Christine Melcher's MySpace Blog |

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoUvV8NiEvo

Monday, June 01, 2009

All I Do Stevie Wonder Chuck Rite?

This is my brother singing at Stevie Wonder's Birthday Party May 30, 2009.

11:45 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Friday, January 30, 2009

Dressed up like a big scary man.

So tonight is a bad pain night. I am noticing a pattern. If I sit for
any length of time in my chair in the living room and play on the
computer I tend to hurt very badly right after and the next day. I am
not looking forward to tomorrow.

Well on top of sleep problems all of a sudden I hear something shaking
or hitting the side of our house. My dog, Bruiser, flips out. He's
getting ansy and starts feeding off me. I am fearful at this point but
must remain logical.

I check out the window, nothing. I stand in my hallway, noise, freaking out.

I go into sons room thinking he is up, turn on light, he says huh all
sleepy, nope not him, turn off light and leave room. Stand in hallway,
little roof noise.

I open the door with dogs mane held tight, nothing, give dog a look,
dog sees nothing. Leave dog in house and walk down sidewalk.

I hear a noise from the side of the house, I DO NOT go to the side of
the house I stay on the outside walkway and look towards the side of
the house.

I see a figure on the huge tree on the side of my house (you know those
trees that stand 50-100 feet tall and shield home from home - well
there is ONE between mine and the neighbors home). Here is a link to a
place that has many: http://www.hotgardens.net/Italian_cypress_back_garden.JPG

I go back inside contemplating waking my s/o. I end up waking him
telling him I am scared and just saw a figure on the outside of the
long tree.

He says huh? But proceeds to say, "I'm not getting up to check it's nothing."

Great. I wait. No noise. I wait some more. No noise.

Okay now slight noise, by the front door. I peek out my front window.

Low and behold a RACCOON is eating from my cats food bowl. Really? How
many times has this raccoon made this trek? How many on a bad night?
Even a good night with the ruckess he made would have woken me up. How
come this one was so bad and noisy that he had he scare the living
bejeebers out of me??

Then to top it all off his trek back is worse then his trek coming and
lots of squeeks and squawks as he works to get himself untangled from
whatever trapped him.

However, this gave me the chance to let s/o hear the sound and realize
that I wasn't just going nuts for one, and that the big scary figure
that was climbing the side of our huge tree wasn't a man but a raccoon.
Sheesh.

Where was the logic when I needed it? What on earth would make me think
that a human being would be climbing on the outside of those long thin
trees that stand so tall?

Hugs. Hope your morning started out different then mine. :)

12:19 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Opportunity to Participate in a Research Study

..

..

..
..

....

Opportunity to Participate in a Research Study

Genetics of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
Also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (CRPS-I)

If your physician or other health practitioner gave you a diagnosis of RSD (CRPS-I), we are asking you to participate in a minimal-risk study designed to understand what causes this syndrome. All ages are welcome,
and children and young adults are particularly encouraged to
participate. This study is being conducted by Richard G. Boles, M.D., a
medical researcher at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the USC School
of Medicine. It is funded by grants from the Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA) and American RSDHope.
Participation is entirely voluntary. This study consists of:

1.
Completing an online survey regarding your health (or if the patient is
a minor, that of your child). [Paper surveys are available upon request
from the RSDSA.]
2. Spitting into a special cup to collect DNA (genetic material).
3.
OPTIONAL: Completing a telephone interview regarding your family's
health history. The interview usually takes about one hour.

Your
privacy is important to us. This study is anonymous, which means the
investigators will not be collecting names, addresses or any other
identifying information. Thus, your data cannot be released in the
future in a manner that could harm you (increased insurance rates, for
example). However, the investigators will not be able to give you
individual results. You will not directly benefit from participation in
this study. However, if we learn more about the genetic causes of RSD,
this could lead to improved tests and/or treatments for this syndrome
in the future.

