Climbing the Ladder
I just chuckled to myself as I wrote the title of this thinking of me trying to get up a ladder with my drag a leg. Finding the positivity and humor in everything makes the best possible outcome for the present moment. Now it seems to be my natural reaction at times and that makes me proud. Neuroplasticity is real and can be practiced by anyone who wants to try.
When I think of climbing the ladder, I'm thinking of climbing up from old ways of thinking and situations, and rising to the next level towards the new moment. No matter what it is, we have to get past whatever is there, so we can get to the next step. Unless we want to go backwards and step down, but that's not as progressive or productive and not the direction I want to go in.
I have to get myself up to the next step WITH my drag a leg. It's not going away yet and the 10.5km walk to Conquer CRPS is coming up quickly! There is much organizing, promoting, networking and fundraising left to do. (If you or your business want to help, email [email protected])
But I have barely been able to work my 2.5 hour shift, blog and keep up with housework. I have only made 2 Instagram posts with @ConquerCRPS and none with @HippieRaysWays in my 3 weeks of treatment. I have only been able to make limited contacts in regards to the walk. Why am I so drained??
I don't think the BioPhoton Therapy (Photon Therapy with blue and red lights) is the right treatment for me. Please, do not be discouraged by reading this if you are hoping to try the treatment. There is a 60% success rate that I know of. I know of people who have been in more than tolerable pain levels for more than 3 years now, after 2 sessions with year of CRPS pain prior. Young teenagers who feel no pain after 1 session. It can be right for the right person and I will forever stand by that. Every patient is different and the only way we know if it's right for us, is by trying.
Early diagnosis is also so important. Within the first 3 MONTHS is when treatment is most effective in most cases. This is why I decided to treat my leg as soon as it was an option, so I could hopefully nip it in the butt.
Unfortunately, my pain is generally 8/10 now. That's a good, normal day and I might be going crazy from trying to be ok with it.
Anyone else have to constantly remind themselves that "it's ok, that doesn't hurt"? Or breathe heavier with earplugs in to reduce the sound around them so their body can stop being stiff? Or even more embarrassing, twitching?
I dress up in nice clothes one day to try to feel pretty and I just get told how awful I look when I walk. My skirt agreed every time it touched my leg in the wind to give me a shock of fire. Why the heck did I even try?
On Monday, me and the doctor discussed how this might not be the right treatment, but she wanted to finish this week & then we might be done. This morning, I'm feeling quite nervous. I have a feeling I am going to go through the same intense pain for 24 hours afterwards like I have been. I have my step daughters again this weekend too and I hate them seeing me like that.
I just want to feel better, have my energy levels back up to par and rock the sh*t out of the 2nd Annual Walk To Conquer CRPS on August 31.
Go to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/walk-to-conquer-crps/ to donate now
Things have been dragging me down a little bit lately, but I am hoping to take the next step up the ladder soon. "It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop" -Confucius
Day 75/375
Entry 34/183
Positive thoughts,
-Kristen Sparkle
@ConquerCRPS and @HippieRaysWays on Instagram
Hmmm. I had never heard about such illness before. Is this a common problem?
I am sorry to hear about your experience. That seems painful and uncomfortable... 😔
Good luck finding a cure, if any exists. If not, I hope you find the best treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Congratulations on being featured by @angelro on an entry for the Pay It Forward Contest**
It is not very common. It's former names are Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Causalgia and many more. They keep changing the name but it has been called CRPS since 1995 to most people. There is no cure yet, but I do hope with all of my awareness and fundraising efforts that we will find one within my lifetime so that future generations do not have to suffer. Paula Abdul has it, but she also has wonderful finances and can afford amazing doctors and treatment. Thank you for the support and I hope you have a great day with lots to smile about :)
Hmmm, I see. I think it's the first time I hear about it.
Your post was featured in an entry into @pifc's Curation Contest:Week 62. Posts are selected because the entrant felt you are producing great content and deserve more attention (& rewards) on your post. As such your post has been upvoted and will be visited by other members of the PIFC Community.
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Thank you so much for your support! The more people who read, the more people learn about CRPS-Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. I cannot thank you enough for helping me share the message. I hope you have lots to smile about today!
Every time I goes through your post makes me mixed reactions. How life treats different people in a different way. Nevertheless you are powewrful than any other human being.
All the best for your efforts.
Mixed reactions and emotions are completely understandable. It is frustrating to write out sometimes, but the process of living a positive life has been incredibly beneficial for me and I hope to inspire others to try. In small ways :) like sharing your kindness and support, I greatly appreciate it. Thank you and I hope you find lots to smile about today my friend :)
I can understand you fully. The only way to leave this frustration is to stay positive, think positive and be in a positive state of mind always. What about changing your name from HIPPIE RAYs to HAPPY RAYs....
I would like to see your smile always and it will brighten my days
I don't understand people that put things down that they don't know or understand. Are the embarrassed at their own ignorance? It's great that you are willing to try different therapies.
I know it's hard but don't give up hope.
Also, since you seem to be more on Instagram the Steemit. There is a dapp called Share2Steem which will take your Instagram posts and put them in your Steemit feed.
You were featured in week 62 of @pifc's Pay It Forward Curation Contest by @angelro. @pifc is a Pay It Forward Community which believes in by helping others grow we build a stronger community. We run this contest each week, it is open to everyone. It's a great way to show off people you find that might need some more exposure and meet new people
Thank you for your support and information! I will definitely look into Share2Steem! I know it is frustrating sometimes, other people's actions and reactions, but it's best to know that the only person you can control is yourself :) this helps me when dealing with certain people in certain situations, I hope it helps :) have a fantastic day and find lots to smile about my friend :)
You are so welcome @thehippierays 😊 I am here if you need anything. Just need to put @tryskele and our lovely friend @ginabot will let me know :) If you don't know about her, we'll have to introduce you or to one of her friends LOL.
I find the best way to try to stay positive is support. LOTS of support. Yesterday, was not such a good day. It's over and today is new
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Not sure where this payout is but hooray :) one day I'll be able to understand all of this :)