If you don't know me, I'm an RSD patient who found a great set of supportive friends here. My backstory is this: I was diagnosed with RSD of left foot over 14 years ago. My doctor and his predecessor, treated me with respect, and treated the RSD with the same medication & dose as 14 years ago. My doc died last fall and I finally found a new doctor I like. He's changed my doses but I'm on the same meds, and I'm doing well. When diagnosed with RSD a doctor whose wife had the disease, told me that I'd likely be in a wheelchair by my 40th birthday. My doc didn't know he had said that, but when I told HIM, he said to forget it, that RSD was different for everyone.

Meanwhile I met & married my hubby, worked my way up to a job I love, and 2 years ago became a mother to a son I adore. I did NOT end up in a wheelchair and in fact, 3 years ago I climbed up the road and the stairs to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. At that point I wanted to yell from the gorgeous canon-filled area to tell RSD to ....well, you get the picture.

So today I am back in Scotland and I went back to Edinburgh Castle. It was a longer walk than I had recalled but I AM 3 years older. Needless to say, I set out this morning to make it to the top again, to explore every nook and cranny of the castle, and I did it! I am NOT in a wheelchair or on crutches. I do not have RSD in every inch of my body as was expected so easily by that jaded doc. I feel SO bad for his wife but it's important that RSD patients know there IS hope. Especially in those 1st months when you're adjusting to meds and crutches and worry that your life, as you know it, is over. But I say, it's just the start of a new life. Yeah, taking meds sucks. Hell, remembering to pack them sucks! But RSD and CP in general requires the use of meds we never thought we'd even consider. And thank God we have them.

I am 42 years old, I have a 2 year old son and a husband, and a huge extended family. We own a home, cars, and I work a week a month as a travel consultant. I also work extra when needed (especially in this economy) and that means a trip to Europe and/or the UK every year. I'm there now. And today I not only made my way up the steep streets and walkways, but ascended and descended the most steep stairs that I can barely believe I did it. Today I did the entire castle! 3 years ago we were late arriving and didn't get to see it all. But I DID get to the top where the views of Edinburgh are breathtaking.

AND I walked back down to the Royal Mile! I shopped and carried around a bag full of full water bottles as I schlepped from one store to another. Wheelchair? Maybe some day, if something else goes wrong, but RSD, you are NOT taking me quietly! Ha!

In addition, I am taking a bus tour tomorrow of the Scottish Highlands, and the Loch Ness. So if "Nessie", the Loch Ness monster has a taste for RSD, she will know where to find me.

I've climbed Mayan Pyramids, competed in an Amazing Race for real people, parasailed, snorkeled and ran across an airport without a cane while recovering from a fractured ankle a year or so ago. But the happiest moment came today when I walked up those final steps and was asked if I wanted my photo taken. Hell yeah! (It'll be available in a few days online. Meanwhile check my photos in a few minutes b/c I have a few from today I MUST add.)

Am I sore? Umm, yes. Am I having muscle spasms? Yep. Will I regret even one iota of today's adventure? NOPE! I am saying to the RSD (my enemy) "Take this you ***********!" I'm NOT laying around and letting it GET me. I put up a fight! I did all my exercises, and everything my doc told me to do. I figured that I could be in pain and be miserable or be in pain and get stuff done. Now, that is MY pain. I'm lucky in that the meds WORK on me and have for 14 years. My story may be atypical. In fact, knowing other RSD patients, I'm sure it is.

And yes, somedays I am not 100%. Some nights I can't sleep. But today...TODAY I climbed a steep hill (it's a fortress!) and more steps than I can count. I'm even going to see if I can post some pics of this. TODAY I told RSD where to get off. Literally. And it was a GOOD day.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. If someone had told me 14 years ago that THIS (all of it) was possible, I would've thought they were crazy. Because one doctor had a bad experience, he was sure I would. Well, it HAS been bad, but no where NEAR what it could've been.

So today I thank God for keeping my RSD confined to my left leg. My doctors for encouraging me to continue my exercises even back when I thought they were nuts. And thanks also for the medication that has allowed me to deal with the pain of a million flames. Because the medication was and is a big part of it.

Today I climbed my mountain. Tomorrow I tackle another hurdle. And I'll keep doing this until I can't physically do it any longer. But IMO, that day is a LONG way off. :) Thanks for being my friends! And, RSD? Take THAT! HAH!