If you wish to participate, please contact the RSDSA by e-mail (info@rsds.org),
fax (203-882-8362), telephone (toll free 877-662-7737), or postal mail
(99 Cherry Street, Milford, CT 06460), and give your first name and
postal address. The RSDSA will then mail to you the saliva kit,
information sheet, web address of the online survey, andthe special
code needed to access the survey. You can then decide whether or not
you wish to participate.

You can also find study-related documents at www.rsds.org/study.html.

For
general questions, please contact the RSDSA. For questions relating to
the risks and benefits of this research project, please first contact
the Study Coordinator at 323-361-5153 or BolesResearch@chla.usc.edu.

..
..

This
E-alert was made possible by the contribution of the members of the
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA). To learn more about becoming a member of RSDSA, please click here.

..

..

..
..

RSDSA Privacy Policy

..
..

RSDSA Home Page

8:26 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Don't Care
Current mood:

frustrated

I just don't care about much right now. I am just annoyed
with life. I am sick of doctor visits but am grateful for them at the
same time. It will be nice when this annoyance goes away. So I am not
at this time the best person to help, but if you are having problems
please let me know. I have met so many people who can help you. Please
don't suffer alone. I'm not.I went grocery
shopping today and will NEVER go shopping on a weekend or busy time
again. The frustration increased and so did my pain. Too many people,
too many rude people, too many people hovering closely in your space
worrying me about possibly bumping me. Nope no more shopping in busy
shopping times.
Hugs.POST YOUR RSD/CRPS SITE ON MY FORUM:
http://rsd-crps-forum.christineleiendecker.com/user/categories.aspx
Always pain free hugs,

Christine
http://AfflictedWithRSD.com
http://blog.christineleiendecker.com

Enter your email address: Max field length is unknown

Delivered by FeedBurner

2:52 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

http://www.rsds.org/5/news/..2009/January/JournalInquirer_..14_153.html

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Email from RSDS.org "Whose Wedding..."

....

'Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?': Enfield couple's nuptials to be broadcast on Style Network show

By Michelle Firestone
For the Journal Inquirer

....

ENFIELD - Weddings are stressful enough as it is, but imagine having your wedding televised.

That's what happened when local residents Nick and Ginger Hearn got married on Saturday, Dec. 20, before cameras for the Style Network's reality show, "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?"

The couple were planning a high-end wedding when Ginger's neurological condition, known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, began to worsen and the medical bills started piling up.

"We had all this stuff to do but no money," said Ginger, who works as a pharmacist for Partners Pharmacy in East Windsor.

She was diagnosed with the rare syndrome -whose symptoms include severe burning pain, tissue swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch - last April after injuring her knee a few months earlier at the local store where she formerly worked. Doctors are unsure how she contracted the rare syndrome.

"It could have been either from the injury, the knee surgery, or both," Ginger said.

In the wake of mounting medical bills, Ginger wrote to several television networks that broadcast wedding-related reality shows, describing the couple's situation and asking for help with their nuptials.

After being rejected by TLC's show, "Say Yes to the Dress," where brides-to-be search for the perfect wedding dress, the couple was selected by the Style Network to be featured on its show, "Whose Wedding is it Anyway? The show helps couples plan their weddings.

The couple received final approval to be on the show within four days of applying last fall.

"The whole process was very fast," Ginger said.

Ginger, 31, and Nick, 29, met in 2005 while working at the same store - Ginger in the pharmacy and Nick in produce. Nick, who has Type I diabetes, used to have his prescriptions filled by Ginger in the pharmacy.

Ginger's co-workers always thought Nick was cute and wanted to set him and Ginger up on a date, even though they were both in relationships with other people at the time.

But by July 2006 both Nick and Ginger found themselves unattached and finally had that first date, at a bowling alley, and sparks flew. They got engaged less than a year later, on May 23, 2007.

It would be Ginger's second wedding and the first for Nick, who now works as a substitute teacher. Although she was married before, Ginger, who doesn't have any children, didn't look at it as her second wedding because she was finally marrying the right person.

"I didn't compare the two," Ginger said. "The first time I got married for the wrong reasons and to the wrong person."

Ginger wanted her wedding to be fancy and referred to it as a "platinum wedding."

