Dawn/Driving Jai Bi*ch session LOL!!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/12/04 7:29:17 PM Pacific Daylight Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

Just told yesterday that I cannot drive anymore, so what did I do today, I got in the car and drove to the store and to my Moms!!!! I just can't let myself except the fact that I will no longer have the freedom to drive and may go paralyzed! It is a possibility and it really scares me. You never think it is going to happen to you until it does.

Hi Dawn,

I understand how you feel. I have not been able to drive since Oct. Of 99. It is VERY hard for me because I am a very independent person. I have been dealing with RSD since Oct.99 and it has been a very long and hard road. I lost everything I ever worked for and basically have no memories from Oct. 99 till about 2002. I was so heavily medicated, having back to back surgeries, blocks, etc. The septicemia caused infection to seed to other parts of my body causing osteomylitis (bone infections) in several parts of my body.I have spent almost as much time in the hospital or rehab hospital (physical rehab, not drug rehab) than I have out. Since the successful implantation of the SCS in August I am going to work on being able to drive again. I will hopefully be reducing the dosages of my meds due to the SCS. I am kind of bummed because I saw my pain doc yesterday and he did not reduce anything yet. He wants to let everything settle first. I am getting very impatient, I WANT TO DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please know that hopefully it will just be temporary that you can't drive, keep up the fight to beat this monster called RSD.

Finally my meds were stabilized so much so that I did not sleep all day and night. I was put on Methylin, kind of like Ritalin and it was a Godsend. I was still having problems with complications from surgeries but actually started forming some memories. I started being able to spend time at home, with home health nurses coming in to help me with dressing changes, IV's and even emotional support. After some of my surgeries to my leg they were so horrific I could not look at it let alone change the dressings. I am an RN and have seen it all but this was too much. When it is your own body it is totally different. I am sure any one in health care can agree that being the one in the hosp bed is totally different from being the caregiver!!! I had PT that came to my home to get me moving again. They were wonderful!!!

I have come a long way!! One year ago I could not walk through Walmart by myself, I had to use one of those electric carts, well NO MORE!!!!!! I still use crutches but can get around so much better.

My parents retired to a ski town up north and every fall they have a festival in the town. I always would go but my Dad had to bring my wheelchair so I could get around. The festival is this coming weekend and I am going to walk. Might not sound like much but it is a major accomplishment for me.

Wow I am really rambling on. I think what happened was that earlier I was looking through a bunch of pictures from the last few years. It just brought back a lot of memories.(That's a good sign LOL!) Sorry to burden you all with this but I guess I had to get it off of my chest. Thanks for listening (or reading really lol) You all are in my prayers, Love Jai

[Guest guest]

Jai,

I think it is absolutely wonderful that you will be able to walk at the carnival. It means a ton and I am extremely proud and wish I could be there to see you do it. I can only imagine the emotions it will bring to your Mom and Dad! I can see the tears of joy already!!! This is absolutely wonderful and you should be extremely proud of you accomplishments. You came along way baby!!!!!!

As far as being an RN and being a patient. I know what you are talking about, because one of my best friends is an RN in ICU and she makes the worst patient on the planet! I feel so bad for her husband sometimes when he is sick, because she drives him nuts, but yet she is horrible to even get to go to the doctors! I used to yell at her all the time, because she would help save lives, but yet she would not go to the doctors herself or she just would not listen. I used to tell her all the time that she was the worst patient I ever came across and we would both laugh!!! She knew it.

Anyhow I wish you all the best and know you will be walking without the crutches some day in the near future. Take Care and wish you all the best. LOL and Best Wishes Always!!!!

Dawn

jaismonkey@... wrote:

In a message dated 10/12/04 7:29:17 PM Pacific Daylight Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

Just told yesterday that I cannot drive anymore, so what did I do today, I got in the car and drove to the store and to my Moms!!!! I just can't let myself except the fact that I will no longer have the freedom to drive and may go paralyzed! It is a possibility and it really scares me. You never think it is going to happen to you until it does. Hi Dawn,I understand how you feel. I have not been able to drive since Oct. Of 99. It is VERY hard for me because I am a very independent person. I have been dealing with RSD since Oct.99 and it has been a very long and hard road. I lost everything I ever worked for and basically have no memories from Oct. 99 till about 2002. I was so heavily medicated, having back to back surgeries, blocks, etc. The septicemia caused infection to seed to other parts of my body causing

osteomylitis (bone infections) in several parts of my body.I have spent almost as much time in the hospital or rehab hospital (physical rehab, not drug rehab) than I have out. Since the successful implantation of the SCS in August I am going to work on being able to drive again. I will hopefully be reducing the dosages of my meds due to the SCS. I am kind of bummed because I saw my pain doc yesterday and he did not reduce anything yet. He wants to let everything settle first. I am getting very impatient, I WANT TO DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please know that hopefully it will just be temporary that you can't drive, keep up the fight to beat this monster called RSD.Finally my meds were stabilized so much so that I did not sleep all day and night. I was put on Methylin, kind of like Ritalin and it was a Godsend. I was still having problems with complications from surgeries but actually started forming some memories. I started being

able to spend time at home, with home health nurses coming in to help me with dressing changes, IV's and even emotional support. After some of my surgeries to my leg they were so horrific I could not look at it let alone change the dressings. I am an RN and have seen it all but this was too much. When it is your own body it is totally different. I am sure any one in health care can agree that being the one in the hosp bed is totally different from being the caregiver!!! I had PT that came to my home to get me moving again. They were wonderful!!!I have come a long way!! One year ago I could not walk through Walmart by myself, I had to use one of those electric carts, well NO MORE!!!!!! I still use crutches but can get around so much better. My parents retired to a ski town up north and every fall they have a festival in the town. I always would go but my Dad had to bring my wheelchair so I could get around. The festival

is this coming weekend and I am going to walk. Might not sound like much but it is a major accomplishment for me. Wow I am really rambling on. I think what happened was that earlier I was looking through a bunch of pictures from the last few years. It just brought back a lot of memories.(That's a good sign LOL!) Sorry to burden you all with this but I guess I had to get it off of my chest. Thanks for listening (or reading really lol) You all are in my prayers, Love Jai