Wow, Diane: I can't imagine; from all the replies I have read, you are truly an inspiration to many people. I have only had this for 11 months and am amazed at how slow time goes and how little people know about this condition. I am proud and pleased that you have done so well.

About the HBOT; where can I read your info on that? I have just recently heard about this and am trying to find more info about it. I don't want to pay the cost if not sure of outcome, but am looking for alternatives to surgery.

Have a great time on your trip; we will all be eager to hear of your adventures when you return. Take care, Suz66

Im glad to hear that you are up in good spirits,,God has really blessed you,,praise him,,its so nice to hear that people are still able to function with a normal life after that lenght of time,,,,God will heal us ,,i believe this,,,,and i just started aqua jogging,,it help me alot ,,after im out of the water at home the next day,,i feel stronger,,,water is a good thing,,,enjoy yourself,,,,,,,,,,,,,,bobber

Suz66,
Hi!! I will be glad to share what knowledge I have on HBOT. You can read my threads and posts, also..I'll send you a pm with my phone number and you can call if you like with any questions you might have. I'll send a friend request to you and when you except, you can look at the pictures of my chamber.
Take Care, I look forward to talking to you anytime,
Di

Thanks again for all the kind and inspiring thoughts. I'll just leave a quick note here on my dive weekend.
Recently my life situation had become very challenging and stressful. This weekend dive shed some new light...I, so needed to be reminded of.

1) When you look at a picture too closely it gets distorted!!! If you take a photo and put it close to your face, the picture becomes distorted. So it is in life. Removing myself and observing from a distance gave me clarity.

2) Also, diving and being with young children reminded me that.....All good comes from God! We need to be grateful, because if you look around there is greatness and good everywhere.

3) What we say and do has an impact...one that we may never know how much effect it will have. Therefore we should be aware and present where ever we are (in the moment).

The dive class consisted of lifeguards from Whitesands Missle Range. These young adults were amazing and great fun to be with.

There were also two young boys there certifying with their mom. So I assisted her with one whille she assisted the other while testing. I also went turtle hunting (underwater of course) with the boys. They had lost their father a few years earlier to a tragic accident and they were just amazing young spirits to be with.

There were so many other situations, that I felt gave me insight. Just the beauty, creatures and the amazing souls I shared a playful experience with. Bobber...you are RIGHT I am blessed. We all are. There...even in this hard economic times...are many blessings for us to enjoy!

The first night I suffered terribly and was sure there was NO way I would dive the next day. But the new day came...and I went again. Although I have effects from the weekend, the " Good " certainly has outwieghted the bad.
Much Love to all!
Di

such an inspiration! ur thoughts of lking @ life thru diff. eyes r my thoughts. i've had this "challenge" 4 a yr now..... still learning

Thank you! 20 years and I am still learning. It seemed the first 5 years were very rough. Too much medication and too much pain. There were weeks I totally missed. As the years progressed, I think my body got use (for lack of a better word) to the pain. I could feel life slipping away and knew I had lost much valuable time. So I began to try and live my life a bit differently everyday and the evolution has been amazing. I am still experiencing brutually painful days, but also days, I can say I have lived. Keep hope alive...as they say. Life is amazing.

Hugs di

I am so glad you had this great weekend. I could tell the difference in your voice when we talked tonight then from the last times we have talked.

It's amazing what kids can do for you too. My two boys perk me up all of the time. I went down Friday night to their house and watched about 10 of them playing pool and working on their bikes. What laughs I got out of them goofing around. Kids can pull us up out of the dark when no one else can except God that is.

I think we need to get outside of the box more and see the fun things out there.

Ada

I was going to crack a joke, like............Did your RSD buy you a gift or take you to dinner ? But........a rejuvenating dive weekend sure sounds like a good present !

I'm sorry you've been dealing with this for so long, but I love your spirit and positive outlook on living with RSD

Hey Di,
I too, think that a Dive weekend would make you feel a little better about your 20 year anniversary! Throw a party!

It's been so long since I've doved, and wifey took mine and my children's dive gear, well you see the picture.
I'm starting to work on my own HBOT station!
Yep!
I'm a retired plumber as you may or may not know, and I got a big ole' tank, like say for fuel oil right, (so this can be a two person HBOT),
and, I'm gonna solder that up, and get some nice new shiny galvanized garbage can lids for the tops. (Whar' ya sticks yer head out.)
I'm gonna add wheels, and a tippsy whippsy, so ya's can be standing or lyin' down....

And, I got an old acetylene tank(s), that I'll fill with some Oxygen, and pump that in.

Of course, I'll run out to K Smart and buy some donna Reed softies and pilloes.
all the frills, right!
Maybe a little cooler for in there too!
(I'm thinkin maybe one of those shoe shine devices, to shine yer toenails, too. Bring Quarters!)...

But, before use, I'm sending the whole KittenKaboodle out,,,,,, ta get Chromed! Yea!
Oh, I'm tearin' at my eyes now! This is goona be so Beeutiful!

Chrome this n that, and tubes and pumps and dials and guages!
Yea!

Oh, and Pillow SHAMS! (for the ladies)!

Yes.

I'm a tellin's ya'll here, cuz I trusts ya.
But, don't say nutin' bout it, cuz I have not filed the principal patents on it yet!

PS
I got my eye on an old (but good!O) Mr Frosty Truck, to drive it around in, and ta let folks try it!
I suppose the license plate on that there, will cover me!? In All necessary conventions?
Hah!
I figure by the end of ohhh.... 2013 she'll be purrin' like a kitten and ready to go...

Oh, the truck might burn a little oil, but, I'll run a pipe up to the top!, So's it don't upset with the breathin' ya know?

Wish me well now!

pete
(You call, I build).

ASB

Diana,

What a great idea – commemorating the anniversary. I passed 20 a few years ago and didn’t think of that. It probably really helps you to “take ownership” (to use a popular shrink phrase) of the situation.

Sounds like you had a good weekend and were able to step back and put things into perspective.

Wishing you all of the best

--- Mike