I have had a great deal of difficulty acknowledging when my pain syndrome began, due to many events leading up to it climaxed in 2006. I suppose I would have to point to 1987, when I was struck by a drunk driver traveling over 100 mph. I was crushed inside my car and had to be extracated by the fire department, thank god 2 off duty police officers were at the same stop light my attacker ran, they were able to have assistance on scene in minutes. My little brother was with me at the time and suffered a broken ankle, because he was in my car and pulled my body out of the way of the door caving in, I survived. I came out of the crash with a broken spine, dislocated shoulder, broken clavical (collar bone), damaged neck ligaments and numerous deep lacerations from the shattered window and the metal caving in over my head and neck.
I was lucky that I found an excellent surgeon, who repaired my spine. I was delighted after I healed and learned to walk again. I had beat the damage and was near normal. I wore high heals, I went dancing, I rode my horse several times a week. I was fine.
Then in late 1990, I was struck with cancer. Cancer caused additional damage to my already stessed bone structure. Again, I was very lucky to find wonderful surgeons and physicians to treat the rampaging cancer and I overcame. I felt thankful and blessed to have come through these trials and rebounded to virtually where I started. I foolishly believed I had overcame these health trials and would live out my life normally into late age as my forefathers had.
I spent the next 10 years doing great provided I did not strain my back with lifting or over exersion during exercise. I danced, climbed rocks, swam, horseback rode, basically lived life normally. I excelled in my profession. Life was very good. In mid 1999, I fell on a flight of stairs and injured my left knee. After several surgeons, it was determined that I had damaged the bone in the joint, as well as having torn the ligaments and miniscus. In 2000, I moved to Oregon and in December 2000, I had surgery performed on the knee. I found, however, that the knee was continuing to give me a great deal of trouble. It hurt constantly, refused to support me and burned with pain.
In early 2001, it was determined that I had RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) in the knee joint. I again had found a wonderful doctor, who referred me to an anesthesiologist that treated me with blocks performed in my spine under general anesthesia. My future husband (at that time) was very concerned with my continued difficulties with my arms and hands. I talked with my doctor in late 2002 due to my left arm pain levels. By this time I was suffering with extreme back, neck and arm pain, with severe weakness in my left arm.
and I ended up with my Pugoodle. Right now, he's still learning his obediance and social skills, it's been a slower than normal process with my being disabled and I'm sure you know how I we can have troubles with keeping any type of schedule. If I could get my pain more consistently controlled, I'd sign us up for a class and If I had some $$ (Unable to work) I send him to a trainer for a month or so. But He's a really neat dog and defineately One of A Kind! LOL My husband & I just love him, he's a great dog. Both his parents are part of our pack here at home. He's a really happy, but odd looking fella.
I would of though a pain pump would be simple?? Not so! HHHMMMMMM. I hope your able to get it taken care of, so you don't have to worry for a month or how ever long it is?
Vickie
It certainly sounds like you've really been through it all. You must be an amazing woman to of survived all that you've been through.
I think most everyone here thats been forced into the disability process has gone through your same feelings. I'm in the waiting period for my hearing right now too.
I sincerely hope that you will join in with us where every you feel comfortable. Thank you for sharing your story with us, it's helps us to know what's gone on with your life and how you became a chronic pain patient.
Welcome to the Chronic Pain Connection and I hope we can be of some support for you too.
Take Care, it's a plesure to meet you!
Betty
Hi Betty:
Thank you so much for your comment. I suppose part of my difficulty is I was raised believing that I must stand on my own two feet no matter what. My husband has been a great help in dispelling that belief to some degree. I must admit that there are days that I simply feel that it's all been just too much to deal with, but I always seem to pull myself up by the boot straps and sally forth so to speak.
The disability process is very discouraging in my opinion. I have been advised by attorney friends that I was a fast case and reached the end decision quickly, yet it certainly did not feel that way with all we lost in the process. I applied, was denied, applied for a reconsideration with yet again all my medical support and then I received it. That simple two step process took almost a year. We just were not prepared for that type of disaster at my age.
I do have some light at the end of the tunnel. I have a great pain specialist that has implanted an interthecal pain pump, which basically is implanted in my side and has a tube that runs around my body and into my spinal cord. It delivers pain meds constantly into my spinal cord. Yesterday was the first time since its implantation that the delivery rate of medication was raised and I actually felt some relief. I am hopeful it will control the chronic pain to some degree.
Although I will never be able to perform my usual pasttimes or go back to work, I should be able to live day to day without being in screaming pain. Yeah for the good doctors.
It's a pleasure to meet you. Take care.
Vickie