http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coR3JtCeBqk
I hope you took the time to watch that. I’m sure most of you didn’t.
Sometimes I feel like my disease leaves me with only half of my former self. Only half of what I used to be able to do. Half of the mom I should be, the wife I should be, the friend I should be,even half of the human I should be. Then I read a post from a fellow RSD’er that reminded me that our disease holds one of the highest rates of suicide that there is among chronic illnesses and I am just thankful that I never felt quite that desperate, that alone or felt quite so mad at my condition. Sure, I get sad. Sure I get mad. {I get mad a lot!} Got mad at myself yesterday when I did something really stupid because of my disease (it hurt!). I get mad when I lose my balance easily or drop things because I can’t hold them. I get mad because I can’t go to my kids things if it gets too cold or even too windy or too hot or if it’s going to be too noisy. I get really mad when I have to cancel dates with my friends. And I get even madder that this disease has cost my family our life savings. “Stupid disease!” I get sad when I can’t eat the things that I used to love or wear the things that I used to treasure all because of this thing that has changed my nervous system and how my body functions until the day that a cure is found. I’m sad because *that* half of me is gone. But if this new half is all I’ve got left to give, I’m going to fight to make damn sure it’s the best half I’ve got to offer. Fortunately for me, I get to do it surrounded by some of the best family and friends any single person was ever blessed with, people who certainly don’t seem to mind the half that is left and usually they are enough to make me feel pretty whole again.
RSD can be very isolating so sometimes I just need to remind myself of one of my favorite quotes. It never fails to make me get off my bum and get moving. Half or not.
A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.
–William Shedd
allsortsofhope 
Love your post and your favourite quote. I will remember it the next time I’m struggling with doing something new and daunting!! 🙂
Thank you, sir. Then I’d say my job for today is finished. Thanks for checking in.. (I am going to go see if you’ve posted something beautiful for me to see now. 😀 )
I did take the time to watch it, and to be sure, I have to say, I did not want to, just now, having the same disease as you my dear, dear Hope, I didn’t want to see any orange flames, I feel them as a flare up to the top of my leg , might be spread , but, I did watch it, for you asked, and I trust you, I watched it as well as read your blog, thank you SO very much for this. An angel must have told you people needed to hear your sharing , to the very details, and the video was not all red/orange flames, but, surely had it’s message…I cannot do even the things you can, but, you also have many things , I don’t,… that is the nature of this monstor, but, you are right honey…… in your beautiful quote …I needed this so very much today, my heart to your’s ♥.
I can’t. I can’t imagine. You are so strong. Love reading your blog, glad you found this ‘voice’
I watched, and it reminded me that CRPS is so much worse than FM. My pain is a drop in the bucket compared to yours. Everything else is all too familiar, though. *HUGS*
All of you is beautiful and I’m so happy to find you blogging. Here’s to better days ahead 🙂 xx