two years and going strong

This Saturday marks the two year 'anniversary' of my right leg injury and diagnosis of RSD. I'm not complaining and just wanted to share what happened and what I've learned. I injured my right calf muscle (ruptured it) at the Atlanta airport in '06. From there the "wonderful" docs at the Outer Banks Hospital, the hematologist, and Ortho doc I saw here at home told me "I'd never walk again, order a electric wheelchair, and forget ever working as a nurse again". I was also told "there was no need to finish college" - I'm working towards a Masters in Psychology- because "I'd never be able to use it". I 'self-referred' myself to UNC in Chapel Hill in February of 07 and the rest is history. I underwent two rounds of some strong med for bone cancer, wore a cast for 1 and 1/2 years and was given more pain meds then I would ever use.

All this time I was angry, depressed, and wanting to blame others instead of just taking charge. I finally had a long talk with God. I know you aren't suppose to make deals with God, but I did anyway. I promised him that if he would just let me walk enough to play with the babies- I would stop complaining, be happy, and try to realize and learn from the lessons he is trying to teach me. This was last July. Two weeks later I was able to walk enough to go to Wally world alone- yes, that means drive my car.. I continued to get better and now I am working at least three to four days a week- as a cardiac nurse, I swam in the ocean last fall (this was a big deal as I was told never to go there because of walking in the sand and the waves), wore sandles, vacationed in florida and the Bahamas this past February, and chase (as in run) around with my babies all the time now...

Here is what I've learned: God is stronger than anything, RSD is not a definite diagnosis, never listen to doc's if they tell you "you can't do something", to let others help you- I had a hard time with this and even crawled to the bathroom because I refused help in walking there, never give up your dreams- I just started my senior year in college, and the most important lesson is "Let God do his work in your life and all will turn out just as he planned". Of course it may not be what you planned for your life- but remember- God knows best.. Sherri