Tag Archives: Pain Management

Navigating Cold Weather with CRPS/RSD: A Call for Advice

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Journey to Optimism

Learning the Lingo “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” – Anne Bradstreet I will be the first to admit that I … Continue reading →

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Sometimes Finding Yourself is as Easy as Finding Your Friends

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

“Life is partly what you make of it, and partly what is made by the friends we choose.” – Tennessee Williams A Missing Person You may be asking yourself where I have been.  I have found myself asking that very … Continue reading →

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Realizing Disappointments Are Not Setbacks

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

Everyday Disappointments “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King Disappointments have been intensely magnified over the past few months; they are lurking everywhere.  I have waited so long to hear good news that … Continue reading →

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Taking the Long Way Home

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

Suffering Silently “The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to … Continue reading →

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Together We are Not Alone

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

Loneliness.  Anger.  Fear.  Laughter. “Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.” – Dag Hammarskjold   I find myself wrapped in my own darkness these days.  Regardless of the number … Continue reading →

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Some Surprises are Delightful

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

New Beginnings “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.” – Ambrose Redmoon Some days are more difficult than others, though this last week was particularly hard.  I transitioned … Continue reading →

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Remembering to March On

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

The Wars We Fight I’m normally in bed by now, but I found myself touched by a song today that I had somehow never heard on my playlist.  I’m moved by things that I love, and, honestly, there’s not much … Continue reading →

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Physical Therapy and Weaning Off of Pain Medicine

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

“Pain is such an uncomfortable feeling that even a tiny amount of it is enough to ruin every enjoyment.” – Will Rogers Weaning Off Pain Medicine While in Pain This is my third time weaning myself off of pain medicine … Continue reading →

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Mindy-Body Connections with CRPS/RSD: They Do Exist

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

The Big Day These days there’s a lot to celebrate.  Even during times of excruciating pain, there’s almost always light somewhere just waiting for me to grab at it.  Sometimes it hides in crevices.  Other times it shines like a … Continue reading →

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Navigating Through the Struggles…(Life is What You Make of It)

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

The Struggle It Takes to be Human The beginning:  pain level 4.  This morning’s physical therapy session was challenging – I’m not going to lie.  I’m tough in therapy.  I execute each request, not always flawlessly but to the best … Continue reading →

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What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Crutches

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

Warning Labels Upon receipt of my new set of crutches at the hospital, they lacked the accompaniment of written instructions.  It sounded simple.  Grasp the handles while holding your weight and limp with your good foot.  In my opinion, they … Continue reading →

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A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step: CRPS & Small Victories

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

Celebrate Small Victories I’ve always heard that in order to become more optimistic, one must learn how to celebrate each and every victory – even those that seem so small. Today is very much a day for the celebration of … Continue reading →

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Torture, Also Referred to as Treatment by Doctors

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

Spring is Here!

Newly blooming Bottlebrushes in our front yard: my prized plants!

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The Beginning: A Realist Gets a Dose of Reality

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Journey to Optimism

Avoiding Reality & Limitations Pessimistic: a word with such negative connotation. Instead, I’ve chosen to refer to myself as a realist throughout my life, as if modifying a word magically transforms its true meaning. Wordsmithing at its finest. I have … Continue reading →

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