Talk about a really crap time health wise at the moment. This is seriously the first time in almost a week I have appeared to be a slightly functioning human being, I dragged my ass to the doctors yesterday and got the diagnosis of damn influenza! I even got the flu jab at the beginning of the season when recommended! Of course there are germs everywhere, I reckon because I live in the city too that its just a breeding ground for the nasty bugs. Good old country air, the beach and some good clean living is what I crave! sadly in these economic times these are just the places we visit not live!
So I can't winge too much a very close family member (grandad/father) is currently in hospital after suffering a heart attack 2 nights ago. Its such a horrid feelings finding out your nearest and dearest are unwell, Its even harder when you can't do a single thing except offer hope and support in the form of a phone call, wishful kind words. I won't go into too much detail as being such a public blog I totally respect my families privacy.
Needless to say I'm not my positive self, in fact I want to find a big hole and hide.
Won't happen though... its too cold, I don't like holes, and the kids would probably wonder what the heck their mother is up to hiding in a hole.
My Husband on the other hand would probably jump in too and say shhhhhh!!! don't let the kids find us in here its our only time we have had together by our selves in some time LOL!
Enough about my hole!
Life is hard right now, As I so very run down my doctor has advised to start weaning my 11 month old onto bottle/cup as my body is just so shattered, YIP through the mist of all of this stuff I am still breastfeeding!
INSANE101 right here
Its not the easiest task trying to convince the brown eyed baby boy that "milkyz" from a cup/bottle is nice, this mornings sleep was a tad challenging! but hes snoozing now so YAY
Online grocery shopping happened today, Its like my SAVIOR when illness kicks in - have 3 free deliveries Thank you very much #COUNTDOWN
32 years old tomorrow, am grateful for every day I get in this life, its nice to stop and collate how many you have lived for every once in a while. I may get ambitious and make myself a cake.
Time to take care of myself again
Salz x
Tuesday 19 August 2014
Wednesday 13 August 2014
The Spoon Theory
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/
Might just slap a 'out of order' sticker on my head and call it a day
Boom and bust. Heard that term before? CRPS flares up and then you go bust and you crash until you fall. Ha! But the absolute paradox of this illness is the boom part, you get that one day where you wake up cause you OMG got sleep and actually feel like a functioning human being, you drink coffee and it gives you a hit! Your like right! Cause the rest of my week has been shit I am going to make up for it by doing EVERYTHING I couldn't do and before you know it the ceilings are getting cleaned with a tooth brush and your like CRPS? What CRPS? I am well and super mum and then you go BUST.
Show of hands please of who can relate to this description?!?!
Year we need to like learn how to pace ourselves.
Pace ourselves.... That means we take our good nights sleep and we go wow I feel good, then change one little thing first about your day, my advise leave out the coffee. You don't need it - you have natural energy resources on board today.
Then keep your calm on, be kind to yourself. Use that feeling of wellness to eat well, go for a walk, sit in the sunshine and get some vitamin D.
You are not obliged to make up for the past week you had, let it be and enjoy the feeling of wellness.
We totally must find how to switch off this emergency response we have going on in central nervous. If you drove your car at 220km per hour every day would you're fuel costs be high and would you wreck that engine pretty darn quickly?
Logic says yes.
So if like me you can see how booming and busting is not helping your CRPS, try finding the middle ground and balance.
Salz x
Tuesday 12 August 2014
Not well tonight
Well I wrote this post and in my hazey state didn't post it or hit save! Annoying! Well its a new day! Yesterday I met a great new friend who like me is a crps battler! She's no victim like me and I instantly liked that about her :) its like life gave her a big bag of free lemons she never asked for and she worked out the best recipe to make all she could from this big bag! Inspiration! She found me from the stuff story I wrote, in fact I have quite a few great people who have connected with me from this. How awesome! This project of mine is going to take some time and this journey to achieve wellness is huge - little steps. Wellness plan under construction!!! Watch this space x
Sunday 10 August 2014
This afternoon
Sometimes we need someone simply to be there.. Not fix anything or do anything in particular, but just let us feel we are supported and cared about.
This afternoon I was that person for someone who had seen my story and recognised me in the supermarket.
I knew writing my story was like putting myself and my illness on a billboard for the world to see.
I am totally o.k with this. Because my story could be your story, and sometimes we can't always find the right words to tell our story - but someone else might be able to do that for us.
