Oh my...I am just bursting with excitement right now. I saw the doctor this morning and she has released me back to fully duty work with no restrictions...just requiring accomodations for my disability which are very minor things that won't cost work anything. So I am just extremely excited at the moment. I've sent copies of the release and left messages with the various people involved at work but haven't heard back yet to find out if they will actually be letting me return but until I hear anything negative I am not going to let myself think that way. I have worked so very hard for this and just cannot wait to get back in there.

The rest of the visit went very well too. The doctor and her nurse both told me that I looked a million times better today at my appointment. Stronger, walking faster, just generally looked healthier...it made me feel good because I know that I feel all those things but when you see someone that you haven't seen for a month they can really see the big difference.

The doctor also wrote a script for the TDCS equiptment. She's totally on board with the treatment and we are both excited about it...hoping that it will help me with the pain and sensitivity especially as those are two things that so far we haven't had much success getting under control...more that I have learned to cope with these things enough to allow me to get the function back. Fingers crossed that it all works out well and that the tDCS will just be yet another weapon for me to help fight this RSD monster.

I'll keep you all posted on the returning to work thing...I just really hope that they allow me to come back now that I am released to full duty...they wouldn't let me when I was released for half shifts a month ago. Just that much closer to being able to finally put some of this stuff behind me and continue to move forward with my life.

catra,

Being released for work is wonderful news. Hearing your going to try
TDCS is also great. Hoping for the greatest of success with TDCS.

Joydee

Congratulations catra121! Have you tried TDCS yet?

How exciting!!!!!!! You deserve so much credit for not giving up, being totally focused on getting better, and routinely maintaining a positive attitude.

WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not yet but I will as soon as I get the equipment. I'll be placing an order today or tomorrow for the stimulator and the other parts. I'm excited about the possibility for success above and beyond just getting the function back (though I feel incredibly blessed just for that miracle)...it would be nice if I didn't have such high pain levels all the time. I cannot remember what it feels like to have pain less than a 5/10...and it being even that low is incredibly rare these days. I hope this works...but if it doesn't then I will be on to the next thing to try.

I'm also fairly sure that once I am back working that I will see even more continued improvement in function and hopefully some weight loss too. The future really does seem bright for the first time in a long time. I feel like I have spent so much time fighting to get here and now it just feels like the world is full of marvelous possibilities.

Of course...I still have not heard back from anyone at work yet about when I can start back again...but I hope it will be today some time. I'm sure they have busily been trying to deal with this "news" and are trying to sort out what to do with me now. But I don't care...they could stick me in the crummiest store with the worst employees and I would still be in heaven just to be back. I thrive in adversity anyway...lol!

Yay!! So exciting, Im very happy to hear thatM best wishes to you moving forward!!

catra,
Just got back from a little trip. I am so happy for you. You give us all hope just by being positive. Congratulations.

It is great to read a "positive" reply here! Nice change of pace from some of the trials and tribulations that we are all going through with CRPS.

Whatever you can do to return to some sort of "normalcy" is very important!

Work gives you a sense of purpose.

And that sense of purpose is very important to our mental health. It is a component I have lost since having to go on disability.

Good for you!!! Couldn't be happier for you. It may take a bit of time for you and your co-workers to adjust; stay positive and be open with them and it will work out!

Sad to say...what should have been a crowning moment and joyous occassion for me has now turned quite ugly quite fast. I was told I should not report to work and that I would be contacted by someone at corporate which happened this afternoon. Sadly...instead of doing the right thing and allowing me to return to work they have decided to illegally discrimminate against me for my disability and retaliate against me for filing a work comp claim. It was said in no uncertain terms that they would not start termination proceedings against me until my work comp claim is closed but that upon close of my claim it will result in my separation from employment (I think this terminology was used because they hope that I will include resignation as part of the work comp settlement...which I will not). Disappointing...and I very emotional and upset right now...but I will fight this and file a charge against them with the EEOC and get myself a good employment attorney. I really really wish they had just done the right thing so that it did not need to come to this but I cannot control the actions of others. They will do what they will do and I will do what I have to so that I protect my rights. So sad...but life will go on.

Good news is that I should be able to start the tDCS treatments immediately since I will not have to adjust to my work schedule first. Small ray of sunshine in this otherwise dark situation...but I'll take it and continue to focus on improving my health while I go through all the legal battles.

This is a heartbreaking event but you have already come out on top with the progress that you have made through sheer grit and non-stop hard work!
The best is yet to come for you!!!!!!!!