The Beauty In Overcoming
@travelandquotes
This blog is for anyone who enjoys to look at beautiful photos of our world and encouraging quotes. I made this blog for encouragement for others like myself who are struggling with life changing events like disability. I made this because it brings me joy to look at photos of places that i would like to visit since I can't get out of the house more than once a week for a doctor appointment. I can't sit for longer than an hour or i am bedridden in extra pain for days to a week. It helps me stay motivated and I hope I can help others as well to stay encouraged through struggles. When u look at the beauty all around us, its hard not to appreciate life, even through the hardest of trials. For those of you who aren't struggling, I hope u enjoy the photos and travel pictures and hope it brings a smile to your day as well:) If u want to read my story, keep reading below. Thank you so much for adding me! I have been through many struggles in the past six years. I struggle with severe pain from a rare nerve disorder called Erythromelalgia(EM), CRPS stage 3 and chronic insomnia. I have EM and CRPS and both are very hard to diagnose and treat. CRPS is the worst of any chronic pain, including severe incidents like amputation, chemo, surgery, etc. It's considered the worst pain possible for a human when its stage 3 like I have. Cancer and chronic pain are at level 30 on pain index, amputation and unprepared childbirth are are at level 40, Fracture at level 15 and below, etc. I attached the McGill Pain Index on links below. Think of being in labor 24/7. I feel like I'm burning alive in an oven 24/7, have intense shooting and stabbing pain in my back and legs, and I'm very weak. Nothing helps to manage my pain. Since I can't sleep because my pain keeps me up, it makes my pain much worse. CRPS is considered tramatic pain. Having erythromelalgia and arthritis as well makes my pain level far worse than a 50 level on the pain index. Crps is a level 48 and and above. since it took so long to diagnose, It became stage 3 and I developed erythromelalgia as a secondary diagnose. I had a severe reaction to a birth control shot, and it gave me insomnia so severe that I would get zero to 2 hrs a night of sleep for five years. I had to quit school, couldn't talk or think clearly, and couldn't say my vows for our wedding because of how it affected me. EM and CRPS makes my legs, feet and hands feel as if they are on fire and turn purple and red as they burn. I have shooting pain and severe weakness in my legs and feet, and athritis and severe stabbimg pain in my back. Nothing helps to decrease the pain to live any type of life. It all started when I was adjusted by a chiropractor who diagnosed me wrongly. I went to a chiropractor for years for neck pain from being a CNA so when we moved, I had to find a new doctor. I was instantly hurt and it only got worse. I used to be a very active person who was in college, i was a performer and was a lead singer for a cover band and was going to make a solo album, i danced ballroom and latin dance and didn’t spend much time at home, and was getting ready to start a fashion and makeup blog. Now, I spend my days in bed and get out once every 2 weeks for acupuncture and once every few months for a date with my husband. I have been out twice in a year for a date and a handful of times for doctor appointments. I can't sit for over an hr and a half and every time I get out as it makes me bedridden for a week because of pain. I loved to get out before the events that hurt me, so being in the house and having trouble to just sit for half an hour is tough. When I get outside, I take every moment in. When I was healthy, I wouldnt take the time to appreciate the sky and trees, to be thankful I got to do errands instead of complaining about them, and appreciate all the simple things. I was like most people, just going about their day and missing the fact that we are only here for a short period of time. I didnt take the time to be thankful for every day I got to be alive. Going through my struggles has made me a stronger person and a more thankful person. Even though I fight every day to do things like get out of bed or go take a ride in the car, things that I didnt think about and took for granted when I was healthy, I thank God for this trial, because it made me who I am today. I also can relate to others who are disabled now, since I use a wheelchair now to get around. I feel I was put on this earth to help others through struggles and let them know how it will get better and they will get through it if they fight. I put my faith and hope into God, and I know He will help me through it in His timing, like He has helped me stay strong through all of this. I couldnt have done it without Him. We have had so many miracles happen already that cant be explained! When we go to a doctor, they dont know how to help me. Ive seen hundreds of doctors and I finally found one who told me what I have, four years later. Lets just say we have tried almost everything and until they can get my level 10 pain down to a 8 or lower, I cant do therapy. It could possibly damage my nerves more and then I wouldn’t be able to walk at all. I can stand for a few mins and walk from the bed to my chair, but nothing like I need to do to get better. As I wait,my bones are getting weaker and my pain more intense, but I wont give up! I still have a smile on my face and look forward to every moment that I have with my hubby, and try my best. Five and a Half of the best years of my life are gone. I married my husband and never got to have that honeymoon period because i got sick just two months after he moved here to be with me. We met online and he moved from Ohio to California. We knew instantly we were meant to be:) He is my best friend and although we have been through many trials, we are closer and stronger than ever because of them. I will save that story for another time. I actually knew the second I saw his picture that he was the one! I plan on starting a makeup and fashion blog as soon as my sleep gets better and I'm not as weak. I want to go against what society thinks people that have a disability should look like. I love dramatic makeup and fashion and always get told that I dont look sick. I shouldn't have to look sick just because I am in pain and can't walk. I spend every day in bed so when I do get out I try to get ready even though it makes my pain a lot worse. It's so important to be yourself. When I am able to get my blog going I will post the link. I was fully healthy prior to the shot and chiropractor. I dont care if every doctor feels I wont get better, I know I will because I have faith i will. Even if it isn't in this lifetime I know I will be healed in my true home. I do truly believe I will be healed soon. God is sovereign over all and there is no problem too big for Him. Just know that whatever situation u are facing, u can fight through it and will become a stronger person because of it. You are here for a reason and God has a unique plan just for u! Other people will see how u fight and it will inspire them to fight too. Someone is always worse off and they can use your inspiration to inspire them to keep going. If u dont know anyone who is in need of help, volunteer in your area and lend a helping hand. Nothing warms the heart more than helping a person in need, especially when u are struggling yourself. Look around at the beauty in this world and take time to enjoy it every day. U never know when this could be your last day or if you are about about to face a life changing struggle . I hope people learn to appreciate life now and not wait until something dramatic happens to appreciate life and others. I dont get to get outside much, so I like to look at pictures of our beautiful world and imagine being there when I get better. I like to take a moment to just enjoy the beauty in life. I hope u will enjoy these photos and quotes too, and will find them encouraging and inspiring like i do. U can fight your struggle! Life is worth fighting for so lets fight together!:) If anyone has any questions, needs advice or prayer, or needs a friend please send me a comment or message. Thank u so much for reading this. I hope my blog gives someone out there hope and encouragement. Hope u enjoy the photos. Thinking of traveling with my husband and just making memories together makes me want to fight even harder. There is a lot more to my story but I tried to summarize everything the best I could. Thanks for reading! http://www.rsdhope.org/crps-stages.html https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007184.htm http://www.rsdhope.org/mcgill-pain-index---where-is-crps-pain-ranked.html http://www.erythromelalgia.org/whatisem.aspx