Posted 8/21/2013 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I have recently recovered from relapsed Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which I was diagnosed with in 2009. After 4 years of living in uncertainty and in the face of possible death, and through gruesome chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant and radiotherapy, it's safe to say it had a definite traumatic impact on me. I suffered from severe depression and even suicidal thoughts at frequent times. I was forced to hide it from my mother because of her own suicidal nature (we feared the worst for her) and my alienation from my father an brother left me alone more often than no. Luckily I'm getting better with each passing day and every breath I can take in much easier than before, however this is not what i wanted to email you about.
A very close and dear friend of mine, recently suffered the tragic news of finding out that her mother has been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), due to a surgical mishap and her condition is awfully severe. Of course this was devastating news for my friend as well as her mother and has left the family in tatters. Her mother, a former volleyball player and coach, is no longer able to coach or even perform the daily chores around the house. She has been completely handicapped in the sense that she feels a burden on the family and this has left her feeling severely depressed and suicidal at times as well. My friend came to me, because she hoped I could act as some sort of liaison between her and her mother to try to translate to her how her mother is feeling and how to deal with this delicate situation, seeing how I went through similar psychological, emotional and physical circumstances. I did as much research as possible to understand this insidious disease, as well as try to reach out in my community for some volunteering opportunities to sit down with CRPS patients (to no avail though). Now I am short of options and ideas on what else to do to be able to be more equipped in handling this delicate situation. I understand the feeling of uselessness and depression that patients would deal with but I need to be understand more about this CRPS, I need to help. I want to help...I have to help.
please help me.
Thank you
Adam