Rsd 

29 creative works found

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  RSD
  by Peter Daalder

  RSD, or Road Side Delivery… / Gotta love these arrays of mailboxes!

• My Artist's Struggle
  by Hayley Cafarella

  As Christmas approaches there is a certain tingle in the air of corporate tension winding down. Time passes slowly when we are childr…

  As Christmas approaches there is a certain tingle in the air of corporate tension winding down. Time passes slowly when we are children – a school term can feel like an entire year . This year my artist has learnt that time can pass even more slowly when one is held back from their dreams by forces, internal or external, that are beyond their control. The struggle began on a sunny November day during the illustrious Melbourne Cup that saw my artist take her first trip to the races. I helped her dress that day, she was carefree and skipping in a red dress with a bow. He hair was curled and pinned loosely and make up delicately applied. Her shoes were the final extravagance- high on a wedge heel with straps across her toes and clasps around her ankles. Derby Day 2006 was one of the busiest days Flemington has ever seen. The sun blasted the grounds as grandiose revellers pressed against one another, trying to find their way to the bar or the toilets. Not wishing to queue twice, my artist left the bar with a bottle of champagne in each hand, a smile and the intention of enjoying the afternoon. The sun made a pact with the grapes many moons ago to try and preserve the grape’s longevity once man had discovered the glorious results of fermentation. Thus an alcoholic beverage consumed in the fire of the day’s zenith will pound the drinker with such force that they will be rendered nauseas and delirious with resolutions to never again enjoy the bubbly goodness of their poison. My artist, sadly, was to fall victim to the ruse of the sun and the grapes in such a way as to change her life completely. The afternoon began with laughter and punting that would happily bring my artist decent winnings when a kiwi horse with an outside chance galloped his way into second place. As the drinking continued and clarity dissipated, navigating the labyrinth of the crowd would become the most difficult mission facing my artist and her drunken pals. With toilet trips taking over an hour, the group was quickly separated and hoping for a reunion at the grounds was to spit in the face of realism. I found her wandering with a single companion late in the afternoon after having left to explore the off limits stables – the song of an imaginaiad can sooth a horse like no whisper ever has. Somehow, the stumbling pair found their way back to their base at a nearby friend’s house. One shoe off and one shoe on and two shoes on and two shoes off and rinse, repeat and double the strength…..this is how my artist travelled as the pain in her ankle confused and dismayed her. Luckily a pair of backup thongs waited at the house and my artist could at least go home limping on little rubber cushions. After two weeks her ankle was better and her life returned to normal. It wasn’t until the week before Christmas that everything collapsed. Standing whilst visiting her parents, my artist stepped and a lightning bolt shot through the base of her foot and up through her ankle. Another step and there it was again. Confused, my artist did not raise her concern until the pain had not subsided several days later. A trip to the doctor saw her heading off for x-rays and ultrasounds that would show the illusion of a torn ligament and begin a treatment process that would, in fact, hinder and prolong a correct diagnosis. After a month in a cam walker (an inflatable, removable cast) a surgeon re-examined the wreckage and declared the ankle structure sound and the pain a fabrication. An order to walk out of his office without crutches left my artist sobbing in frustration – she knew….I knew, the pain was as real as the nose on her face. She bounced around doctors after this, specialists scanned her scans but could not find the source of her ail. Finally she landed in a physiotherapist’s office who packed her off to one of the most respected doctors in Melbourne. Upon examination, her paining foot presented as cold, several degrees colder than her other foot despite it’s bandaged protection. This symptom sang a tune loud and clear to the doctor and pulling a medical book from the shelf he began to explain that he believed she had Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). This nervous condition involves her nerves sending over exaggerated and phantom pain signals to her brain, her brain gets confused and believes her foot is badly injured and so sends help in the form of swelling, bruising, numbness and pretty much any sort of injury symptom you can think of. The clincher….no one really knows how to fix it. The past year has been filled with medication trials, crutches and hopeful physio. The condition is mild in comparison to how it could be, something that raises the chances of a full recovery if things go well. Without an answer or end currently in sight, my artist has fought through this year blindly hoping that the next day will bring something better. I sing her through the tough times and do my best to keep her colours churning as she desperately clings to her dreams, afraid they will get lost amidst the madness of constant pain and fragility. And so 2007 has slowly drizzled past, the momentum of my artist’s life has snapped to a standstill as she fights to regain her independence. Christmas brings an ending and a beginning and hopefully the year ahead will be filled with delightful surprises. I will sing louder and I will burn as brightly as I can. I see the horizon and I will rise above this challenge. I will soar upon my colours and rain my joy upon the earth below. I will take my artist with me…….