"We wanted it to have the 'wow' factor," she said.

Having their wedding taped by a national TV show meant the show paid for the couple's wedding planner and many vendors donated or discounted their services due to the publicity. The Hearns paid for other basic costs themselves.

"We got good deals on everything," Ginger said.

For example, when Ginger's dress was too tight, the dress shop exchanged it at no additional cost.

As the Dec. 20 wedding date drew closer, things got more stressful, however. The couple didn't have enough time for everything that needed to be done because certain events leading up to the wedding had to be taped for the show.

"It took a lot of time out of the day," she said.

The dress fitting, for example, took about an hour due to the taping when it normally would have taken five minutes, Ginger said.

They also faced other problems.

The original plan was to hold the wedding at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford but for insurance reasons they had to change the location to the Guilford Yacht Club.

The florist backed out just five days before the wedding so Ginger didn't get the exact bouquet she wanted. Shawn Rabideau, the New York City event planner hired by the show, ended up taking care of the floral arrangements.

The winter weather also didn't help things. A major snowstorm struck the day before the wedding, causing the cancellation of the rehearsal dinner.

"I was disappointed," Ginger said. "I was looking forward to the dinner as a way to thank everyone for participating in the wedding."

But on the day of the wedding before more than 85 guests at the Guilford Yacht Club, all major problems disappeared.

Sal Fiore, the justice of the peace from Enfield who married the couple, said things went pretty smoothly.

"The nerves are there; you can't block them out, but they handled the circumstances pretty well," he said.

Although he's been performing marriages for 28 years, Fiore was more nervous than usual this time around because of the presence of TV cameras.

"Going on TV makes you think that not only are you doing the ceremony in front of the family and friends of the couple, but you are doing it for a national audience," he said.

Ginger said that although the taping added extra stress, overall it was an enjoyable experience for her and Nick. Being faced with the cameras enabled the couple to completely analyze the experience.

"It allowed us to talk about things we wouldn't necessarily have talked about," she said.

Exactly when the Hearns' episode of "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" will be shown has yet to be determined, but Ginger said she expects it to air sometime in April or May, whenever season nine of the show begins.

POST YOUR RSD/CRPS SITE ON MY FORUM:
http://rsd-crps-forum.christineleiendecker.com/user/categories.aspx

Always pain free hugs,

Christine
http://AfflictedWithRSD.com
http://blog.christineleiendecker.com

Below please find a way to translate my blog into different languages, a badge given to me by www.WellSphere.com, a way to subscribe via email, and The Invisible Disabilities Advocate banner. In keeping with my tradition, any links posted below do NOT earn my blog, or myself, any money. I find what I put on here to be informative and helpful stuff. Plus it's hard to continue to post and not end up with more stuff that I find interesting on the site. Lemme know if you don't like it, I'll remove it. (majority vote though) It will always be located at the bottom though. The articles above are more important.

.. .. convey_source = "English"; convey_user = "jesdenm"; ..

.... ..

.. ..

7:09 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Waiting for my headache to go away...

I found this article and feel its very relevant to my current headache, only because we were up just high enough. Below however it states that the headache should go away with decent from the mountains, but mine hasn't yet. I will take Ibuprofen and hope it will go far far away. I do NOT want to live with a headache on top of my other body pains.

Hugs and Low pain days to all my friends and readers and readers who call me a friend :)

http://www.achenet.org/education/patients/AltitudeandHeadache.asp

Altitude and Headache

By David W. Dodick, MD, FRCP(C), FACP

For more than 2,000 years, headache has been known to plague those
who tried to ascend to high altitudes. Headache was so common among
travelers along an ancient silk route in Central Asia that a Chinese
official named the area "Great Headache Mountain and Little Headache
Mountain." Contemporary evidence that headache occurs frequently at
high altitude comes from studies of people living in the South American
Andes and from soldiers of the Indian Army who moved frequently between
sea level and altitudes up to 6,000 meters in the Himalayas. In
addition, headache occurs in almost 50% of the thousands of people who
trek, climb, and ski at heights over 3,000 meters (9,900 feet). Even
during the Mexico City Olympics, which took place at an altitude of
2,300 meters, the occurrence of migraine headache was increased when
compared with games staged at lower altitudes.