She was so overwhelmed to meet someone like her we had the most biggest hug! Thats the human spirit right there. Connecting at a time of sadness. But knowing your not alone :)
Salz x
Can you give just a little to help me get alternative treatment
http://www.givealittle.co.nz/
I have had such an amazing response from the public with different treatment ideas - I would like to thank everyone who has given such helpful feedback I really would love to be able to seek alternative treatment - I will be keeping updates on everything via my blog
Can you help me do this? Even $1 is one step closer to me creating an alternative treatment plan.
Thank you so much again - this awareness is amazing
I am going to post a video of my tried treatments
Goal for today. Respond to the comments on the stuff website via video on my blog.
Treatments and the effects
Check back later
Oh and share my blog! Get this real life chronic pain awareness out there!
Salz x
Functional human being just add coffee
If only it were that easy. I'm wearing the same comfy pants I slept in, the world has seen my make up less face, a headband hides my none tamed hair and I actually sat done in front of another grown up and had a short meeting looking like this before coffee had even entered my body! Childcare for the bubs a couple of times a week so I can get back on track with my treatments.
I had a brief phone call with my mum while ordering coffee this morning. I dropped off the teenager at highschool and threw five bucks to him to go with his lunch, the 2 more middle kids had to endure a detour home because Mr six year old forgot his gumboots, so we found them, one at the neighbours doorstep the other over the fence in some grass. After shooing them out of the car at their separate schools like a zoo keeper the baby looks at me with his big brown eyes and wiggles his fluffy feet to the music playing :) its 9am and somehow we are all alive :) fed, warm and I think I washed 6 pills down with flat coke zero ewww. But alive that's right alive we are that! Today....well baby fluffy feet is snoozing, the dryer beeped, the dishes in the sink need washing and all I want to do is go to bed - but I won't, and I can't because today CRPS flares don't win today, they are there dragging my energy and giving me pain but I keep going , keep on keeping on and pace myself.
This isn't mind over matter, this is pain and this is real.
Today is a day of pulling all my tools and strength together just to get the basics of life achieved.
That is chronic pain.
Salz x
3.05am in the morning and my pain alarm clock has woken me up
The hardest thing about this CRPS is its lack of consistently or predictability. I like to look at stuff with the 80:20 rule. If 80% of the time life's going well then success! 20% room for marginal error I can live with, plan for the worst; hope for the best, that kinda stuff. Lately (well the past almost 6 years) 80% of the time I have been sick and 20% of the time a glint of wellness.
This is CRPS it hits you, it gets you when you are in the best mindset and your day is going great!
I have a few trigger points, sleep deprivation is a great one.
Stress feeds the pain.
Overwhelming response to simple stuff brings on a pain flare, fight or flight response.
Sugar and inflammatory response - CRPS flares love sugar. Sugar = Pain
Social situations and other peoples energy. Its the hypersensitivity reactions CRPS creates which makes you "feel" every bodies emotional stuff. Like ever walk into a room and "feel like you could cut the tension with a knife" its like that! You feel what everyone around you is going through - I gauge it.
And now my eyes are shutting on me - my goodness I'm boring myself with my writing! Lol
On that note sleep music time .
Salz x
Saturday 9 August 2014
I woke up and stepped in a big pile of sunday!
I live in a student flat.
5 guys and me.
The hairy one and one that wears nappies room in with me, most mornings I wake up with the one who wears nappies eating my hair and trying to stab my eyes.
The toilet is pretty gross, I have learned that a clean toilet seat only happens when I clean it. The kitchen... Well most days I'm up early to look after these flat mates of mine. The 14 year old plays guitar and hibernation seems to be his thing lately. The 11 and 6 year old have a room sharing thing going on. Funky wooden bunks and bucket fulls of Lego rule their space. And then there's me snow white and the 5 dwarfs. I did give birth to 4 of them and married the other one! But in all seriousness what a day! Sickness ruled my day, brain fog, pain everywhere and one very long sleep this afternoon. So Sunday was a not good day for wellness and sleep was my only reprieve from the pain. So back to my friend of sleep I go! I listen delta wave meditation music to get good sleep every new night.
Here's the link to the you tube clip I listen to every night. Give it try!
