As many of our friends and customers know, our lives changed on the Monday after Thanksgiving 2006. On the way to work, a negligent driver hit my (Mary Alice's) car head on. Thrown from the car, with several broken bones and life threatening injuries, I was life lined to the University of Louisville. Thankfully, I made great progress in her recovery and returned home to spend Christmas with Gary, Garrett, and our wonderful huge family!
In May of 2007, I was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), caused by the trauma of the wreck. RSD is a chronic progressive neurological condition that affects skin, muscles, joints, and bones. Pain may begin in one area or limb, as it did in my hip, and then spread to other limbs. At this point, the RSD has spread through my entire body, RSD/CRPS is characterized by various degrees of burning pain, excessive sweating, swelling, and sensitivity to touch. RSD involves the complex interaction of the sensory, motor, and autonomic nervous systems; and the immune system.
The pain, shaking, struggle to get through normal daily task, is constant, every second of every day. RSD pervasively changes every part of life. There is a treatment that can help treat the symptoms of RSD, and improve the quality and productivity of my life, but there is no cure for RSD. For the last year I have fought for treatment, however, the hospitals in our area will not provide the treatment. The treatment is a continuous treatment required for the rest of my life, so travel to places that do provide treatment is so expensive that it is not feasible. But, four hip surgeries and two hip replacements done, we continue to hope, pray, and fight to get the necessary treatment. Thankfully, I am blessed with wonderful friends and family who provide amazing unselfish support and encouragement every day.
I do the work on the website and photography. But, my abilities to handle the other aspects of our breeding program, my memory, ability to communicate, as well as my productive time, is very limited. So we really appreciate you directing all inquiries through Gary. We appreciate or fabulous customers who have kept our breeding program an international success! And, if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with RSD and you have questions, please contact me on my facebook page! I will be happy to provide any information and support I can. Thank you!
