"After a sprained ankle in December, 2006 that didn’t heal properly, I was referred to a local Podiatrist. It was during that time in 2007 while undergoing a surgery that I was told I needed, that things went terribly wrong. He; my Podiatrist; cut into the my Tibial Nerves, nicked my Lateral Plantar Nerve and other unfortunate mistakes were made during this surgery that lead to a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome,” recalled Traci. “I went through agonizing treatments, my Pain Management doctor gave up in 2011 when every Traditional treatment made my condition worse, and my CPRS continued to move throughout my body. I was unable to wear a sock or shoe on my left foot, I had immense pain throughout my back as it had spread there, and I had started getting treated in Frankfurt, Germany. With the help of Stem Cells, and other treatments that I could only get outside the US, my pain levels diminished by half. In November, 2013 I flew to Tennessee to meet with M. Ron Eslinger to be treated at Healthy Visions. It was there that I was finally able to get into remission! It has been only a few months now but I am regaining my life, learning to do many things over again, including walking properly, spending time advocating for Chronic Pain patients and looking forward to moving forward with Motivational Speaking.”
"It is my daily struggle for the last 6+ years, and being one of the few that makes it into remission that inspired me to participate in the Tustin Leprechaun Leap 5k Hanker Run/Walk/Jog on March 16, 2014 to raise money for the U.S. Pain Foundation," Traci explains. "So many people in the United States and abroad live with chronic pain on a daily basis. I hope my story inspires them.”
Traci will make her way across the finish line during this year's Tustin Leprechaun Leap 5k, honoring the over 100 million Americans who suffer with pain on a daily basis. Her story is one of bravery and spirit, and the U.S. Pain Foundation is proud to have Traci as a pain ambassador, working to raise awareness of the issues facing chronic pain patients. She will also have an exhibit table at the 5k for more information on the US Pain Foundation. For those in the Tustin area that would like to meet her, or gain more information on the US Pain Foundation please stop by!
My Cause, My Goal, My Thanks –
2014
Tustin Leprechaun Leap 5k Hanger - Run/Walk/Jog
My Cause…
Is
to support education, research, treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
(CRPS) and Neuropathic Chronic Pain Diseases, and advocate on behalf of Chronic
Pain conditions.
Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) aka Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a
highly complex neurological disease of the sympathetic nervous system, a
malfunction of sorts, and a chronic pain disorder. Characterized by chronic, unyielding pain,
the disease is often progressive: degeneration of muscles, bones and skin;
joint thickening; acute and diffuse osteoporosis; tremors; vasospasms/failing
temperature regulation; severe arthritis; limb swelling; piercing muscle
spasms; severe fatigue…
Over
time, these changes can become irreversible, causing loss of mobility and
partial or total disability if the patient doesn’t receive proper treatment.
CRPS
also has a direct effect on circulation, and appears to be associated with
serious disturbances in the immune system.
It has been started to be associated with autoimmune syndromes as of
lately.
This
disease, the most perplexing in its category, often creates emotional,
financial, and physical devastation.
On
the McGill Pain Index, CRPS ranks among the most agonizing, debilitating
experiences a body can go through. It
rates higher than child birth, losing a limb, etc. The touch of a sheet against your skin is an
agonizing pain that cannot be described, wind blowing across the affected areas
of CRPS brings on piercing pain, when it affects your foot or ankle you are
unable to wear a sock or shoe, if in your upper extremities-back-torso area
forget about hugging a loved one… These are just examples of how the pain
effects the patient(s) lives. Yet, most
people have never heard of this syndrome / disease, and there are over a
million people affected with it in the United States alone!
My Goal…
Is
to advance research, actively seek new and innovative treatments and increase
understanding of not only CRPS/RSD, but all neuropathic chronic pain
diseases. CRPS/RSD is too often
misdiagnosed, sorely misunderstood, and still unrecognized to this day by many
physicians.
There
is no cure. Someday I hope there is a
change to that. At this time, the best
to hope for is remission.
Proceeds Go To…
Supporting
research, education, advocacy, and community outreach through the US Pain
Foundation. We will have an exhibit table at the Leprechaun Leap 5k
Run/Walk/Jog too. Please stop by for
more information and to say, “Hi”.
It
is the goal of the US Pain Foundation to be the leading source of support and
hope to those living with pain and their caregivers. To do this, they offer positive programs that
empower, educate and inspire while offering compassionate attention to patients
– and their loved ones. We strive to
educate patients, their friends and family, medical professionals,
legislatures, and the community about the debilitating effects of CRPS/RSD and
other neuropathic chronic pain diseases.
My Thanks…
To
all who make this event possible, for those that are willing to take the time
to realize how important this cause is and to help raise funds and
awareness! Whether you are willing to
partake in the Tustin Leprechaun Leap 5K Hanger – Run/Walk/Jog – with us at the
US Pain Foundation, or would prefer to just make a donation, your assistance is
greatly appreciated. I hope this will
inspire other Chronic Pain patients, since in Nov. 2013 I was unable to even put
on a shoe!
If you choose to join the Leprechaun Leap please go to the following
thread to register. When
there please notate: “-pain2014-“ to be
registered under the US Pain Foundation: www.leprechaunleap.org.
If you would prefer to mail a donation, please send it to: Traci Patterson - PO BOX 586, Tustin, CA 92781. Please make checks payable to Traci
Patterson as we are pooling all funds to make a lump sum donation to the
US Pain Foundation.
For more information on Traci’s story, please feel free to visit: www.RSD-CrspForum.blogspot.com. Here you will find a
recent post that will give you more information on CRPS, Traci’s story, and how
CRPS affects patients. Please look at previous posts for more information.
As a volunteer Ambassador, and a CRPS patient that was
diagnosed in 2007, I know I speak for all Chronic Pain patients who are in
constant, and most times, insurmountable pain:
The gratitude will
never end…
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