We now recognize that nearly one in four people who ascend to
2,600 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level develop a constellation of
symptoms referred to as acute mountain sickness (AMS). Headache is the
most prominent symptom of AMS and may be accompanied by other symptoms
including:

Sleep disturbances
Anorexia
Nausea
Dizziness
Vomiting
Fatigue
Weakness

How can you identify AMS?

AMS headache is usually described as intense, throbbing, and is either generalized or in the forehead.
It develops within 6 hours to 4 days of arrival at high altitude and can last for up to 5 days.
The headache is often made worse by exertion, coughing, straining or lying flat.
It may be accompanied by facial flushing, eye redness, and sensitivity to light.

The headache does not appear to be the result of low blood oxygen (hypoxia)
alone because the attack often doesn't begin for hours to days after
arriving at the higher altitude. Furthermore, oxygen therapy is usually
not effective in relieving the headache. Fortunately, these headaches
generally go away after descent to sea level, although in unusual
instances the headache may persist for several days to months.

The mechanism of the headache is not known. Because the headache
resembles migraine, swelling of blood vessels has been considered as a
potential cause, but this has not been confirmed with experimental
studies. Some feel that there is actual swelling of the brain and
increased pressure within the head, but direct evidence for these
explanations is lacking.

Headache may also be a prominent symptom in people with chronic
exposure to high altitude. In a study of 379 adult men who lived for
more than 10 years in Peru at an altitude of 4,300 meters (14,200
feet), nearly half (47%) complained of recurrent headaches, which were
either migraine (32%) or tension-type headache (15%). The occurrence of
migraine and tension-type headache increased with age in this group of
people, which is opposite to what is observed at sea level. Because the
lungs' efficiency in supplying oxygen to the body declines with age in
all individuals, oxygen levels in the blood may decrease even further
with advancing age in those who reside at high altitudes. Since
migraine occurs more commonly when the blood level of oxygen is
reduced, this might explain why headaches seem to increase with age in
those who live at higher altitudes.

Treatment of AMS

High-altitude headache has been shown to be responsive to
ibuprofen and can be prevented by using aspirin, furosemide, or
acetazolamide before reaching high altitudes. Because the headaches
that occur at high altitude resemble migraine, sumatriptan has been
tried and found to be effective in some people.

In addition to these medications, there are several tricks to
avoiding or limiting the discomfort of adjusting to high altitude for
those who are susceptible:

Avoid dehydration by drinking five 8-ounce glasses of water prior to reaching a higher altitude and while at that altitude.
If
possible, travel to a high altitude should be gradual to allow your
body time to adjust to small, gradual decreases in the amount of oxygen
in the air and in your blood.
Sleep at lower elevations
than you play. If you are hiking or skiing at altitudes above 8,500
feet, stay in accommodations below 7,500 feet whenever possible.
For
people who have trouble sleeping and breathing at night, particularly
if AMS has occurred in the past, acetazolamide (Diamox®) can be used as
a preventive treatment before and during the time spent at the higher
elevation.

--David Dodick, MD, is Associate Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ

Updated September, 2008 from Headache, The Newsletter of ACHE. Spring 2000, Volume 11, Issue 1.

11:37 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Stress when there really shouldn’t be

POST YOUR RSD/CRPS SITE ON MY FORUM:
http://rsd-crps-forum.christineleiendecker.com/user/categories.aspx

So hubby and I are going on a little trip together and well I am starting to stress about crap like I always do. My worry meter is spiking and my thoughts are racing and I feel like crying and breaking down.

Why do I go through this? Why can't I just be really excited to be going on our trip? Why do I need to stress about every little thing?

If we didn't pay the money for the room for a couple of nights, I probably would have said okay we're not going by now. Lame huh?

Hope you are less stressed out than I am right now.

