RSD Interview #36 - With Deanne Mediati

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU GET RSD?

My RSD began in April 2009. We were enjoying our Easter Sunday, having a barbeque at my daughter's house. They own a very old fashioned, heavy, iron, patio table set. My son was sitting in one of the chairs. He was propped up forward, and I walked right into the leg of the chair at the same time it came down (on my foot). I pulled my foot out very fast and said "Ouch that hurt", then forgot about it until four days later, when a friend came over and noticed that my foot was swollen, bruised and very sore. I went back and forth to the doctor's office and the ER that whole summer. I had more than one x-ray. I, also,had an MRI and all these showed nothing wrong. Then I saw a new doctor and the first thing he said to me was "that looks like RSD". I asked what it was. Then I went home and looked it up on the internet and, sure thing, I had every symptom. That was the start of my journey.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS IT AFFECTED YOUR LIFE?

RSD has affected my life tremendously; everything has changed. 

-I used to work and go to college. 

-I used to drive. 

-I used to walk normal and wear both shoes. 

-I raised my three children alone by working as a hairdresser for twenty five plus years. I am a strong woman, but this stuff has got me down.

-The RSD has spread up my leg into my knee. The pain and the       coldness of my foot are hard to deal with. 

My life has not been the same, and I am a totally different person now.

DO YOU HAVE A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM?

I kind of have a good support system. I have struggled with depression because of this subject. Being a single parent to my kids, they had a very hard time getting used to me being this way. Though, they are much better these days. I had a boyfriend but he broke up with me the day I found out I had RSD. My support system is my family, God, Facebook and all my RSD friends. Without their support,  I would be lost.

DOES FAITH PLAY A PART IN YOUR STRUGGLE OR YOUR STAMINA?

I cannot live without God and faith in my life.

HOW HAVE YOU RE-INVENTED YOURSELF?

I am trying to re-invent myself. I am a student at American River College and I try to keep my mind occupied with other things, instead of the pain. I have three grandkids, whom I love tremendously. They keep my heart happy.

HAS ANYTHING GOOD COME FROM THIS TRIAL?

I have grown to know God and myself a whole lot better.

WHAT THINGS DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

I miss a lot of things:  walking normal, driving, dancing, working, doing hair, and being independent.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO

KNOW ABOUT YOU AND/OR YOUR DISEASE?

I want people to know that this disorder is no joke. It can happen to anyone; young, old, or in-between. I find it interesting, the coldness among the symptoms (though I don’t have bad circulation). My brain got tweaked when I hurt my foot on the patio chair. Before that moment, I was a normal, single mom, who had an active life. This took me down so low, I had to fight to get back up. The process has been slow. I ask the public to not judge anyone who says they are in pain, as it’s not funny. And, always remember, it can happen to ANYONE.