Helpful Links
http://www.paintoolkit.org/downloads/SC_TK_NZ.pdf
http://www.3news.co.nz/Hard-to-diagnose-CRPS-is-a-real-pain/tabid/1771/articleID/323115/Default.aspx#.UpYoL-L91Rc
http://www.3news.co.nz/CRPS-Pain-so-bad-you-cant-move/tabid/367/articleID/166165/Default.aspx
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8725305/Pain-victim-finds-shes-not-alone
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8725305/Pain-victim-finds-shes-not-alone
http://www.3news.co.nz/Hard-to-diagnose-CRPS-is-a-real-pain/tabid/1771/articleID/323115/Default.aspx#.UpYoL-L91Rc
http://www.3news.co.nz/CRPS-Pain-so-bad-you-cant-move/tabid/367/articleID/166165/Default.aspx
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8725305/Pain-victim-finds-shes-not-alone
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8725305/Pain-victim-finds-shes-not-alone
10 Tips for dealing with ACC
A while back I was asked to create a resource for claimants to help with the many hurdles faced when dealing with the ever changing ACC system:
Please read and feel free to share
1. Own your rehabilitation ensure that proactively you undertake all things offered to you as
this shows ACC your doing your best to meet your obligations and it actually empowers
you to your journey to recovery
2. Meet with your case manager in person this allows you to build a 'working together'
rapport and can be a successful key to a successful outcome.
3. Where possible take a support person with you to any ACC appointments including
assessments having another set of eyes and ears can truly make the world of
difference in both understanding areas or just simply being able to reflect with after your
appointment.
4. Everything in writing this method of communication is going to serve you well as it
creates a brilliant method of a 'paper trail ' along with that documenting all communication
can reduce misleading information and create a good platform to reference back to if
needed. Ever had a phone conversation and followed up at a later time with receiver and
had them not have any recollection of what was agreed upon? ensure that email and
written correspondence is your only form of communication with ACC, ensure you have
noted down in your IRP (individual rehabilitation place) this is your only contact method.
Sign a ACC email form and ensure to update your information if this changes to ensure
smooth communication.
5. Your IRP (individual rehabilitation plan) is the most important document/plan you will be
signing with ACC self management and owning your rehabilitation is key in this area.
NEVER just sign it and return it without you're medical teams input. Your GP is your
gatekeeper to a successful rehabilitation. Ensure they outline clearly what is to be put
forward in your recovery. Any specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists,
psychologists need to outline in this plan what is required with a measurable time frame.
ACC need to outline any assessments in this plan with the reason for this and have your
medical team comment. Remember this is your rehabilitation ensure you own it.
6. Meeting overviews take notes in any ACC appointments or assessments, then follow up
with the key points summarizing what topics were covered and in writing (email) ask your
case manger or assessor to comment and invite them to confirm these points covered. It
creates many areas which includes a reference of the meeting and an opportunity for
both parties to reflect and make changes if needed.
7. Your ACC file that's right its YOURS. Under the official information act you have the right
to a copy of this file which holds every entry ACC make on your claim in their system.
ACC have 20 working days to provide you with a copy of this after you request this in
writing. Review this file periodically as it gives you insight to your claim management
processes along with a window to ensure the information ACC hold is correct.
8. Remember ACC is a government department which is bound by legislation do your best
to view ACC processes and decisions OBJECTIVELY .If there is something you feel is
not correct or your having a problem be ok with obtaining your case managers team
leader, email them in the first instance to outline your concerns, invite to meet with them
both at the branch ( bring a support person, take notes etc) follow up with your concerns.
If you need further assistance go through ACC complaints department. They are an
independent body who look at the concerns and notify the branch manager which gives you a higher level point of view. Independent advocates can also work great when areas
become escalated.
9. Work with your place of work to have a return to employment plan during your
rehabilitation. ACC is a costly business and injured employees cost ACC money ACC
fundamental goal is return you to work as soon as practicable. Ensure that your medical
team collaborate well with the correct outlook to achieve this goal. Ensure that your given
the right support in the safest return to work manner. Always ensure that you express the
goal of return to employment to ACC as unfortunately to often claimants are stigmatized
to "choosing" to be on ACC especially chronic pain claimants.
10. Keep your STRESS levels at a low when dealing with ACC. Its a challenge to be in a
system you had no choice in needing to be, but remember NZ is a unique country who
has this "no fault" accident compensation system so while you're having to utilize it
always try to look at things without "emotional" based views and just look at the practical
sense this system is set up for. PAIN is real unless the person holds a medical degree
don't discuss the outcomes etc with administrators of claims, ask for (in writing) the
branch medical adviser to make comment or the specialist not your ACC case manager.
Please read and feel free to share
1. Own your rehabilitation ensure that proactively you undertake all things offered to you as
this shows ACC your doing your best to meet your obligations and it actually empowers
you to your journey to recovery
2. Meet with your case manager in person this allows you to build a 'working together'
rapport and can be a successful key to a successful outcome.