Always pain free hugs,

Christine
http://AfflictedWithRSD.com
http://blog.christineleiendecker.com

Below please find a way to translate my blog into different languages, a badge given to me by www.WellSphere.com, a way to subscribe via email, and The Invisible Disabilities Advocate banner. In keeping with my tradition, any links posted below do NOT earn my blog, or myself, any money. I find what I put on here to be informative and helpful stuff. Plus it's hard to continue to post and not end up with more stuff that I find interesting on the site. Lemme know if you don't like it, I'll remove it. (majority vote though) It will always be located at the bottom though. The articles above are more important.

.. --> Begin ConveyThis Button -->.. type="text/javascript">

convey_url = document&183;location.href;
convey_source = "English";
convey_user = "jesdenm";
convey_type = 3;
..>.. type="text/javascript" src="http://www.conveythis.com/javascript/conveythis_v2-0.js">..>.. .. --> End ConveyThis Button -->

..tr> ..table>

5:54 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Friday, December 26, 2008

Thermography is

POST YOUR RSD/CRPS SITE ON MY FORUM:
http://rsd-crps-forum.christineleiendecker.com/user/categories.aspx

I personally have not used this facility and do not know a lot about them. Please do research before using any facility. I am sending everyone this information because I do believe it's best to have as many resources as we can get, and this seems like a very good resource to have. Please pass this information around.

http://www.cvdinc.org

I am willing to offer free clinics and free testing to those interested in RSD info, free testing and clinics.

DITI or Thermography Test Detects RSD. Low Cost No Insurance needed

Got Pain but it does not show on CT Scan or MRI? Its NOT all in your head
http://www.meditherm.com/assets/Pain_03.pdf

Thermography is

Digital infrared thermal imaging is a totally non-invasive clinical
imaging procedure for detecting and monitoring a number of diseases and
physical injuries, by showing the thermal abnormalities present in the
body.

It is used as an aid for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as monitoring therapy progress

Unlike most diagnostic tests, D.I.T.I. is non invasive and there are no risks or side effects.

Using the latest digital technology, images, or 'thermograms', - taken
using an infrared camera. These images can assess the whole body or
just areas of particular concern.

Excellent for those seeking OTHER LOW COST diagnostic tools for Breast Cancer and Mammogram Screening.

Excellent for Pain Detection, RSD / Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Sciatica, Pre and Post Surgical Monitoring

Thermography Has been approved by the FDA for over 25 years! Read more at
http://www.thermologyonline.org/patients_overview.htm

http://www.thermologyonline.org/Breast/breast_thermography_what.htm

RSD Research and Thermography articles
http://www.medithermclinic.com/RSD/RSD.htm

Have Arthritis, Back/neck pain, deep vein thrombosis, headaches, fibromyalsia, carpal tunnel, digestive disorder
http://www.longevitywi.com/thermal_imaging_brochure_inside_final_.pdf

Supreme Court Speaks up on RSD Testing
http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/18/13/14.html

Diagnostic Testing for RSD
http://www.rsds.org/3/education/thermography.htm

Bought to you by Community Vocational Diagnostic Inc

Carla Johnson CCT CTT
www.cvdinc.org

Need a Clinic?
http://www.thermologyonline.org/Breast/breast_thermography_clinics.htm

Always pain free hugs,

Christine
http://AfflictedWithRSD.com
http://blog.christineleiendecker.com

Below please find a way to translate my blog into different languages, a badge given to me by www.WellSphere.com, a way to subscribe via email, and The Invisible Disabilities Advocate banner. In keeping with my tradition, any links posted below do NOT earn my blog, or myself, any money. I find what I put on here to be informative and helpful stuff. Plus it's hard to continue to post and not end up with more stuff that I find interesting on the site. Lemme know if you don't like it, I'll remove it. (majority vote though) It will always be located at the bottom though. The articles above are more important.

..tr> ..table>

2:20 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Monday, December 01, 2008

Thanksgiving, RSD and SCS

QUENCH THE FIRE IS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2008 - PLEASE SUPPORT OR ATTEND!!! I HAVE SUPPORTED.

