Stress

The world is spinning and time is moving so fast. Grad school always seems to put me in some sort of time warp as I rush from place to place with my planner, laptop, and text books, and pain. Distractions = good. Flare ups = bad. I'm in a burning flare at the moment, but I assume it is from stress (going through a stressful situation with school right now... will update later).

In the meantime, how gorgeous are these two blazers my dad bought me!?!?! Thanks, dad!!!!! They are on their way to my house as I type, and I cannot wait to wear them as "fashionable social worker."

Success!

Today, I ran my first "Wellness" therapy group, and it was a major hit! One of the harshest critics and toughest to please of the clients exclaimed with glee, "You're not boring! This was actually interesting!" Woohoo! I focused on "food and mood," highlighting how certain foods dictate serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and endorphin levels... remember, I'm working with the mentally ill and chemically addicted. At first, it seemed like abstract ideas to them, until, I explained what food has done for me and my illness. They were sold.

Tomorrow is my "off day," but I will spend it at the dermatologist (this immune suppressant is causing my otherwise perfect skin to freak!), with the baby and Pat, doing work, and getting a massage in the evening.

In the meantime, enjoy some cute pics!

Happy Healing!

Moving Beyond RSD

It's only been a week, and grad school has eaten me alive already!!!! ...but, I'm at my best when I am loaded with responsibilities, especially ones that don't include RSD. Despite how difficult it is to live a normal life with this illness, I highly suggest anyone with RSD work toward some goals and form of normalcy, filling his/her time with aspects of life that do not include talking/thinking about RSD, going to doctor appointments, researching treatments, speaking with others who have the illness, amongst other all encompassing activities. While it isn't necessary to take on the task of obtaining a masters degree like myself, volunteering for a few hours a week, working part time, taking a class or two at a local college are all great ways to move beyond the world of illness and move ourselves outside of the sick/patient role. Distractions are key, and I believe it is one of the ways in which I have maintained a high level of mobility and functioning despite a disabling condition. I feel my best when I am giving back.

My field placement is wonderful, and I really enjoy the setting, people, and minimal walking. The days are long and filled with a lot of responsibilities, and it can be difficult to make it to the end of the day, especially on so many medications. I find myself drinking some coffee and continuing to push forward like I always do... So far, so good!

Love Is All That Matters After All

Here I am sitting on campus after six hours of grad classes munching on a HUGE (seriously, it is gigantic!) salad contemplating the day and my future, wondering how it will all turn out. With this disease, exciting milestones, like the start of my second year in grad school and my field placement, create a lot of anxiety, questions, and sometimes, fear, because the natural response is to start projecting into the future... "Can I finish what I've started? What happens if I get worse? My concentration sucks thanks to fentanyl, am I cut out for this? Can I REALLY do this?" The answer to all of these burning questions is, "Shut up, Maria. Relax, enjoy the moment, which consists of this awesome salad of generous proportions and the completion of your first day of classes." Go me! for even making it this far with a frightening, painful, progressive, and unpredictable illness. This is a time for me to use those awesome coping skills I learned in a year+ of mental health therapy and focus on my strengths instead of my weaknesses, and often, that consists of my past accomplishments proving to myself that I have never failed at anything (in fact, I have only excelled!). My schedule this semester will help me create the balance that I lacked last year, perhaps, adding to the progression of my illness last semester. Physical, mental, and emotional stress will be reduced, and I can focus on my school work and my clients instead of merely surviving the day. Awesome!

If you ask me, the best part about this semester is my gorgeous man picks me up on Thursdays, and we take the 45 minute ride to school together. Shhhh, don't tell I told you, but he even walked 15 minutes from his building during a short break inbetween his classes, picked me up from my class and walked me over to grab this delicious salad, only to rush back to the same building he came from for his next class. How sweet is that?! Those little gestures melt my heart and are worth more to me than the most precious diamonds in this world... they are the true gifts.

Say a little prayer for me! I start my field placement tomorrow at 8am.

Many blessings and happy healing!!!!