[nancyinLA]

thks 2 all the prayers, my 82 yr old dad made it thru kidney surgery.....he's still in ICU but should b out tomorr. & into a room. i should say he's doing great! it's me that needs help! i can hardly walk (esp. by nite) - going 2 ft dr tomorr. ya know my RSD began in my left wrist, hand, arm..... now it's my left foot. have had anxiety attacks, crying, etc. ahhhhh, pls continue 2 keep us in ur prayers!

[hope4thebest]

Hi Nancy,
Good news about your Dad!!! He must be one strong and hardy man to be doing so well after kidney surgery..
I'll keep you and your family in my meditation prayers..
Please, please, take some time to start taking care of yourself if you can! The stress and over -exertion can take its toll..Is there any way you can rest?
I know you are the one who is overseeing your Dad..I hope you are able to get some help...
Please take some time to practice some relaxation techniques, even if it's just for a few minutes at a time...it will help with the anxiety
Hope4thebest

[loretta]

Hi Nancy,
Thank you for letting us all know about your Dad's surgery. Please know we all have been pulling for your Dad AND You. It's so stressful when one of our loved ones undergo surgery, and such a serious one at his age.
Has your Dr. ever put you on anti-anxiety medicine. My Dr. feels as I do, it calms the sympathetic nervous system down, and prevents some of the pain and can help with panic attacks etc. I'm glad you are seeing your Dr. I addended bio-feedback classes at a large hospital. It really helps us to be aware of our body, and ways to calm it down. Most hospitals have an education department that tells us about various group educational aids like that. I also have found diet can play a big part on our health. Foods that have anti-oxidants in them are good. Some good information on the net. Did I tell you about a website from a Dr. in Florida. Dr. Hooshmand is retired, but left his website up. rsdrx.com
Under 'Puzzles' there are 140 questions and his answers. music and waterfall,streams, ocean sounds can be very relaxing. I love scented candles and essential oils under low heat.
Bathing with lavender oils or others can be very relaxing. Journaling and release emotions and help us understand ourselves better. Meditation has long been a method to clear our thoughts. I also use visualization, pictures a favorite beach or other places that bring me a peaceful feeling. I have no problem going into a MRI for an hour using visualization. I personally like massage. I'm sure going thru desenzitization helped in make this possible. I enjoy reading. I just saw the bio of Michael J Fox and want to read his new book Always looking Up. He has such a positive disposition now. It's his story of adjusting to having Parkinsons disease. Are you seeing a phychologist or psychiatrist.
The last 5 years have been so much better with a counselor than without. I also belong to the local RSD support group, but don't get to the meetings like I would like to. Now that I'm sleeping, I should be able to be more regular.
Wish you well and hope the best for you too. Your friend, loretta

[daniella]

Hi I am glad your dad is doing better. I am sorry for your pain and condition. Does your foot doctor deal with rsd? Do you have a pain doctor who does cause I really encourage you if not to find one? As for the anxiety and crying I can relate and I encourage you to also see a psych who can help you with the mental side of the rsd. It does not take away the physical pain but it has helped me to cope better. I wish I did not wait 2 years to go back to one but better late then never. Sending thoughts and take care

[Dew58]

Nancy,

Happy to know your Father is doing well.

I am worried about you,though. As I recently experienced the hospital/family experience, I know the stress that you are under.

You must listen to your body and rest whenever you need too..or want too.

Don't be afraid to use a hospital wheelchair to get you to point A to B.
They saved me from long walks that I would NEVER have been able to walk alone.

You don't have to live at the hospital to be supportive; frankly, your father will get more rest if the room isn't packed with visitors. I know it is hard, and I wanted to be at the hospital every minute,too..but you won't be supportive to your father and/or family, should you happen to end up in the hospital, yourself. I say this because I care about you

Tears are good, relieves stress. Anxiety attacks are not good, so pace yourself.

Make sure you take your meds on time, and try to sleep whenever it is possible.

You and your family are in my prayers..please, take care of you.


Dew

[ali12]

So glad to hear your fathers surgery went well, Nancy! I hope he makes a full recovery real soon and am keeping him in my thoughts and prayers!!

I'm so sorry to hear about everything you are going through right now! I can't imagine how hard it must be for you to take care of your dad AND yourself - you're amazing!

As the others said, please take it easy and don't overdo it - I know, easier said than done! You MUST take care of yourself! The last thing you want is to end up in a real bad flare and i'm sure your dad will feel the same way also!

I hope your doctors appt goes well and please keep us posted when you can!

Yourself and your dad are in my thoughts and prayers and sending many pain-free 's your way!

[CRPSbe]

Nancy,

Great to hear about your dad. How's everything now?
Hope you are feeling a bit better too.

