Anna, welcome to Neurotalk! It is so nice to hear that you are able to do so much with your life despite having to go through it while living with CRPS. I am happy for you and it is always nice to hear a success story from both new and old members. Please keep us all informed as to your successes in life. Don't let anything stand in your way.

Earlier this month I jogged a full mile outdoors PAIN FREE:) :) Granted my top speed wasn't exactly setting the world on fire, but that was the point... and MAN I felt completely and totally free. The funny thing is that I used to HATE running with a passion and hadn't run a full mile since the late 90's...but after RSD in my right leg three years ago it's such an absolute blessing to be able move around at all.

We seem to take for granted the things that we have always found so easy to do, until the day we can no longer do them. I am so glad for you Visioniosiv. Being able to jog for a whole mile is amazing, no matter what the pace is.:yahoo:

That is great! Sometimes I have to remind myself that every step counts. Isn't it funny how we don't miss something until we can't do it. Congrats on your success!

Visioniv, that's great! :) A mile is a good long way, especially running. That must've felt fantastic. It's amazing how losing abilities changes our perspective. I used to get bored when I went on walks in my neighborhood (same streets, same houses) but not anymore. Every minute is a blessing, I'm so glad you found something new you can do!

music makes my spirit sing
 

Spring is inching its way closer every day. Today we have the whole house open, letting in that fresh air. When I was opening the back door to a room we do not use in the winter my keyboard spoke to my heart and I sat down WITH my foot ON the floor :) and played a few songs, some a little rusty and some of the ones that I know by heart just flowed and made me smile inside and out.
It is really good for my brain to have something positive to focus on and good for that whole left hand right hand thing too, yup sometimes I pause and think which hand is that? Hey maybe that is a positive thing that my mind is working it out? It does make me happy music of any kind, I was folding the laundry and spotted my harmonica and music in a folder on the dryer. Why not? lol had not played it in a long time, made a joyful noise. The new cat had never heard such a noise, she thought I had a cat howling in my mouth. It was hilarious, I laughed and laughed at her. She was climbing all over me. May we all find some joy in our day.
:)
zinnia

Zinnia, it's very cute about your curious kitty.

That's wonderful that you sat down at your keyboard and played. Even better that you did it with your foot down! I have found piano very healing. Not only is it beautiful and a distraction from pain but that intense focus rewires you. Doing something like playing an instrument makes the "hand" portion of your brain spread. I say the less of it focused on pain and your foot the better.

Keep up the good work and thanks for spreading some sunshine. :)

:hug:

Cooked a complete corned beef and cabbage dinner, served it on my shamrock crocheted linen table cloth, put make-up on, wore a real " outfit" with a scarf and jewelry, set my hair and helped clean up afterwards. I even managed not to sleep in my clothes afterward, remove my make-up and brush my hair. Also, the PM doctor gave me a referral to Aqua PT to help me walk normally again. Whoo-hoo.

I went on a short vacation recently and had some trepidation about flying and getting around. Turns out I needn't have worried this time. I had no problems at all with the 2.5 hour flight, the security line or even the 5+ hour delay at the airport. The post-travel flare I normally had in the past didn't happen.

I had a ketamine boost a week before we left, took it easy for a while before the trip and didn't push too hard while there. I did way better than I expected. :) Being on the ocean was a real plus because anytime I felt that I was swelling I just walked barefoot in the surf - cool water + movement + osmosis = happy, happy foot.

Gotta admit though, I messed myself up once I got home because having felt so good I might have overdone it a wee bit on the bike. Whoopsy :p

Sunday the weather was beautiful here! It was in the low 70s and sunny and best of all no wind. Wind is so painful for me and just a light breeze is painful. I was able to sit on my porch with my dogs and soak up the fresh, warm. I have not been able to do this is over a year, maybe closer to 2!

It's amazing to see how something so little can have such a large affect on my mood.