I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 33 years.  We are emptynesters...our daughter is 31 years old.  I am a registered nurse but haven't worked for the past 12 years due to my condition.  I used to love to ride my bike and hike and shop for hours.  I loved to cook and entertain.  I was the one who organized and held all the holidays, family birthday and anniversary celebrations at my home when I was pain free.  I would work my 40 hours and then do overtime just because I loved nursing so much.  It was more of a hobby to me than a career.  I was a psychiatric nurse.  Since my injury, I don't have the ability to do anything repetitively for any length of time.  I cannot use my right arm without causing pain, however, I know I must "use it or lose it".  Each day I am working on discovering a new life for myself.  One day at a time is my motto.  There are many days I don't leave my house. I just don't have the energy because pain zaps it from me. But each day, I try to do something that I can look back at and be proud of. I cannot give in to the pain. My husband has been wonderful. Many times he will say to me that we are going out even if it is just for a ride in the car. It lifts my spirits. This illness took my career from me for the time being, but I refuse to give up.  I will  go back to work one day!!  So I need to stay as active as possible and  be with other people who understand (pain support groups).   Who knows, maybe someone will have something to share that will be the answer to my recovery.   

The thing I miss most is the comaradarie at work. Not having that, and the feeling of helping others in the field of nursing has left a void that I still haven't been able to fill. I continue to keep my nursing license current in hopes that someday there will be a cure for this disease and I can return to work in some capacity.