Pain or Panic...

Well, I have been fighting this diease of Sarcoidosis for over 20 years--always with pain. However, the pain has gotten more intense of the last 4 years! Finally, I have gotten the opportunity to meet with a pain managment doctor! To say it was a great appointment would be an understatement! The doctor listened to everything I had to say and formed a plan for my pain management. I came home with a time-release pain patch and another medication. Hubby placed the patch on my shoulder area as directed, and I waited to see what was going to happen. First, I started getting a strange taste in my mouth. Metallic? After awhile, I started noticing that I wasn't having pain. Okay, this is weird! I layed down in bed bed to go to sleep and for the first time in a long time, I didn't have to toss and turn to get comfortable. Okay, I realized that my bed and pillow had not chnaged, but yet I felt so comfortable--like I was sleeping on a cloud!! I woke up this morning to no pain! I honestly didn't know what I was going to do with all the brain power that I didn't have to use on pain anymore! I was clear headed. What a miracle!! ...Then, I started having panic attacks. Now, sometimes, I have these because I'm blind and need light. And, sometimes I have trouble breathing. I can also wake up from a deep sleep in a state of panic due to a nightmare. But this, I could tell, was worse--and ran deeper! After running home from work to check on me, Hubby had to go back to work, so I thought it best for Alexis and I to stay at my Mom's. Very good choice! As I was sitting in the recliner trying to focus on a movie, it dawned on me that the panic may be caused by the pain patch! After all, the panic was deep, and much more intense than normal. My brother Don helped me get the patch off and discard it. Within 3 hours, the panic had started to subside. But the pain also started creeping back on me. So it was the patch! I cannot even express how upset and sad I was to lose such great pain relief! Soon, I will contact the pain doctor and try again! But not today!!

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Tonight, my 4 children launched an online fund-raiser for me!

Purple Ribbon Fund-Raiser for Sarcoidosis Patient Robin Harp

May be viewed at

http://www.giveforward.com/helpfightsarcoidosis/

 Please feel free to stop by and wish me well!

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Moving down the simple path,

Robin

Countdown to October...

OK, so the picture above is from Google Images, and not one that my family has personally taken, but hopefully that will change in the near future!!

Countdown to October means that our little family of three is planning to spend this Fall making memories together in the Arizona Desert!!! We have been keeping up with many RV blogs and kind of living through them and their lives on the road. Hubby is slowly coming around! In fact, he has been dreaming of Hawaiian Shirts and camping hats, clothing that is not allowed on the dress code at his job! Love it!! I keep telling him that I'm going to "Hippie Him Up"! This may be hard to imagine, since he is a Mechanical Engineer, but I am determined! :)

We are continuing to downsize all of our possessions. This past week, we were finally able to get some of  my Daughter Melissa's belongings to her, including her heavy dresser. Hubby and my Brother, Don, also moved a bed, chest, and chair for my Sister Sherry who just moved into an apartment.

Although I have had my wheelchair around for awhile now, and have been enjoying it when I'm tired, today we've discovered that I can no longer get around on my own steam. Looks like from here out, I am wheelchair dependant--in addition to being Blind! My bright spot is concentrating on going Full-Time RVing and making lots of great memories for our family!!

Just want to give a shoutout to RV Sue and her Canine Crew. In case she reads this, our family LOVES to read your blog and hear of your adventures. And to be honest, I really hope to get to meet you someday!! To all the RV Dreamers out there, if you want to read a really great RV Travel blog, check RV Sue out! You won't be disappointed! :)

Moving Down The Simple Path,

Robin