Beth

[Guest guest]

Hi Beth, Reading your message to the group really reminded me how I used to feel. Just like you do now. I know right now you may think that your world as it used to be is at the end. But really it isn't. You are at the beginning. You still have the same things, family and such, as you had before. The only difference is that you really have to try to think of them differently. You can do the same things you did before RSD now, you just have to do them a little differently. In this respect all of us who have RSD are alike. Maybe the only way we are alike. We all have had to adjust to having RSD. Don't worry, you will get to the point where your whole life is not thinking and talking about RSD. It will happen. For the first several years that I had RSD, I was just like you are now. I just could not see past the effects of RSD on my life. But eventually I got sick and tired of just sitting around and saying to myself that I could not do things or I hate my life. One of the things that really helped me was to let everyone know that was close to me exactly what I was going through. I had never done that. I protected my kids from the reality of having RSD. I also protected my husband from the wife that was sick all the time. Even when my parents would come over I would try very hard not to act sick. Believe me this does not work. You have to have that support system. And the only way someone can support you is to let them know exactly how the RSD is affecting your life and your mind. You children are not too young to understand what you are going through at all. My children were younger then your are now when I got RSD, and once my husband and I sat them down and really explained what was going on with me, they were great. Kids have alot of compassion, believe me. My kids helped around the house every day. Oh they had their play time and fun time but they still helped. It makes them much more responsible. Also teaches them how to care for someone they love. This is so important. So don't shut them out of your life just because you have RSD. Do the same thing with your husband. My husband was much better once I was honest with him. He also started going to dr visits with me and that really helped. Getting information second hand is just not good at all. BEtter that he hears stuff from the dr mouth himself. You will find that once everyone else in your life knows what you are going through, things will be alot easier for you. Maybe now that you have RSD you can't do some of the things that you used to do in the same way you used to do them, but you can still enjoy doing those things in a different way. I was in a wheelchair for years. Could not walk or use my left arm. So maybe I could not bike ride with my kids like I did before, but we could still go for walks together. We still had each others company and love no matter what. Those are the things I cherished. Don't worry about what you can't do anymore, cherish the things that you can do. The simple things. It took me a long time to get this, but I did and so will you. Things do get better. I can't say this enough. And when you can't find that hope that you were talking about, just look at your kids and your husband. They will give you hope. No matter what they will always be there. Now don't you think that they deserve the same from you? I think so. Hey in a wheelchair I even went for walks with my kids. They just pushed. And we had a ball. You will get to the point where you will laugh and have good times again. Remember that God never gives us more than he thinks we can handle. If you ever want to talk, please email me anytime. Or just come here. That is what we are all here for. I will say a prayer for you. Take care and have a good night. Hugs, babs Take care and you are in my prayers.Hugs,babsGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com