Hi everybody. I didn't realize how long it's been since I've been on here, I've just been very busy!

The good news is that everything is working well with my SCSs for my RSD in my knees and wrist. They're helping keep the pain reduced. Although with the effects of Hurricane Sandy hitting us here, my pain has been much worse lately. But that's expected, and I'm still so grateful for my devices.

In other good news, I started graduate school in August, and I really love it I'm getting my Master's in Early Childhood Special Education, and I love the field so much. The fellow members of my cohort are fantastic people. I am going to get my certification in teaching and in developmental therapy, because I would love to work in either occupation and this way I will have twice the job opportunities.

I have also started working as a nanny to my three young cousins who are 5, 7, and 8, as my uncle was (thankfully) awarded full custody. It's been a challenge, but I love the kids with all my heart and I'm so glad to be there for them. It's just that working for a family member isn't easy, you know?

Now for the not so great news, and I wish I didn't have any, but about a month ago I fell and twisted my ankle when my foot got caught in a hole outside. When, in the weeks after, my pain continued to get worse and worse when it should have been healed already, I knew what was likely happening. Then the allodynia, burning, heat, and redness started and there was no question- the RSD has spread to my left ankle as well. I don't know why it happened now, because I have had other injuries in the past that didn't cause spread, but I suspect it was something with the twisting along with my left side being the weaker side of my body (as that was the first knee to have it and the side that my affected wrist is on). The pain seems to be getting worse by the day lately, and it's always so hard to deal with another spread. I can't live in a bubble and accidents will happen, but it does make me worry how bad things will be a couple years from now if my RSD continues to spread.

The good thing is that I already have the lumbar SCS for my legs, and I had a 3 month post-op doctor's appointment on Tuesday, so my rep was able to get the stimulation stronger in that ankle- which has definitely made a difference. Even since Tuesday, though, the pain seems to be in the bottom of my foot now as well. My doctor suggested at the appointment also trying a couple bier blocks. He had me schedule the first one for 2 weeks out, and said I could always cancel it if I was getting enough relief from the SCS. I just feel like it can't hurt to try them, especially since the pain is so bad right now. Since I'm catching it very early, there's always a chance, and I'm hopeful that it could maybe do some real lasting benefit. And while I've never had much success with blocks lasting long in the past, I've never had an SCS working in the area while I've had them, so maybe the two elements working together could bring more relief, I'm hoping.

I also wanted to share an experience I had with a resident at this visit on Tuesday with you all because I know those of us who have been to countless doctor's appointments can appreciate it more. The resident was great during my appointment and taking my history. He really listened, and many times they don't. But at the end of my programming session when I asked him if it was possible to come on another day of the week for my block since I have class on Tuesday evenings and can't drive after being under anesthesia, he went to check. When he first suggested seeing another doctor for it who I had had bad experiences with in the past, after I told him that I was uncomfortable seeing this doctor, he went back to check again about different days and told me I could come any day. After assuring him he didn't need to go through so much trouble, he actually said to me several times "we're here to make things easier for you". I was so impressed!! I have never heard any doctor utter these words before, and while I have seen many many residents and fellows at this location, I couldn't imagine anyone else actually going through this much work to try to accommodate things for me. It really meant a lot to hear that and we definitely need more people like him in the medical field