A birthday post from an aged RSD'er...lol !

As of today, I am officially “OLD”!…and, strange as it seems, I am thrilled!  There’s no more dread of getting old, no more sweating the small stuff, not as many insecurities and a lot more comfort in your own skin.  I love the person I’ve become and appreciate the people who made the journey with me.
All too often, we perceive aging as a lessening when, in fact, it’s an increase.  It’s the sum of wisdom and knowledge you’ve acquired, it’s the heightened respect and the decreased rebellion.  It is sometimes a slower pace with added purpose. It is often a keener sense and clearer vision. It is, basically, expansion; which is more, not less.
What does this have to do with RSD, you ask!  As an RSD’er of 27 years, it’s proof that we CAN cope and survive all that illness throws at us.  We CAN live a full life albeit painful.  I am grateful to God for this stage of life and for all He’s brought me through.  I consider myself very blessed and all of you are part of the blessing.
Love,
Jane

Update

I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since I last posted.  A lot has happened since then; the main thing being that the grieving has stopped.  I can't explain that, because the situation is essentially still grievous.  Yet, somehow, I've come to terms with it and actually consider this post to be full of good news.  First of all, I have finished several projects that were important to me; some for awareness and some for posterity.  For those of you that don't yet know, I have made the blog book available free of charge in PDF form, as the paperback was too pricey for those of us with limited income.  Secondly, I am now getting (gentle) massage therapy through a means other than Medicare.  Obviously, I am thrilled about that.  It's beneficial in the sense that it keeps me limber, which has allowed me to maintain bed mobility.  Although I can't tell you the atrophy has stopped, I can tell you that some of it is noticably smaller.  Yes, I recognize that is a miracle and I hope it continues.  I hope you can appreciate the tightrope/balancing act. of seeing the bad, yet focusing on the good; praying and rejoicing with me.  May the stories we share and events we hold expedite public awareness, and may our prayers for each other have great effect.
Blessings,
Jane