• Fastidious Frustration at Bitching Bullies
  by Hayley Cafarella

  There was a girl that my artist went to school with. The stereotypical bully. Plump and a head taller than the rest of the kids with hair…

  There was a girl that my artist went to school with. The stereotypical bully. Plump and a head taller than the rest of the kids with hair dyed the colour of coal and a dog collar adorning her pudgy neck. Sarah. Plain Sarah really, and not too active in the thoughts department. Sarah’s imaginaiad looked like a lost Sid Vicious groupie and once, when I encountered her after her ill tempered ‘artist’ slammed mine into a locker, she gave me the finger and mouthed “Bite me” before rushing into her host to inspire her to flee from an approaching teacher. It’s my nature to observe and not to judge, but sometimes it is impossible not to see glaringly obvious conclusions. At the age of 9, Sarah was the first bitch I ever encountered. The most terrible thing about a bitch who is also painfully stupid is that even if you try as hard as you possibly can to reason with them, they will never see your point of view. You will never have the satisfaction of getting your concept across. They will rebuff your logic with the logic of children and will always be able to counter you even if their counter is nonsense. Frustrating. There have been a lot of bitches since then. Some just a silly and stubborn as Sarah. RSD is the biggest bitch my artist has been forced to deal with so far. Just like Sarah it attacks when seemingly unprovoked, it does not listen and rebels against efforts to control it, it pains for no reason and will hang around spitefully cursing my artist long after measures have been taken to calm it down. It laughs at my artist as she struggles to go about her business and rears its flaming head whenever it can cause the most disruption. It tests my artist, just to see how far it can go before she snaps and collapses in tears. It mocks her with it’s rejection of sense and embraces its nonsensical pattern of pain to the gain of no-one. Frustrating. The beginning of this year has not been filled with the usual promise of all things new and exciting. It has so far brought pain and boredom that permeate my artist’s mental well being and build blocks that slow my colours. RSD seeps a cloudy purple from my artist’s ankle and so far it has been resistant to my attempts to soothe and right its rainbow. We must push on. Things might be wonky but Orange still glows on the horizon at sunset and with her shines the promise of better days to come.

• 

  RSD Its Twisted
  by KimberlyNic

  Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a degenerative crippling disease affecting Millions of people around the world. There are countless numbers of sufferers, living in the silent agony of neuropathic pain because of miss diagnosis and misunderstanding. / Save a loved one a life of living hell by learning the signs and symptoms. PLEASE DO BELIEVE HOW BAD THE PAIN CAN BE! / To learn more and find out what you can do click here >RSD/CRPS Info @ RSDHOPE / I created this Digital Portrait of myself and the pain I endure on a daily basis. I started painting this image only to have my hands demand I stop. Since my diagnosis I have learnt to become very ambidextrous unfortunately my RSD is trying to spread hindering both arms, shoulders, neck back and full face. This also makes comfortable sleep impossible so affects my hips legs and feet. Until I find another glimpse of hope I will have to put the painting aside and use my trusted faithful Image manipulation techniques to try and tell MY story. / The weather dominates my life; it brings me days of happiness along with many days of grief. The slightest breeze can burn my skin, a strong cold wind completely freeze burn my arm, constricting all the blood vessels, starving my muscles of oxygen causing a plethora of problems. Hot water can feel lovely, but the motion of the water can irritate my skin severely, too hot and I burn my hand through lack of essential nervous responses to tell me to pull away. Cold water triggers the chain reaction of “my blood supply temporary shutdown” that is excruciatingly painful although delayed, so by the time I feel the pain I have caused too much damage to reverse the cycle. Many muscles spasm, periodically without warning, usually after a very smalln accident like bumping the door handle on the way past, reaching for the salt on a high shelf or washing my hands under cold water. One warning sign I’m beginning to recognise is my hand turns dark when I over-use it; within a few minutes of this happening, I have muscular spasms that send a chain of spasms throughout my upper extremities then to my face. If anyone touches this area whilst this dreadful beast lashes my body, the touch can feel like a gunshot wound, triggering more responses. I am usually left with the feeling of being shot in the head, shoulder and back, and then being nailed to a tree trying to pull myself free. My nails are grooved and brittle, I lose a lot of hair seemingly by the season, and then my hair grows back thicker and curlier then before! I have signs of arthritis and muscular atrophy. All wounds take a long time to heal. I am vague, sleep deprived; touch deprived and deprived of being myself! My medications make me nauseas, dizzy, tired and grumpy to say the least. Don’t pity me, pity those around me!I am a lucky one….... my case is considered MILD! *Note: Any sales will help a sufferer in QLD Australia(me) in need of expensive medications and treatments.

