YAY!!!! Such wonderful news Tessa! So happy for you!!

I hope you get to go home today and get there safely. Please keep up posted!!

Nanc

I'm so happy for you Tessa! I hope you are home now and still feeling great!

Thank you Renee! lol.. I had hoped I would go home yesterday I'm pretty sure I will today, if not they might have to catch me, because I've already got my running shoes on and those elevators are calling my name!

How are you feeling?

Tessa,

Awesome!! Thanks for sharing this exciting process...and prospect for future CRPS treatment...for following through on this treatment! I had a temporary(placed in thoracic spine) years ago when it was being experimented with and it worked like a charm for 2 months for my severe CRPS- in my arms. I had surgery that temporarily "cured" me so that "I could get back on the road". I had better time afterwards and didn't pursue it again til now. I'm also in the severe category of causalgia, now arms worse than legs. However, I also have DDD and spinal stenosis at several levels to compound the issue. At this point I have been offered a pump in addition to a stimulator, but they want me to try the stimulator first... I don't think my CRPS can handle it in my upper body, so I'm going slowwww. I'm thin and I have a plate from an ACDF cervical fusion. I vibrate already...

So I have choices and am following your journey with hope and prayers that you rock with this.. that you heal into a more pain free existence. I admire your strength and courage!!

May you be well!! We all want for your success!!

Hana

I secretly wonder if you have any idea at all how brave you are… and check this out, it was ALL worth it! Right on T. I am so incredibly happy for you, you have no idea. You go girl! Your husband and family should be so proud of you! I am sure it will feel great to get back home. There’s just no place like it.

Oh Vrae - that was like the warmest iHug ever!! lol.. I wish I had made it home but apparently the pharmacy didn't stock the meds that go into the epidural so now I wait until tomorrow.. bummer!

I wonder if you all know how much your kindness, encouragement and support has carried me through when the moments were tough?!! It has been through all your support that lifted me to a place where I could find that strength!! I couldn't have done it without you all..

OH Tessa, I am so happy for you. All I can think of is tinkerbell and how happy she was when she flew and with the golden glitter around her and the stream behind her. May your days be as golden Tessa but go with caution when they open the gate. Hugs and best wishes.

OMG.. that just brought a smile to my face!! How could you have possibly known that my next big run (if this works) is going to the the 'Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon" in Disneyland! I will have wings, glitter and all In fact I am already planning a little hike with my girl friends on Monday or Tuesday as long as this continues to work as well as it is at the moment! I had just sent them a message about it and they all emailed back asking if I was crazy or on drugs for even thinking about that when I'm still in the hospital... hahahaha Gotta dream BIG

Thank you for your kindness and for making me smile - I hope today brings you many smiles and blessings in-spite of all pain!

-Be as well as you can be,
Tessa

Hello All,

I thought I would give a quick update on how this is working out for me. It's been 22 days since the Continuous Epidural Catheter was placed and I've been absolutely amazed at the results!! I went from a constant pain level of 8-10 down to a level of 1-3 and sometimes even 0 yes... 0. This isn't like with meds where one symptom is gone and the others remain.. all symptoms have decreased significantly.

I've gotten my life back. My mind is much more clear now that I am sleeping better and not taking oral meds (except Baclofen). Ah.. my husband is also sleeping better for which he is most thankful. My energy levels are increasing and I've even managed 2 small hikes. I've been limited in really pushing things while this temporary epidural has been in place as they don't want me to dislodge it. That will change after tomorrow..

I just got word last night that my permanent implant (tunneled epidural catheter w/port) will be surgically implanted tomorrow morning at 8:30AM.. Yippee Yahoo.. I can see a shower in my not so distant future 22 days of sponge baths is toooooo long. I am nervous and excited. This truly is amazing, I am so grateful for my doctors!!

Wishing the best for everyone,
Tessa

Tessa, I am so happy for you! Best of luck tomorrow. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

:Hug: