I just want to add 1 thing -

NEVER GIVE UP HOPE of getting better - it is possible - miracles do happen

Lisa

Hi,

Hope is the one thing that has kept me going. Hang in their, Roz

I just wanted to say...You guys are awesome!!!!

RSDKITTI
You have an amazing group of friends here.
Take care and i hope and pray you can find some peace soon.

I'm sorry you are going through such a rough time.
Sometimes when words don't help, a hug, or a friend just
sitting there with you helps.
You have my prayers that soon you'll be feeling "up" and full of hope
for the future - it is there for the asking........
There's something in a simple hug
That always warms the heart,
It welcomes us back home
And makes it easier to part.
A hug's a way to share the joy
And the sad times we go through,
Or just a way for friends to say,
"I like you 'cause you're you!"


It's funny how a little hug
Makes everyone feel good -
In every place and language,
It's always understood.
Hugs don't need new equipment,
Special batteries, or parts -
Just open up your arms
And open up your hearts!

Have A Fantastic Day!

A hug is the perfect way to show someone WE CARE when we cannot find the words to say

Hope (HopeLivesHere)

Thank you so much for the wonderful poem. Its so hard when there is no one here a mom a dad a brother a special one to share you life with or phtscial friends but I have my teen age son. Thats it but for all of YOU GUYS HERE and I cant say enough to any of you. It was really weird tonight every night but to night my son came into my room a kissed me on my forehea it doesnt hurt there but he HUGED me DIFFERENTLY and TIGHT and NOT LIKE HE WAS AFERID TO MAYBE HURT ME and it was great I didnt say anything BUT THE WAY HE SAID I LOVE YOU MOM WAS ALSO DIFFERENT SO maybe he just knew I needed it really bad and differently tonight so you are right your poem Im still not in a good place but MY SON REACHING OUT TO ME WITHOUT BEING SCARED TO HURT ME IT WAS GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!! IM still having so much pain body and heart. but everyone here is here and my son is and has always been here maybe he needed it so when I gave it back to him it helped me to..............THANK YOU..........................EVERYONE............A ND IM STILL HERE................Karen

Karen,

Even at the darkest hour, your son is reaching out to you! I am sure that he feels helpless and frustrated that he doesn't know how to help. Open communication will be key for your relationship to flourish, remember that he can't help without being asked and told how. Reach out to him, yes, he is the child, but he can also be the greatest source of strength. I remember when I first had RSD symptoms (but was not diagnosed), my son was very young - 6 years old and he did not understand why "Mommy" was crying a lot, dropping dishes and going crazy in pain. I sat him down and said "Honey, you know Mommy had an accident, and I just need you to be a big boy and help me" his response - "Mommy, I will take care of you". He did, when I would collapse in pain on the couch, he would cover me up with a blanket and curl next to me, he would say "Drink tea, it helps" that always made me laugh. I had no other man in my life, he was it, but through him, I saw the kind of man I wanted. Kind, generous, loving and most of all someone to simply accept!

Hang in there, smile, talk to your son and remember that love comes in all forms! I am also adding a story that has been a favorite of mine for a long time.

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived. Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge and all the others, including Love. One day, it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so they all got their boats ready and left. Love was the only one who stayed back. When Love was almost sinking, he decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love in a beautiful boat. Love said, ''Richness, can you take me with you?'' Richness answered, ''No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you.''
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by, ''Vanity, please help me.'' ''I can't help you Love. You are all wet and can probably damage my boat,'' answered Vanity.
Sadness was close by so Love asked for help. ''Sadness, let me go with you.'' ''Oh...Love, I am so sad that I prefer to go alone!''
Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not listen when Love called her!
Suddenly, there was a voice, ''Come Love, I will take you.'' It was an elder. Love became so happy that he even forgot to ask the elder her name. When they arrived in dry land, the elder went her way.
Love asked Knowledge, another elder, the name of the person who had helped him.
"It was Time,'' answered Knowledge.
''Time? But why did Time help me?'' asked Love.
''Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is,'' replied Knowledge.

septmstic, Thank you I'm going to keep this story if you dont mind I cried so much when I read what you wrote me.You are an angle that I need. They are thinking of putting a feeding tub in my stomach.I had a feeding line for 5 yrs after the drs cut my small intesent (stomach)when at 27 had to have a hysterecomy when my son was 2 and I was going through my 1st devorce the dr wanted me to do it at 18 but I kept saying no if I did after trying 3 yrs and giving up I was pergent. After I had surgery and I got sicker the dr said you problay have an UTInvection but I knew there was something very wrong because of my training he the suergion said go home and go to bed later I asked a guy I was dating to take me to the hosptial which is right up street I got to the hosptial about 5 hours after seeing the dr and after having no fever when I saw that dr and by the time I had 106 and alot of lab work and test in th ER that dr asked how did I get here I told him he said if I listen and went to bed I would of died and 2 days later with no help with meds and then egg shape then saw in me they throught I never had sugery in two days it was a size of a canopalop they told my mom to get my son because I probley wasnt coming off the table alive I heard that and my son was 2 yrs old and I wasnt going to let his father raise him I was in ICU for 10 days and they had to take some of small stomach so I was on feedind tubs in my chest in the big vain but I had to stop because on invections and about 12 tubs and almost dieing 3 different times and in 1998 on my birthday I was home the newt day I stoped breathing and ended on a vent for a few days the point to this is the dr said I cant do the tub in my stomach but I cant do the tub in my vain that stops right inch uppove your heart she said they are better you can control the 14 hour drip because my weight is so low and my UI tract Im losing control I cant feel my bldder anymore for the last 5 months I finally asked her between the feeding problem and RSDwhats doing to get me she put her head down and said with a tier in her eyes I dont know I always said that I didnt want to know when because they even UCLA was tring to tell me how long because without the feeding tub they said I wouldnt be able to last I have because of me and my son and family meeting special people and I havent had tubs for about 7 yrs they had to try about 2 1/2 yrs but the RSD is to bad so that didnt work and Ive been trying so hard but im lsing I finally asked her how long does she think she put her head down my dr and said Im sorry I dont know she knows that I know because I would never asked and she just tried to hold it together the dr and this time I asked my mom to go and she did and I told her I wanted her to stay because I needed to talk to her about my sons birthday so she did can to heard what my dr said and she had tears in my moms eyes so Im not giving up Im still fighting Im just really ready Im just so tired of fighting but I have to and I do want to sometimes keep fighting but I am Im just so tired my body is so tired and for the first time in years I know my mom heared me say Im tired and I need to sleep and in a moms voice she understand and I have every right to need to just sleep but not give up I said Im just in so much pain and 100lbs and my body is tired I see my pain specialst Thuresday so I will let very one of you know. I am going to see my surgon to get a date for the removal of tissue inside my stomach from a pump it has gotten so bad plus talk about the stomach feeding tub. Thank you so much for your caring loving letter I hope we can keep in touch close. Gentle Hugs karen I hope this made sence Im very weck and tired. Take Care of yourself. I am here if you need anything also I will always do me best..................

Karen -

Your story is heartwrenching and I wish I could offer more than a shoulder, but I am no angel. I am simply a woman who cares for others, always have. I lose parts of my pain through concentrating on others. Though the tiredness make take your fight, the fear take your breathe, the pain seize your soul, there will always be the sun to come touch your cheek when the darkness seems the worst. You are not alone.

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