Love is in the Air!

So I have been dating Joey for a while now and I am so happy with him. It is as if there was a Joey shaped hole in my life and a me shaped hole in his. We just slid into the place and it is as if we were always there. I love hanging out with his family and he enjoys being around mine.
I don't know how I became so very lucky to find a guy like Joey.
My last few weeks have been very low pain because of all the happiness in my life. My life is practically stress free and it is all thanks to my family, friends, and Joey.
It blows me away how much that we care for each other and how much I miss him when he isn't here. He looks at me like I am something precious and fragile. He makes me laugh like no one else, and I love doing stuff for him and with him. We can just sit on the couch watching a movie and it is better then going to the finest restaurant in town.
I love him! I don't care who knows! Cause Joey Whightsel is amazing and he is my man!

Formal Dance & Christmas.....LA LA LA!

So We had a Formal Dance at Church this past Friday and all of my gal pals went as each others date. I went and got my hair done early in the day and then all of us girls....well me Tara and Darc went and got Tara an outfit for the dance then got home late and got ready fast then went picked up our friend Amy and went to eat @ Panera Bread and we had a blast!
We then got to the Dance a little late but had a blast and I got a little of dancing in before having to sit the rest of the nite in pain. We sat around and talked and just had a blast I took a video of all the craziness and its funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iisdhyu0mCo
We had an awesome time and then after we tired of the dance we went back to Darc's and we watched "Sister's Keeper."
Then on Saturday me and my boyfriend Joey went with his aunt and uncle to a Nativity. It was awesome! But now because I was out in the cold my RSD leg hates me. But yea it was a lot of fun! I loved it!
Anyway I have updated the RSD/CRPS Doesn't Own Me Website and its awesome!!!!
You should check it out!
www.rsdcrpsdoesntownme.com
Pictures:
Top- Is Me!
Middle- Amy and Me
Bottom-Joey and Me

Belated Birthday Party

So last night my friends surprised me with a belated Birthday part since I have been so sick lately. We went to church for FHE like normal and I had to give the Lesson and as soon as I was done I looked up and My friend Lori was sitting in the room! I was so suprised! She had brought with her a HUGE birthday cake and after we all decorated the church for Christmas we all went into the Game/kitchen area and we had the cake! It was perfect! I have never seen anything that beautiful in my life!

After eating the amazing cake we all piled into our cars and went to my favorite place on earth! MOMO's which is a Karaoke Bar....just like they have in Japan. We had an awesome time! We sang till about 11 and the boys even sang "Afternoon Delight" I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long long time! It was just a blast and I missed my friends!

Post Birthday Post from a Official 22 Year Old

So yesterday was my birthday. My RSD woke me up at the exact time I was born 6:45am.....needless to say I wasn't really in the mood for celebrating. It was not an over the top day but I had fun none the less. I am still sick so my friends didn't plan my party till next week. I love them with all my heart.
Mom and I went to Benihana's because I got a free gift certificate for dinner there. I had sushi, shrimp, and yakisoba (which is my favorite it is a sweet noodle dish with veggies.)
We even got my and mom's picture taken for free and they sang happy birthday to me in Japanese! I had a blast! We went home and watched telly till mom had to go to work.
Then my friend Rebecca came over and we ordered Pizza and some Soda and watched "Its a Boy/Girl Thing" and talked.....
Then Darcy showed up and we all laid on my bed talking and being goofy as Carter snuggled with us.
(Darcy brought him over along with her gift for me so that I didn't have to be alone.)
It was really nice and we had a blast....but soon Becca had to leave but Darcy stayed for a while till mom got home and I opened my presents and we had cake.
I got Pjs so that I have something to chill round the house in, Sims 3 the expansion pack, and a 26 inch HDTV!!!!
I am going to redo my room and turn it into a chill pad and move my bed up against the wall where my window is and take out the bigger stuff and bring in a couch from downstairs.
I am looking forward to it!
I found out that I am going back to Cleveland Clinic for a second Opinion on my RSD. Mom and I are going up there early and making a mini vacation out of it. Hard Rock Cafe and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I am excited!
Anyway I am going to go chill now cause its a gloomy day and that is causing my RSD to flare up bad.

Almost My Birthday!

My birthday is on Tuesday and I am rather excited.....it has been a rough year since my last birthday. RSD is a very rough disease to cope with. I know it is rough on my family as much as it hurts me.
I am soooo very lucky to have such an amazing family.
I am blessed to have my parents who are there by my side.
This week I have been sick sick sick...and once again I am sick again.
I was going to go with my friends and My Ghost Hunting Squad Researching today and got about halfway to my friends house and I got insanely sick!
It was so very embarrassing and demeaning getting sick on the side of the highway.

The guys went to the Court House and researched without me and it made me sad cause I had planned on having a fun day with them and then going debunking tonight at Bryn Du, to see if they can recreate the thing that we caught on video the other weekend.

I met this guy named Joey this week and he seems nice enough. I might get to meet up with him soon and hang out with him...I haven't gone on a date in a while so it would be nice to have one for a change. You know?

Well anyway I am gonna go talk to some friends online and chill and try to feel better.
Hugs!