[nancyinLA]

Originally Posted by hope4thebest

Hi Nancy,
Good news about your Dad!!! He must be one strong and hardy man to be doing so well after kidney surgery..
I'll keep you and your family in my meditation prayers..
Please, please, take some time to start taking care of yourself if you can! The stress and over -exertion can take its toll..Is there any way you can rest?
I know you are the one who is overseeing your Dad..I hope you are able to get some help...
Please take some time to practice some relaxation techniques, even if it's just for a few minutes at a time...it will help with the anxiety
Hope4thebest

thks sooooo much 4 prys. a friend drove 2 hosp. w/my husb. yester. 2 drive my mom & me back home - SWEET sleep last nite!! my hubby took off wk last nite & tonite 2 stay & give me rest. he could tell by my voice yester. am that i was worn out!! i'm going back tomorr. (we're 100 mi. from hosp)
UPDATE: i did report great surgery news & great condition in ICU.....however, when DAD got to the floor, nurses gave him big shot of phenergen (?sp) - & it has thrown him 4 a CRAZY loop! i'm tellin u, he has talked outa his head, hallucinated, etc. not slept since fri., 9:30 p.m. & hasn't eaten since last tues. nite! the psychiatrist there called me at my home this a.m. to get all his med history, etc. he's taking him off all narc. (Klonopin) & all heavy pain stuff. the main surgeon visited this a.m. & dad couldn't tell him where he was, etc. my husband's a jewel - dad hasn't slept & mike hasn't slept!! the surgeon said that this was common & 2 let me know that he should b better in 2-3 days. MAN, 2 have come thru a hard surgery (esp. 4 an 82 yr old) & then 2 have this 2 deal with!! THKS 4 prayers

[nancyinLA]

Originally Posted by loretta

Hi Nancy,
Thank you for letting us all know about your Dad's surgery. Please know we all have been pulling for your Dad AND You. It's so stressful when one of our loved ones undergo surgery, and such a serious one at his age.
Has your Dr. ever put you on anti-anxiety medicine. My Dr. feels as I do, it calms the sympathetic nervous system down, and prevents some of the pain and can help with panic attacks etc. I'm glad you are seeing your Dr. I addended bio-feedback classes at a large hospital. It really helps us to be aware of our body, and ways to calm it down. Most hospitals have an education department that tells us about various group educational aids like that. I also have found diet can play a big part on our health. Foods that have anti-oxidants in them are good. Some good information on the net. Did I tell you about a website from a Dr. in Florida. Dr. Hooshmand is retired, but left his website up. rsdrx.com
Under 'Puzzles' there are 140 questions and his answers. music and waterfall,streams, ocean sounds can be very relaxing. I love scented candles and essential oils under low heat.
Bathing with lavender oils or others can be very relaxing. Journaling and release emotions and help us understand ourselves better. Meditation has long been a method to clear our thoughts. I also use visualization, pictures a favorite beach or other places that bring me a peaceful feeling. I have no problem going into a MRI for an hour using visualization. I personally like massage. I'm sure going thru desenzitization helped in make this possible. I enjoy reading. I just saw the bio of Michael J Fox and want to read his new book Always looking Up. He has such a positive disposition now. It's his story of adjusting to having Parkinsons disease. Are you seeing a phychologist or psychiatrist.
The last 5 years have been so much better with a counselor than without. I also belong to the local RSD support group, but don't get to the meetings like I would like to. Now that I'm sleeping, I should be able to be more regular.
Wish you well and hope the best for you too. Your friend, loretta

don't know what i'd do w/out all my RSD friends!! trying 2 update everyone (pls read my prior mess. 2 "hope4thebest" - concern. my dad's "crazy" state!) my husband has called several times during the a.m. dad's getting calmer, quieter, but still "walks" alot (in bed) by constantly moving his legs. but he IS closing his eyes 4 periods of 5 min. or so....
Ans. 2 quest: yes, i've just been given Ativan 4 "impending" seizures (have epilepsy)....have had 2 take that sev. times lately. and yes, love dr. hooshmand. like rding the puzzles. yep, have a psychologist (once/wk). he's my fav. dr! and i luv calming techniques, as stress is soooo cruel 2 us!
thks so much 4 ur friendship. ya'll have been soooo kind & helpful!

[nancyinLA]

Originally Posted by daniella

Hi I am glad your dad is doing better. I am sorry for your pain and condition. Does your foot doctor deal with rsd? Do you have a pain doctor who does cause I really encourage you if not to find one? As for the anxiety and crying I can relate and I encourage you to also see a psych who can help you with the mental side of the rsd. It does not take away the physical pain but it has helped me to cope better. I wish I did not wait 2 years to go back to one but better late then never. Sending thoughts and take care

thks 4 prayers! updates on Dad r in previous 2 messages....
my foot dr. "sorta" deals w/RSD. he's having hard time relating this 2 my arm RSD!! sooooo, w.c. is sending me back 2 my PM dr. AAAHHHHH w.c. is awful, do u hear me?? i do have a psychol & orthop & neurologist 4 seizures....