• RSD its Twisted
  by KimberlyNic

  Don’t pity me, pity those around me! / I am a lucky one…....

  Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a degenerative crippling disease affecting Millions of people around the world. There are countless numbers of sufferers, living in the silent agony of neuropathic pain because of miss diagnosis and misunderstanding. / Save a loved one a life of living hell by learning the signs and symptoms. PLEASE DO BELIEVE HOW BAD THE PAIN CAN BE!

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  TRAPPED_Portrait of a Chronic Pain Patient
  by Lotacats

  Chronic Pain. Fibromyalgia, RSD, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, Myofacial Pain Syndrome, Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis and much more.

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  Portrait of a Chronic Pain Patient_lettered
  by Lotacats

  Lettered version of “TRAPPED”

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  Portrait of a Chronic Pain Patient
  by Lotacats

  Fibromyalgia, Myofacial Pain Syndrome, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis and much more.

• well, here it is...my first video
  by Hayley Cafarella

  A fellow RSD sufferer, Sarah Rutgers, posted an amazing video=...

  A fellow RSD sufferer, Sarah Rutgers, posted an amazing video recently. It was amazing because she allowed herself to show the dark and lonely side of RSD. I felt like she was talking from inside my own head and I don’t think I am the only sufferer who found that comforting…not comforting to see someone in pain but comforting to know that I am not the only one who feels like this. Since watching Sarah’s, I have been feeling inspired to tell my story on video. I can’t delete and rewrite what I’m saying as I go, so you’re just getting me as I am…random blank pauses included. RSD is an evil, silent monster, it has also only become a recognised medical condition in the last 20 years. My aim as I set out on this Vlogging journey is to help bring awareness to this life debilitating problem and to hopefully create something that other sufferers can relate to. You can check out my first installment at my blog: / http://rellacafa.blogspot.com/

• my reflex sympathetic dystrophy (rsd) story part 2
  by Hayley Cafarella

  In a follow up to number one / Here is the second Vlog I’ve done / I’m a bit further through / This story of mine / But it is quite long (and…

  In a follow up to number one / Here is the second Vlog I’ve done / I’m a bit further through / This story of mine / But it is quite long (and complicated) / So will take some time… I hope you enjoy coming along for the ride :) Watch at Rellacafa

• my reflex sympathetic dystrophy (rsd) story part 3
  by Hayley Cafarella

  A little medical information / To help explain my situation / RSD is a constant curse / With pain that goes from bad to worse / And with so s…

  A little medical information / To help explain my situation / RSD is a constant curse / With pain that goes from bad to worse / And with so so much / That’s still unknown / The need for awareness / Is clearly shown Thank you for following my story. Please let the meaning of RSD be what you learn today… My Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Story part 3

• my reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) story part 4 & some THANK YOU!s
  by Hayley Cafarella

  I was super honoured to find out that I was featured in a couple of groups this week. THANK YOU! It has made my week to have my work appr…

  I was super honoured to find out that I was featured in a couple of groups this week. THANK YOU! It has made my week to have my work appreciated like this… My poem The Dove was featured in Masterpieces: Literary Workshop / I am very proud to be amongst the other writers currently featured :) I would also like to say a huge THANK YOU! to the Uncoventional Artistry group for featuring my video journals regarding my RSD. It is no fun suffering from a condition that no one has ever heard of and so I am super grateful to the group’s lovely host Brianne for helping me raise awareness. And now I come to the little op / I needed when my hip went pop / Too bad the pain just didn’t stop / And so more suffering I did cop My Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Story part 4 Merry Christmas! Hope your holidays are filled with magic and sparkles!!