3. Where possible take a support person with you to any ACC appointments including
assessments having another set of eyes and ears can truly make the world of
difference in both understanding areas or just simply being able to reflect with after your
appointment.
4. Everything in writing this method of communication is going to serve you well as it
creates a brilliant method of a 'paper trail ' along with that documenting all communication
can reduce misleading information and create a good platform to reference back to if
needed. Ever had a phone conversation and followed up at a later time with receiver and
had them not have any recollection of what was agreed upon? ensure that email and
written correspondence is your only form of communication with ACC, ensure you have
noted down in your IRP (individual rehabilitation place) this is your only contact method.
Sign a ACC email form and ensure to update your information if this changes to ensure
smooth communication.
5. Your IRP (individual rehabilitation plan) is the most important document/plan you will be
signing with ACC self management and owning your rehabilitation is key in this area.
NEVER just sign it and return it without you're medical teams input. Your GP is your
gatekeeper to a successful rehabilitation. Ensure they outline clearly what is to be put
forward in your recovery. Any specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists,
psychologists need to outline in this plan what is required with a measurable time frame.
ACC need to outline any assessments in this plan with the reason for this and have your
medical team comment. Remember this is your rehabilitation ensure you own it.
6. Meeting overviews take notes in any ACC appointments or assessments, then follow up
with the key points summarizing what topics were covered and in writing (email) ask your
case manger or assessor to comment and invite them to confirm these points covered. It
creates many areas which includes a reference of the meeting and an opportunity for
both parties to reflect and make changes if needed.
7. Your ACC file that's right its YOURS. Under the official information act you have the right
to a copy of this file which holds every entry ACC make on your claim in their system.
ACC have 20 working days to provide you with a copy of this after you request this in
writing. Review this file periodically as it gives you insight to your claim management
processes along with a window to ensure the information ACC hold is correct.
8. Remember ACC is a government department which is bound by legislation do your best
to view ACC processes and decisions OBJECTIVELY .If there is something you feel is
not correct or your having a problem be ok with obtaining your case managers team
leader, email them in the first instance to outline your concerns, invite to meet with them
both at the branch ( bring a support person, take notes etc) follow up with your concerns.
If you need further assistance go through ACC complaints department. They are an
independent body who look at the concerns and notify the branch manager which gives you a higher level point of view. Independent advocates can also work great when areas
become escalated.
9. Work with your place of work to have a return to employment plan during your
rehabilitation. ACC is a costly business and injured employees cost ACC money ACC
fundamental goal is return you to work as soon as practicable. Ensure that your medical
team collaborate well with the correct outlook to achieve this goal. Ensure that your given
the right support in the safest return to work manner. Always ensure that you express the
goal of return to employment to ACC as unfortunately to often claimants are stigmatized
to "choosing" to be on ACC especially chronic pain claimants.
10. Keep your STRESS levels at a low when dealing with ACC. Its a challenge to be in a
system you had no choice in needing to be, but remember NZ is a unique country who
has this "no fault" accident compensation system so while you're having to utilize it
always try to look at things without "emotional" based views and just look at the practical
sense this system is set up for. PAIN is real unless the person holds a medical degree
don't discuss the outcomes etc with administrators of claims, ask for (in writing) the
branch medical adviser to make comment or the specialist not your ACC case manager.
Where to from here
This morning my husband and I had some honest conversations about what to do with this platform that has been created.
My story.
This unfortunately might be just like your story.
In 2014 in New Zealand Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is still so unexplained, unexplored, anonymous, un-heard of?
Why don't more GP's know about this?
Where is our Foundation?
I hear great things about so many charities, foundations, societies, ribbon days etc - But where is ours?
Who is there when NO one else gets it?
How many people have to go through whirl winds of unknown systems, resources not being made available easily?
So where to from here........
Watch This Space :)
My story.
This unfortunately might be just like your story.
In 2014 in New Zealand Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is still so unexplained, unexplored, anonymous, un-heard of?
Why don't more GP's know about this?
Where is our Foundation?
I hear great things about so many charities, foundations, societies, ribbon days etc - But where is ours?
Who is there when NO one else gets it?
How many people have to go through whirl winds of unknown systems, resources not being made available easily?
So where to from here........
Watch This Space :)
Finding someone just like you
No one ever wants to be the smelly kid at school, or be the last kid picked for a game, Complex regional pain syndrome can make you feel just like that!
It can make you feel alone in a room full of people, it makes you feel horrible most of the time, people eventually quit asking you to things or places cause you have that 'thing' with your hand and um oh well not that many people turned up anyway....
I got kicked out of 'support groups' online ones. I'm too honest apparently.
Apparently my tone offended some people and they didn't like how I said stuff. I asked questions like what kind of treatment plans had people tried only to at times get competition of who is the sickest and who hurts the most!
So even in the sick club, I was the smelly kid, I was last to be picked and no one liked my positive quotes to brighten the day.
On Tuesday I am meeting up with a fellow survivor of this dreaded syndrome - like me she injured her hand and she inspires me already with her get on with it attitude!
It can make you feel alone in a room full of people, it makes you feel horrible most of the time, people eventually quit asking you to things or places cause you have that 'thing' with your hand and um oh well not that many people turned up anyway....
I got kicked out of 'support groups' online ones. I'm too honest apparently.
Apparently my tone offended some people and they didn't like how I said stuff. I asked questions like what kind of treatment plans had people tried only to at times get competition of who is the sickest and who hurts the most!
So even in the sick club, I was the smelly kid, I was last to be picked and no one liked my positive quotes to brighten the day.
On Tuesday I am meeting up with a fellow survivor of this dreaded syndrome - like me she injured her hand and she inspires me already with her get on with it attitude!
Friday 8 August 2014
Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow
 |
| Bruising on my tummy |
 |
| Feet on fire |
Because my syndrome is centralised I have random parts of my body do random things.
I can't wear socks, Jandals are it!
 |
| Crazy Sexy Swelling |
 |
| Full blown flare eyes burning |
Looking Back To Move Forward
This journey started because I injured myself, like all good stories you need to go back to where it all started. I have never been on an interesting road trip that was straight roads, straight roads are the ones you find yourself thinking are we there yet? How much longer?
Its the twists and the turns, the teeth gripping gorges and beautiful views which take you to the most amazing places. Have I been to some amazing places! And some pretty dark long tunnels too, some of which I thought I might not see that flicker of light at the end.
Waikato hospital, became a very familiar place to have coffee. In the mist of all its renovations of 2008, the don't walk here, follow this "new" corridor that probably won't be here next week notion of appointments my mind use to think wow at least I don't have a terminal illness, and OMG I must be almost better to get back to work soon!
Work...Soon
So I had started a new job, a new contract in fact on pretty good dollars for a 26 year old. (Hey I put in the hard yards to get here!) another story...So ready to go back to work, I tried - eight stitches in my left hand, heavy bandage from surgery I attended a meeting, wrote notes with my right hand and "pretended" that the wide eyed stares and whispers of "is she ok" and ummm should she be here!; didn't matter.
Because they didn't at the time! I had a job to do and I was going to do it!
but I couldn't.. and I got the dreaded phone call from my new manager, "Hey look we think your great but ummm talking with HR, ACC and your latest medical certificate, your really not well enough to be here like this" Since I was like a contractor their wasn't much I could do about this.bye bye job.
Work ceased, I paid a lawyer $600 to look into my contract to see if there had been any breaches, we found a few - threw my hands up in the air and was like well I probably need to go away and get better.
ACC....is not an easy system to deal with, be around, talk too, communicate with or even be in.
We will learn more about that in time.
welcome to my new reality...I was unemployed, in pain, and didn't even know what to wear!
My reality before was up at 5am, and hour getting myself sorted, housework, lunches, 3 kids to school and daycare, leave Hamilton by 8am to be at whatever 9am meeting, coffee ooooooh how I loved my coffee!
Purpose! I had a project to do, places to be and people to see.
Identity! I identified with this person, I fitted in to society, I wore nice clothes, I cared about my appearance and I did it while being the girl who was once a high school drop out, who had the baby at 17 but proved to the world I can do it!
But what happens when you can't do it...what happens when your brains signals your hand to move to and function and it doesn't happen, what happens when you can't even change your babies nappy, pick him up to cuddle, or put him in his car seat.
What happens when the mum that worked now has appointments to attend, Doctors writing stuff down with concerned looks, the questions, the medical terms, the future, my life, it all just became a big whirl wind of MESS!
You stop... and Depression kicks in like a big black cloud that won't leave.
Its the twists and the turns, the teeth gripping gorges and beautiful views which take you to the most amazing places. Have I been to some amazing places! And some pretty dark long tunnels too, some of which I thought I might not see that flicker of light at the end.
