With the help of Grant from St. Judes, and the programs he has set for Stella and Stanley it seems that they work together.  I have played with different combinations of programs and have found that certain combinations work better than others, again all good.  So am I pain free… no and probably never will be, but it is so much better than before.  I am able to do more but still pace myself; otherwise I overdue and pay greatly.  Being involved in other things takes your mind off of yourself and you get a feeling of accomplishment. As my husband, a psychologist, says, positive distraction is one the minds most valuable defenses against pain and stress.  It doesn’t go away but it’s not number one on your mind.  

So, as I move into 2012, with the help of my Doctor and his continued research and finding new things to try, I am able to go to the grocery store, walk a half mile and even enjoy going out to dinner. My goal for this next year is to be able to walk more, lose some weight that I have put on over the last, almost 6 years, and be more involved in things that I have had to give up due to the RSD/CRPS and the restrictions that imposes. To put some pressure on myself, I will be reporting my progress in my blogs.

I challenge you to do one thing that you had to give up when you became incapacitated.  I know I will. 

Happy New Year!