• Good Riddance 2008: Year of the Hell
  by Hayley Cafarella

  Right throughout this year did rain / Torrents of torture and barrels of pain / Here’s hoping that it can be set right again / Cause it’s do…

  Right throughout this year did rain / Torrents of torture and barrels of pain / Here’s hoping that it can be set right again / Cause it’s doing my head in, just staying sane Good Riddance 2008: Year of the Hell

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  The Prayer Box with poem
  by Kara Brothers

  This is a prayer box necklace a dear friend made, and gave to me. Inside is a stone that one of the autistic children she used to work with, gave her. She can no longer work with them, due to developing RSD from an injury she recieved when one of the children slammed her hand in the door. Working with those kids was her life, and it is tearing her apart inside to not be able to do so any longer. She is talking about doing volunteer work with them, even though another similar injury is very likely. Every day I say a prayer for her, that the doctors will find something to ease her constant physical and emotional pain. I wrote the poem to accompany the photo.

• Welcoming 09 With a Bang and a Mic
  by Hayley Cafarella

  Shedding off 08 involved / The problem of my pain being solved / With a glass of wine / Or maybe more…. / With enthusiastic sing stars / And…

  Shedding off 08 involved / The problem of my pain being solved / With a glass of wine / Or maybe more…. / With enthusiastic sing stars / And a loony dance floor Watch highlights at my blog Rellacafa Now for the rest and recovery! Happy New Year Bubblers! Bring on the sunshine 09!!!

• Random Holiday Weirdness & Some Leftovers
  by Hayley Cafarella

  Summer is a funny time of year / Everything seems a little weird To me, anyway. Random Holiday Weirdness & Some Leftovers...

  Summer is a funny time of year / Everything seems a little weird To me, anyway. Random Holiday Weirdness & Some Leftovers

• My Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Story part 5
  by Hayley Cafarella

  Just as I was recovering in the hip / My body took another slip / This time striking me in the jaw / With I not knowing whatever for! Tha…

  Just as I was recovering in the hip / My body took another slip / This time striking me in the jaw / With I not knowing whatever for! Thanks so much to all of you taking the time to watch these clips, it means a lot to me to be able to get the word out about this horribly debilitating yet unknown condition…thank you xx My Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Story part 5

• Living With RSD #3: From Crap to Crappier
  by Hayley Cafarella

  Feeling tired / And uninspired / Nerves have fired / Far too much pain / I’m so tired / Of just dealing / Again “*Living With Reflex Sympat…

  Feeling tired / And uninspired / Nerves have fired / Far too much pain / I’m so tired / Of just dealing / Again Living With Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) #3: From Crap to Crappier But a few days ago / A happier post / Out in the country / Where I love it most A Spa, A Massage & A Wish

• The God of Irony and Why He Had Me Punished
  by Hayley Cafarella

  It seems no matter why I try / Irony is always standing by / To thwart me as I try to stand / And send me crashing back to land I tried t…

  It seems no matter why I try / Irony is always standing by / To thwart me as I try to stand / And send me crashing back to land I tried to go out and have one drink in a bar to celebrate with friends…I got stomped on…right on my ankle…right where the initial injury that caused my RSD happened. It hurt. A lot. You can read the whole story here: http://rellacafa.com

• Why I Am Lucky And Will Be OK...With Sketching
  by Hayley Cafarella

  Despite days since my stomping on / The pain is flaring just as strong / But I’m trying to turn this mood around / Keep these swollen feet o…

  Despite days since my stomping on / The pain is flaring just as strong / But I’m trying to turn this mood around / Keep these swollen feet on solid ground And remember how lucky I am. This is the latest imaginaiad, Leni, she’s just a sketch right now but is looking forward to getting her colours… Rellacafa

• Waving a White Flag at Reality
  by Hayley Cafarella

  There is no use denying / Bad happens to good people too / There is no use in crying / That bad shouldn’t happen to you