Waikato hospital, became a very familiar place to have coffee. In the mist of all its renovations of 2008, the don't walk here, follow this "new" corridor that probably won't be here next week notion of appointments my mind use to think wow at least I don't have a terminal illness, and OMG I must be almost better to get back to work soon!
Work...Soon
So I had started a new job, a new contract in fact on pretty good dollars for a 26 year old. (Hey I put in the hard yards to get here!) another story...So ready to go back to work, I tried - eight stitches in my left hand, heavy bandage from surgery I attended a meeting, wrote notes with my right hand and "pretended" that the wide eyed stares and whispers of "is she ok" and ummm should she be here!; didn't matter.
Because they didn't at the time! I had a job to do and I was going to do it!
but I couldn't.. and I got the dreaded phone call from my new manager, "Hey look we think your great but ummm talking with HR, ACC and your latest medical certificate, your really not well enough to be here like this" Since I was like a contractor their wasn't much I could do about this.bye bye job.
Work ceased, I paid a lawyer $600 to look into my contract to see if there had been any breaches, we found a few - threw my hands up in the air and was like well I probably need to go away and get better.
ACC....is not an easy system to deal with, be around, talk too, communicate with or even be in.
We will learn more about that in time.
welcome to my new reality...I was unemployed, in pain, and didn't even know what to wear!
My reality before was up at 5am, and hour getting myself sorted, housework, lunches, 3 kids to school and daycare, leave Hamilton by 8am to be at whatever 9am meeting, coffee ooooooh how I loved my coffee!
Purpose! I had a project to do, places to be and people to see.
Identity! I identified with this person, I fitted in to society, I wore nice clothes, I cared about my appearance and I did it while being the girl who was once a high school drop out, who had the baby at 17 but proved to the world I can do it!
But what happens when you can't do it...what happens when your brains signals your hand to move to and function and it doesn't happen, what happens when you can't even change your babies nappy, pick him up to cuddle, or put him in his car seat.
What happens when the mum that worked now has appointments to attend, Doctors writing stuff down with concerned looks, the questions, the medical terms, the future, my life, it all just became a big whirl wind of MESS!
You stop... and Depression kicks in like a big black cloud that won't leave.
Feeling the Love
This blog was started because I wrote my story about living a life with a chronic illness which got published - I never expected it to get such a huge response.
People have opened up and shared some of their experiences to me via inbox of my facebook page.
I am going to share some of their stuff without their names to show the impact of baring it all can have on the human spirit.
I feel privileged.
I also feel empathy for each and everyone of them who had the courage to share parts of their experiences:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/assignments/living-with-an-invisible-illness/10358601/Permanent-pain-instead-of-a-pay-rise
Hey Sal, great article on stuff. Really well written. Go you.
wow!!!teary eyes and shivers reading ur story!! had no idea things could be that bad for u u pull off" Im a great healthy women and everything is great" so well:) sooo proud u wroye that to share and WHENEVR U NEED ANYTHING!!!HELP WITH ANYTHING OR ANYONE
Hey Sally, I read the article on Stuff regarding CRPS and I see you are from Hamilton. I also have CRPS, have done for almost 5 years... I'm 28 and have a 5 year old son. I struggle finding people who can relate or understand - not even my husband gets it Anyway, just wondering if you would be keen on a catch up/coffee sometime - would be really neat to get to know someone else in my situation. Gentle hugs to you, and good on you for putting your story out there. Blessings
Congratulations sally for having your life with crps published. It was just like reading about my life and how it changed so dramatically where others have done something similar and a couple of months later they are back doing their thing again as they were before they get their accident. I think you know what I mean. Once again congratulations for putting yourself out there so others can learn that this syndrome is real and not us coping out as we are so often told that we are doing. You rock
Hi to the both of you!! I also suffer from crps. It started when I fell over some gumboots, down the stairs and sprained my ankle. 18 months later, still not able to drive or work. 2-3 hours sleep every night for last 18 months. Its exhausting.
I believe everyone who reads it will open their minds hun, it is such a beautifully honest piece of yourself to share. Xxxxx
That is an amazing story !!! Well done
Well done! Says a lot about the strong capable person you are. Stay that way x
Proud of you for this!!
great read sally, good on you for sharing xxooxx
Wow that was really awesome the way you told your story :0) well done
wow very moving. Thanks for sharing
Good on you Sally.you are awesome.
Hi there Sally . My name is Dion Taka I too suffer CRPS.
I was seriously wounded in Afghanistan two years ago .