HERE IS THE QUENCH THE FIRE WALK/RUN/ROLL FUNDRAISING PAGE - If, and only if, you are able to, Please consider donating - If not, Please help spread the word. In fact, you can even make your own page. Check it out. http://www.active.com/donate/quenchthefire/ChristineLeiendecker

POST YOUR RSD/CRPS SITE ON MY FORUM:
http://rsd-crps-forum.christineleiendecker.com/user/categories.aspx

So onto the post. Thanksgiving was awesome. It was the best Thanksgiving my family has had EVER. No fighting - which we are so known to do. We invited many people but no-one came. My mom works at a hospital and they have "Travelers" - basically a traveler is someone who goes around the country and works at different hospitals. So on a holiday it is hard because they have no family to celebrate with. Well my mom invited about 8 travelers. One even started crying and told her parents that she had a wonderful place to go to. Not even she showed up. Lame people. Good thing I didn't rely on them for their promised desserts, right?

So in anticipation for extra guests we made extra food.

In the AM we made a 12lb turkey, green bean casserole, and cinnamon roles (vegan-I'll explain soon).

For the afternoon we made a Tofurkey vegetarian/vegan feast. My brother is vegan and we wanted him to have the best Thanksgiving with us. He was told that the tofurkey was gross, but we worked hard to make it edible for him. I will post below on what steps we took to make it more edible.

In the PM we made a 30lb turkey, green bean casserole, roles, cranberry sauce, salad, ham, stuffing (put in bird), 2 pumpkin pies (homemade), cherry pie (store bought) and apple pie (store bought).

AND NOBODY SHOWED UP THAT WAS INVITED. lame

Our normal little group was there though and that made it special. Hubby's dad, hubby's mom and her boyfriend (yes it's still amicable), me, hubby, boy, my mom, and my 2 brothers. A very happy comfortable group of people. It was a nice day.

For the vegan meal, we bought a vegan thanksgiving in a box meal from Henry's. The tofurkey comes pre-stuffed, and with dumplings and gravy for the sides. You have to wrap the tofurkey in foil and put carrots and potatoes in it. We actually put 2 vegetarian vegetables bullioun cubes, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes. Then halfway through we flipped the tofurkey in the foil. My brother said it turned out GREAT.

I have always done the cooking for this holiday. My brother, mother, and son stood in the kitchen and helped when and where I needed it. I refused to let my RSD keep me from this one day. So I hurt myself BADLY. In fact, after talking to my brother today, it turns out that my mom and him had a talk that day about me.

Apparently the way it happened is my tone in my voice changed and I snapped at someone over something. My mom took my brother aside and said, "She is hurting, her tone is changing and she is starting to snap (actually lashing out). Just stay out of her way, don't argue back, and you will be okay." LOL That sounds so bad. However, it is the truth. As the pain gets worse I tend to snap worse. My mom is good and she really looks out for me. Actually to tell you the truth my whole family does. Hubby is very protective when I start getting bad and doesn't allow anyone to come near me or if I start struggling he helps me so much.

I think I would have gone down hill much quicker had it not been for my SCS. I am grateful for it.

I hope your Thanksgiving went well and that your visit with family and friends was what you needed it to be. Because of it being a holiday and the stress we endure to visit with our loved ones I hope that by this day, Sunday, you are able to rest and build your strength back up for the pending month and days to come.

On that note I just wanted to say that my son's birthday is tomorrow and my birthday is on Tuesday. So when I say rest and build strength for the pending month I mean it LOL, mine starts tomorrow and won't end till the end of the month.

.. --> Begin ConveyThis Button -->.. type="text/javascript"> convey_url = document&183;location.href; convey_source = "English"; convey_user = "jesdenm"; convey_type = 3; ..>.. type="text/javascript" src="http://www.conveythis.com/javascript/conveythis_v2-0.js">..>...... .. .. --> End ConveyThis Button -->

..tr> ..table>

.. --> Survey Component -->

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion

3:00 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos