The New and the Old

This was posted a bit early so I could submit it to the Chronic Babe blog carnival, enjoy!

It is almost that time of year again; the time of year where people are looking forward to the new year and reflecting on the old one.  I have an even greater reason to do this.  December 31, 2008 was the day my surgery on my left arm that caused the start of my CRPS.  I was mostly drugged up and my arm was still numb from the regional anesthetic for that evening (I joke this is the only time I’ll ever be high on New Year’s), so I consider January 1, 2009 as my “CRPS anniversary.”

Three years.  Over the past years, I’ve survived ganglion blocks, epidurals, trigger point injections, medications, pain rehabilitation, hospitalizations, and countless doctors, nurses, x-ray techs, and other medical professionals.  Each procedure was an opportunity to learn new things.  I’ve learned so much through these experiences.

Looking back, I can’t believe I’ve come so far, and yet as I look ahead, I see so many more things that I have yet to face.  More appointments, diagnoses, developing symptoms all face me as I deal with my day to day life.  But I refuse to give in and let them take over my life.  I’m me first, being someone with chronic illness is just a small part of who I am, though I must admit, it has contributed to other areas more than I could have imagined.

So the blog has a new look, I’ve decided to change the title to Chronic Phoenix as my pain is not just limited to the CRPS anymore.  I’ll explain more of the problems I’m dealing with some other time, for now, just know that the title represents my desire to be positive and rise above the problems I face when the “fires” of chronic illness sweep through my life.

Today, I’m going to do what people all over are doing in celebration of the new year, make a resolution.  My resolution is to encourage others who struggle with pain and to maintain a positive attitude about the struggles I face.  For the next year, as I continue in my neuroscience program, I hope to continue my research about CRPS and to continue to provide information and support to others on my web site and my new Facebook page for people looking for a positive, encouraging look at life (click on the link to the right).  My final resolution is to get this blog back up and running and talk more about my day to day life with chronic illness in hopes to educate and encourage!

I’d love to hear if there are specific things you’d like to hear about, if you want to know something, please leave a comment!