While in the Spinal Unit in Burwood hospital , I met one Dr Rick Ackland . He offered a Procedure to me . A spinal cord stimulator implant . This now covers around 80% of my pain . I suffered all the symptoms you do . After reading your story , I felt compelled to make contact
People have opened up and shared some of their experiences to me via inbox of my facebook page.
I am going to share some of their stuff without their names to show the impact of baring it all can have on the human spirit.
I feel privileged.
I also feel empathy for each and everyone of them who had the courage to share parts of their experiences:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/assignments/living-with-an-invisible-illness/10358601/Permanent-pain-instead-of-a-pay-rise
Hey Sal, great article on stuff. Really well written. Go you.
wow!!!teary eyes and shivers reading ur story!! had no idea things could be that bad for u u pull off" Im a great healthy women and everything is great" so well:) sooo proud u wroye that to share and WHENEVR U NEED ANYTHING!!!HELP WITH ANYTHING OR ANYONE
Hey Sally, I read the article on Stuff regarding CRPS and I see you are from Hamilton. I also have CRPS, have done for almost 5 years... I'm 28 and have a 5 year old son. I struggle finding people who can relate or understand - not even my husband gets it Anyway, just wondering if you would be keen on a catch up/coffee sometime - would be really neat to get to know someone else in my situation. Gentle hugs to you, and good on you for putting your story out there. Blessings
Congratulations sally for having your life with crps published. It was just like reading about my life and how it changed so dramatically where others have done something similar and a couple of months later they are back doing their thing again as they were before they get their accident. I think you know what I mean. Once again congratulations for putting yourself out there so others can learn that this syndrome is real and not us coping out as we are so often told that we are doing. You rock
Hi to the both of you!! I also suffer from crps. It started when I fell over some gumboots, down the stairs and sprained my ankle. 18 months later, still not able to drive or work. 2-3 hours sleep every night for last 18 months. Its exhausting.
I believe everyone who reads it will open their minds hun, it is such a beautifully honest piece of yourself to share. Xxxxx
That is an amazing story !!! Well done
Well done! Says a lot about the strong capable person you are. Stay that way x
Proud of you for this!!
great read sally, good on you for sharing xxooxx
Wow that was really awesome the way you told your story :0) well done
wow very moving. Thanks for sharing
Good on you Sally.you are awesome.
Hi there Sally . My name is Dion Taka I too suffer CRPS.
I was seriously wounded in Afghanistan two years ago .
While in the Spinal Unit in Burwood hospital , I met one Dr Rick Ackland . He offered a Procedure to me . A spinal cord stimulator implant . This now covers around 80% of my pain . I suffered all the symptoms you do . After reading your story , I felt compelled to make contact
Thursday 7 August 2014
People want to read about my crazy life
Wow! I bared it all and WOW! People want to read about my crazy life --- So why not start documenting this stuff, maybe just maybe I could help someone else who is going through this journey of pain too.
I note how many people naturally want to share and help with experiences of treatment - People who don't know me and who have just read about me have taken the time to share with me some of their own helpful stuff! How cool is that! my facebook page has loads of people buzzing and sharing my crazy story!
Its humbling.
Its also sad.
Bitter sweet sadness because this isn't just a story, this is my life.
In about 2 hours time I would have picked up my kids from school, my husband will come home from work, and life will go on in our very conservative calm and quiet world - well quite LOUD really, (4 boys)
Ok so lets look at this vibe this story has created -
I want to hear from you all HERE!
Can you guys all be like my virtual visitors? We could do like coffee and cake catch ups HERE!
I want to actually contribute to society somehow with sharing information etc, I want to create a pool of peeps who like me still have to keep on keeping on even when you really want to go back to bed BUT can't!
Thank you for reading my story :) Be part of the rest of it too!
Salz x
I note how many people naturally want to share and help with experiences of treatment - People who don't know me and who have just read about me have taken the time to share with me some of their own helpful stuff! How cool is that! my facebook page has loads of people buzzing and sharing my crazy story!
Its humbling.
Its also sad.
Bitter sweet sadness because this isn't just a story, this is my life.
In about 2 hours time I would have picked up my kids from school, my husband will come home from work, and life will go on in our very conservative calm and quiet world - well quite LOUD really, (4 boys)
Ok so lets look at this vibe this story has created -
I want to hear from you all HERE!
Can you guys all be like my virtual visitors? We could do like coffee and cake catch ups HERE!
I want to actually contribute to society somehow with sharing information etc, I want to create a pool of peeps who like me still have to keep on keeping on even when you really want to go back to bed BUT can't!
