that swears by going south she says that as soon as she lands she is way more limber and nothing hurts near as bad, she found she could do things she never thought she could even snorkling and parasailing. They went to santa dominica and it is a long flight she said she could feel the deep ache come back about an hour before landing on the return home.

I think you will have a wonderful time in Jamaca mon.. bring lots of sunscreen.. hey can you even bring that on a plane it is a bottled liquid.. hmm
Take time to drink in the music the culture the sunshine and family and relax for a weeek I predict low pain days for ya Deb your gonna have a blast.

an thats an order.. lol

hugs,
sandra

[debbiehub]

Thanks so much Sandra- I needed to hear that!

Debbie

[HopeLivesHere]

Hi Deb,

I found the warm weather made me feel better.
That was enough for me
even though I couldn't do much more than I normally do, I felt better.

Due to the travel I spent more time in bed for a couple days, but I had an ocean view

I became an Observer - I watched the others snorkle.

I was able to get into the pool and jacuzzi
and
you certainly can enjoy the beautiful scenery

Have a wonderful vacation
Hope

[emilys gramma]

hopefully it is going to be a vacation from pain....well, at least a small break from it.....

the warmer weather, and sunshine alone will make it seem great...........

i know not being able to participate in things will be rough, but watching your hubby and son doing things can bring some enjoyment for you....seeing their smiles..........

i think that just getting away is going to be good for you.........new scenery, new weather, and NO SNOW is enough to change the way you feel.......we are freezing here in michigan too.

try to enjoy yourself, and don't get too much sun........just laze around relaxing.............and have a great time...............

[TerriM]

Hi Debbiehub,

I believe I spoke with you months back about that study in Ohio. I never went though. However I just read that you are heading on vacation too with concerns on what you won't be able to do. I am leaving this Fri. for Puerto Vallarta for 8 days and I thought the same thing. BUT I thought of how just the relaxing on the beach in the warm temps and the fruity drinks will be AWESOME too Hopefully when we get there , out of this 12 inches of snow and - 5 degree temps the atmosphere and warm weather will help me to just relax and reduce the pain if not just for 8 days. I hope you have a great time. I'm just ready to get a break from the cooooooold. Let us know how great it was! enjoy and soak up some sun... carefully though. too much of that directly can cause problems too...
Hugs . TerriM

Hi,

I'm happy just thinking about it....oooooh Jamaica! Never been, love to go!

First thing to do when you arrive is to instantly drop the bags and go find somewhere pretty and order a blue drink. Doesn't matter what's in it, but it must be blue and must have a teensy umbrella. There you go, instant relaxation.

Sandra's right, the music! How bad can lying by a pool listening to ska and reggae be (unless you hate reaggae, hey, some do).

But swimming, or just floating in the shallow end should be really good for you. And what about water therapy (like in the other thread) - find out who offers it nearby. Get yourself a gentle spa treatment, why not, leave out the bits that might hurt or worry you, but perhaps sauna, very gentle cream massage on the least worst body areas (face?)...

If the weather's good and sea is flat, go out in a boat and lie on deck, watching the coast...or maybe they have those glass-bottomed boats, nearly as good as snorkelling. Are you interested in wildlife? Do you bird watch? bring some binoculars, buy a local wildlife book - you might enjoy finding out what the different species are, of flowers and plants too. Local bookshop is best for that probably.

If the roads are OK and you can tolerate it, rent a driver (cheap there locally), take lots of cushions and go for short drives, maybe just 20 mins in a different direction out of town per day, you see a lot that way.

Could you hold a big piece of charcoal or chalk? - maybe try some drawing, never mind how it turns out. Or get some oil pastels and oil, they're like crayons and easy to use, blending with your fingers. You just need an ordinary sketch pad, thick paper.

Can you manage a camera? Look around, Jamaica looks wonderfully colourful , maybe photograph the local textiles - clothing, rugs, mats - or the plants and flowers around your vacation let...

See what local dances and shows are on, being a mere spectator can be a lot of fun off the tourist run, maybe theatre, go eat in places with music and local dancers, go find a romantic beach restaurant with candles and a steel drum band...

Oh, sure you've already done this, but research the place you're going and try to persuade the family to do some of the things with you, that you think you would enjoy and could manage. And bring lots of books too, time to read is a holiday in itself, for me. So, just some ideas..........I think you'll have ball.

I'm green with envy
all the best!

[debbiehub]

You all gave me wonderful suggestions! I will definately keep them in mind- Now just have to get over the flight...I hate flyings and 4 hrs is a bit long- but I am bringing plenty of xanax and things to do on the flight!

[LisaM]

Debbie, when are you going? Please take LOTS of pictures and share them when you get back. I've never been to Jamaica. Never been anywhere exciting like that at all. Always DREAMED of it though! So I would like to live vicariously thru you, if that's okay

Have a WONDERFUL time, hon, and I'm sooooo jealous!

[frogga]

Dear Debbie

I hope you have an awesome holiday - Jamaica sounds awesome!!!! I would go with blue drink idea of Artists --> and in fact, you could go for blue one day, then pink, orange etc and try and work your way through the rainbow in alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks!!

I went away with my mates for a week last summer and for the couple of weeks before the holiday I decided I didn't want to go because I'd be "a burden" and wouldn't be able to do anything. BUT I am SO glad I went - it was a bit sad being an observer to things I would have LOVED to join in... but I enjoyed it in a different way.. lying on the beach, visiting loads of places and just being with friends. I realised that in the end it doesn't matter how much I could do, what was more important was who I was with.

I hope you have a brill holiday!!!

Love

Frxxxxxx