List of Foods to Not Eat & What is Fine

This was borrowed straight from http://artzoo.com/health/rsdcrps.htm

Here are some basic guides to follow:
Most Important! No CAFFEINE, or anything that contains caffeine (including chocolate, OK OK you can cheat once in a great while with the chocolate if you watch all other intake) caffeine stimulates the nerves. If you are addicted to caffeine the most painless way to stop is to drink ginseng tea, (found in most grocery stores) it gives a lift and eases caffeine withdrawals such as headache and irritability. Eventually you should give up the ginseng (a mild stimulant) and drink caffeine free herbal teas.
No Alcohol
Stop Smoking nicotine is a nerve stimulant, tobacco has a poison called solanine, that causes pain in muscles. There are nicotine free cigarettes that contain passion flower, a muscle relaxant, and other natural ingredients that if you really need to smoke, you can satisfy the cravings until you kick the habit.
Click here to e-mail me for info on cigarette replacements.
Do not use nicotine patches or gum, they can cause a worsening of symptoms.

Foods you must avoid:
Wheat and foods containing gluten. (oats, barley malt, modified food starch, etc.). Substitutes: corn and rice pasta available at health food stores, as well as rice, sprouted grain bread and other wheat free breads (spelt, millet).
Avoid foods in the night shade family: tomato, white potato, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco, they contain solanine. Solanine is a poison, a natural carcinogen causing pain in the muscles, and aggravating symptoms. (Red skinned potatoes are recommended)
Sugar substitutes: aspartame, saccharine
Avoid food preservatives and additives as much as possible.
Animal protein: avoid red meat, avoid antibiotics in poultry & eggs if possible in your area.

Read all food labels so you know exactly what you are consuming.
Foods you must avoid at first: then slowly add one at a time back into your diet. It's recommended to keep a journal of symptoms when you introduce a food and avoid ones that cause trouble.
Dairy products and foods containing dairy: use Rice Dream or Almond milk to substitute.
Sugar: check all food labels other names for sugar include: brown, granulated, powdered, dextrose, fructose, galalactose, glucose, glycogen, lactose (milk sugar) maltose, mannitol, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, sorbitol, sucrose, barley malt, honey, maple syrup, molasses, maple sugar, date sugar, turbinado sugar. Use stevia in replace of sweeteners.
Nuts: peanuts, pistachios, and walnuts
All fruits: and fruit juices, start back slowly to fruits by eating apples, grapefruits, strawberries, and melons.

What you can eat freely unless you are allergic:
eggs
all vegetables and legumes (except mentioned above)
fish/shell fish
whole grains: kamut, millet, brown rice, wild rice, spelt, teff
nuts: almond, brazil nut, filbert, macadamia nut, pecan, pine nut
poultry: chicken, turkey, Cornish hen, duck, goose, game birds

Eat four to five small meals a day this gives the body the fuel it needs otherwise the body will rob the muscles of essential nutrients.
Drink water a gallon a day if you can, distilled only.
Psyllium: take one Tbls in large glass of water with aloe juice 2X a day to promote and maintain healthy bowels and rid the body of toxins.
Essential Supplements: use nondairy, gluten, yeast, artificial color and flavor free only. Click on supplement names to purchase
A 5,000iu (protects the cells)
B complex, high potency, time released (helps restore healthy nerve function)
C at least 2000mg-5000mg a day (antioxidant, reduces inflammation & pain)
Calcium 2,000mg a day (strong bones, aids in neuromuscular activity)
Coral calcium if you can get it
D 400iu daily (relieves muscle spasms and pain)
E 400-600iu daily (antioxidant, maintains healthy nerves)
Glucosamine 1.5g a day (joint health, involved in formation of tendons ligaments, and bones)
Chrondroitin 1.2g a day (important in creating cartilage in joints)
Magnesium 750-1000mg a day (prevents: depression, dizziness, muscle twitching and weakness)
Lecithin 1,200mg 2X a day (helps nervous system, and is involved with neurotransmitters)
Herbal Supplements:
Primrose oil (essential fatty acid, anti-inflammatory) take as directed
Acidophilus friendly bacteria use non dairy formulas (maintains healthy digestive tract)
Spirulina high protein microalgae (contains nutrients that cleanse and heal the body)
Coenzyme Q10 100-200mg a Day (improves tissue oxygenation)

Topical Remedies: Rosemary oil and lavender oil diluted with water or witch hazel rubbed onto the skin can relieve pain.
Zoltran* (Caspian cream) made from hot peppers can relieve pain (caution! apply with cotton this cream is hard to get off and really can burn) it works to inhibit substance P thought to be linked to pain.
Moderate Exercise is crucial in for recovery, in addition to physical therapy walking or hydrotherapy, depending on where you have the RSD/CRPS, at least three times a week (do not overexert yourself to much, this can aggravate symptoms) followed with gentle stretching. Try to stretch every day,

Fibromyalgia patients exercise is a must, it will help with insomnia and remove the toxins trapped in the muscles. Symptoms will improve after your body gets used to exercise. (Candida infection click here is common in people with fibbromyalgia). In addition to the above listed supplements you should take Melatonin, sustained release formula is best (promotes a sound sleep) take 1-2 hours before bedtime, use as directed.

Please show this information to your Doctor and get approval before following this advice.

Birthdays and Stuffy Noses

So How Does Everyone like my new Layout? I had a blast putting it together....it needed to be done. I went to the Doctor again today and I am downgraded to a bad case of Bronchitis. Which is better then what we thought it was. They gave me a breathing treatment, a shot of steroids, some more antibiotics, and another inhaler.
My RSD has been the last thing on my mind lately because I have been soooo sick. Things have been ok as far as I can tell. I am going back to Cleveland Clinic to get a second opinion on my RSD. I am going Dec.17th. Hopefully my mom can come with me cause I hate going to that kinda thing without her.
My birthday is this upcoming Tuesday and I am going to be the BIG 22! I am excited yet nervous at the same time. I don't know what is gonna happen if my friends have anything planned... I don't really care either way. I am just tired and need to sleep.