Thank you for reading my story :) Be part of the rest of it too!
Salz x
How I got complex regional pain syndrome
November 15, 2008 was an interesting afternoon. The boys were outside playing in the sunshine, the 10-month-old was being pushed in the swing by my husband, and I was about to change life as I knew it forever simply by preparing an avocado for fresh guacamole.
The pain didn't happen right away, neither did the bleeding, but it was deep, real deep, and the knife came out bent at the tip.
I looked down at the palm of my left hand in dismay and thought 'I'm going to need stitches'. Calmly, oh so calmly, I walked up to my husband and said: ''Ummmm, I think I need to get this checked out''.
How did I go from working full time, being a supermum, having all these goals and ambitions within my corporate career to filling out an ACC medical certificate and being told ''well, after the surgery you should regain the use of your hand and that deep, cold, burning, pain plus numbness in your fingers will in time go". WHAT THE?
I was making dip, now I'm here, doing this! People like me don't do this. I don't have time for this. I have a huge project at work, I have stuff to get sorted, I just stabbed my hand. Stitch it, send me home!
Reality bites. In fact it slapped me in the face in the form of a chronic illness; a syndrome to be precise.
After six weeks of hand therapy, follow-up checks, more doctors tapping my hand with a pen, paper clip, etc - to see if I could feel this or get pain from that, I got a diagnosis. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). I'd never heard of that in my life.
(CRPS) is a chronic pain condition most often affecting one of the limbs (arms, legs, hands or feet), usually after an injury or trauma to that limb.
It is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system involves nerve signalling from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
CRPS is characterised by prolonged or excessive pain and mild or dramatic changes in skin colour, temperature, and/or swelling in the affected area. One knife stab to my palm got me that.
I can't accept this diagnosis. What do you mean there is no cure? This is not in the plan of things. Injury/illness doesn't happen to me. Not at 26 years old. Not after I have worked so darn hard at just being employed.
But it did and I'm here, and I hate it.
Twenty-six years old, three children, a husband, a nice collection of qualifications and after working three years in a corporate job, three weeks after landing an awesome gig in a records management role paying a nice salary, this happens. Why?
I have three accepted claims with ACC - complex regional pain syndrome, central pain syndrome and major depressive disorder with adjustment disorder (even has a spectrum number).Almost six years on I don't know the answer to that question.
I am in pain 24/7. For example, my brain thinks cold air is dangerous and burning deep cold pain starts in my left hand/arm, then spreads to the left side of my face where I get what feels like a vice-crushing-my-skull head pain.
Then the burning in the eyes starts, the pain that gravitates down my chest, sides and backs of my legs then gravitates down to my feet. The pain makes my right foot want to twist in like a baby's foot does, my left arm/hand wants to curl like a chicken wing and curls when I sleep.
At times the pain is so bad I slur my words. I lose my train of thought - remembering numbers, names, places is blank these days.
I had bladder problems for a while. I broke my right leg because I lost the feeling in my feet and didn't realise. I suffer from tendonitis in the right foot and at times it swells full of fluid.
Fabrics make my body go insane. I get muscle spasms everywhere, I can't wear my wedding rings, my skin is thinner in places, I react to IV needles, I gained 30kgs from both medication and depression. I take three times as long to heal, my hair is brittle, and at times it feels like bugs are running all over me.
Relationships with family are not the same. Friends are like, 'wooooo, what happened to Sally? She stabbed her hand almost six years ago and now she's fat'.
We had another baby because in our vast research on how to maybe cure CRPS, pregnancy was a way of shutting off this disease temporarily. Yay, a pain holiday. Not for me.
I got pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and almost died from bleeding too much and my heart trying to stop.
However, we got the most beautiful little gift and a great distraction he is from this world of pain. He is 11 months old and a delight.
How do I manage this illness? With a sense of reality I guess. Live each day as it comes. Live for the now.
Future? What future? My future is no more promised to me than yours so embrace every second!
I get depressed heaps, I get sad, and I grieve for me. But I also love, care and embrace all the people around me.
If life was over tomorrow, I would be proud of my life. I succeeded.
If life was over tomorrow, I would be proud of my life. I succeeded.
I loved, I lost, I got drunk, did some stupid stuff, I had four beautiful boys, I got married, I got educated, I bought a house. I have been skinny, I have been fat, I have danced in the rain, I have driven too fast in life, and now I have slowed right down.
I am alive; a privilege denied to many - and I still like avocados.
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