  I’ve really had to put a lot of effort into learning to accept things over the last couple of years…I suppose this poem is a little about that and a little about extremism…I don’t believe you have to always see half glasses of water as half full or half empty, although logic would have me think if it was originally empty then it’s half full, if was originally full then it’s half empty, but mostly I simply accept that half of the glass is filled with water, for better or for worse, that’s just the way it is and I’ll find a way to work with that much liquid ;) I absolutely believe in having hope and being optimistic about the unknown, I just perhaps don’t feel the need to work myself into a state of denial that doesn’t let me prepare myself for if things don’t go so well. I hope and I dream, but I try not to expect…closed expectation can be very, very dangerous. Expect that things might turn out differently to how you expect them too…lolz…that’s probably the most balanced form of expectation. Perhaps this is a long winded way of saying ‘take it as it comes’? Hope for everything, expect nothing. Read & Subscribe to my blog updates at: http://rellacafa.com

• One Breath After The Other
  by Hayley Cafarella

  It’s like a constant waiting game / With each and every day the same

  Sigh…this is just life with RSD…there are not guaranteed treatments or cures. Sometimes my body flares up in such pain that I can’t even believe I stay conscious and yet there is nothing I can do about it, I cannot take a painkiller and make it go away… I hope that by sharing my story and experiences I can help educate people about RSD/CRPS…suffering from an unknown and invisible disease makes it extremely difficult to get by in a society that judges on appearance. It’s not like having a condition that people understand, like Epilepsy or Multiple Sclerosis. RSD sufferers have to explain their condition constantly, even to the doctors and nurses they rely on and often are met with looks of disbelief and suspicion. Please understand that this is not ‘phantom pain’, this is REAL PAIN, our nerves are firing pain signals constantly, there is just not a known reason for them to be doing that. Please be aware, when you are out there in the big, wide world, that there are medical conditions that you might never have heard of, degrees of pain that you might not understand…just be aware and maybe don’t got ramming people out of your way and stomping on their feet, you might be causing a lifetime of pain. Thanks for taking the time to read this, thank you for listening, by simply listening you have helped my cause…thanks again. If you are interested in learning more about my situation, please subscribe to my blog at http://rellacafa.com

• An RSD Update & An Exciting Double Feature!
  by Hayley Cafarella

  Howdy Bubbletrons, These days pass in a blurry haze / I’m trying not to be all phased / Been suffering with a dreaded cold / That’s tryin…

  Howdy Bubbletrons, These days pass in a blurry haze / I’m trying not to be all phased / Been suffering with a dreaded cold / That’s trying to force me to fold Extra discomfort is just not what you need on top of RSD! Finally catching up on my blog / Updates got a little lost in the fog / But now I’m feeling back on track / And up to helping share the facts Video style. http://rellacafa.com In other exciting news, for the first time ever a piece of mine was featured in two different groups…thanks everyone at the Core and All Out Emotion groups!! The piece is: Waving A White Flag At Reality Hope all is well in your world!! / xx

• Pain Removed Me From The Bubble For A Bit....Hi Guys
  by Hayley Cafarella

  Hey Bubbling Buddies, I am so terribly sorry for neglecting you over the last month or so. I went in for a ketamine infusion in Februa…

  Hey Bubbling Buddies, I am so terribly sorry for neglecting you over the last month or so. I went in for a ketamine infusion in February, it kind of went badly and then I got really sick with a virus turned chest infection that would not quit…since then I have been dealing with flares that are more violent and restricting than usual. I am, sadly, not able to do much drawing or painting in this condition, having more trouble with my hands than I used to. I am looking at moving to a bigger place so I’m hoping if I can have all my art things set up then I will still be able to get there, a little bit at a time. I am still trying to keep my blog updated, spreading awareness is hugely important to me right now as I have tried most of the treatments available in Australia and yet my RSD/CRPS worsens…I really need a miracle right now! I noticed after I filmed my ketamine story that I had featured JC Saint Po’s 2009 calendar in the background, his work is awesome, loving having a new piece on the wall each month! http://rellacafa.com I will try and update this journal when I’m able and if my medicine rattled brain spews out any little poetic pieces I shall share them with you too. Hoping to catch up on your updates and artwork asap, I miss the way you keep me inspired! x