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17

Jun

*Just Spotted…
*(Or in this case: ‘Just Spotted (Yesterday)’ thanks to a shaky flight and a very small & smiley young chicky (nope, that word is sooo not getting edited out) upon arrival.
While doing a quick Physical Therapy walk (I did however, mean to edit that ‘quick’ out, but I’m thrilled to have missed it. When can we not use a laugh, am I right!?!) around my Chicago hotel block before heading to catch a plane to California.
A touch of foreshadowing thanks to Mr. Jonathan Adler’s Needlepoint ‘Victorian Love Pillow’ as upon my arrival I was met by my LOVE-ly boyfriend indeed, Mr. Josh.
That’s right Universe! Come to Mama…
RELATED POSTS:
- Just Spotted: OH HAPPY DAY! 
- Just Spotted: In Santa Monica

*Just Spotted…

*(Or in this case: ‘Just Spotted (Yesterday)’ thanks to a shaky flight and a very small & smiley young chicky (nope, that word is sooo not getting edited out) upon arrival.

While doing a quick Physical Therapy walk (I did however, mean to edit that ‘quick’ out, but I’m thrilled to have missed it. When can we not use a laugh, am I right!?!) around my Chicago hotel block before heading to catch a plane to California.

A touch of foreshadowing thanks to Mr. Jonathan Adler’s Needlepoint ‘Victorian Love Pillow’ as upon my arrival I was met by my LOVE-ly boyfriend indeed, Mr. Josh.

That’s right Universe! Come to Mama…

RELATED POSTS:

- Just Spotted: OH HAPPY DAY! 

- Just Spotted: In Santa Monica

13

Jun

Happy Feet in Chicago!
I feel as though Chicago is slowly & currently taking the place of home, what with the amount of time spent here for medical treatments and what not.
However, you know what? Looking back on what Chicago has managed to do to my health - that’s kind of somewhat alright with me.
I mean…
Do we see that I’m wearing normal sandals? Or rather, sandals with a little heel, no doubt!
Gone is the era of the public wearing of my sad looking black bedroom slipper things with every single outfit, no matter how bright, how sequined, nor how ladened with tropical flowers (oh yeaaaa, I’m that girl).
Sadly, it didn’t seem to matter to the world that they were oh-so-expensive & UGG’s, everyone just seemed to find them oh-so-overpriced & UGG-LY - which was devastating seeing as longtime readers know my adoration, adulation, & admiration of beautiful footwear. 
And what about the color of my feet in this picture? Yes ok, I’ll give you the fact that there’s a slight difference in color (if you don’t know what I’m talking about click here or here for a greater understanding of CRPS/RSD symptoms), but hardly so when compared to this! Or how about this.
I love you Chicago!
Until my next craving of sun, sand, & sea at least. ;) xx
RELATED POSTS:
- Happy Feet Floating

Happy Feet in Chicago!

I feel as though Chicago is slowly & currently taking the place of home, what with the amount of time spent here for medical treatments and what not.

However, you know what? Looking back on what Chicago has managed to do to my health - that’s kind of somewhat alright with me.

I mean…

Do we see that I’m wearing normal sandals? Or rather, sandals with a little heel, no doubt!

Gone is the era of the public wearing of my sad looking black bedroom slipper things with every single outfit, no matter how bright, how sequined, nor how ladened with tropical flowers (oh yeaaaa, I’m that girl).

Sadly, it didn’t seem to matter to the world that they were oh-so-expensive & UGG’s, everyone just seemed to find them oh-so-overpriced & UGG-LY - which was devastating seeing as longtime readers know my adoration, adulation, & admiration of beautiful footwear. 

And what about the color of my feet in this picture? Yes ok, I’ll give you the fact that there’s a slight difference in color (if you don’t know what I’m talking about click here or here for a greater understanding of CRPS/RSD symptoms), but hardly so when compared to this! Or how about this.

I love you Chicago!

Until my next craving of sun, sand, & sea at least. ;) xx

RELATED POSTS:

- Happy Feet Floating

03

Jun

I’m slowly rapidly becoming a part of of the Chicago Skyline. xx

I’m slowly rapidly becoming a part of of the Chicago Skyline. xx

17

May

“Whatever Happens, Happens…”
Lauren (you met her yesterday) and I just before entering the hospital yesterday to find out my not such great news. So close we almost look like the same person, huh?
I was in an extreme amount of pain the moment that the above photo was taken, but you know what - here’s how I choose to look at it (Hint: it really helps!): My Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (CRPS/RSD) may be hurtful, but my friendships bring me joy, hope, love, faith, and strength. A wicked combination that nothing - no disease, chronic illness, sickness, pain, etc. - nothing, is stronger than. 
Living in and out of hospitals, being cut into every other month (with no cure to be found) - there is at times so little that brings us laughter, so little that brings us hope, and, even in the best of us, there may be at times a fading or flickering faith that things might not get any better. Chronic illnesses, ugh. I had no idea before I got one, but boy do they take it out of you. 
If there’s one thing I’ve learned though it would be this - chronic illnesses put stuff back in to you as well. And it’s damn good stuff too! 
And as for love & joy… well I think there’s always enough of those to go around - chronically ill or not. :)
Be well,
Danielle. xx

“Whatever Happens, Happens…”

Lauren (you met her yesterday) and I just before entering the hospital yesterday to find out my not such great news. So close we almost look like the same person, huh?

I was in an extreme amount of pain the moment that the above photo was taken, but you know what - here’s how I choose to look at it (Hint: it really helps!): My Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (CRPS/RSD) may be hurtful, but my friendships bring me joy, hope, love, faith, and strength. A wicked combination that nothing - no disease, chronic illness, sickness, pain, etc. - nothing, is stronger than. 

Living in and out of hospitals, being cut into every other month (with no cure to be found) - there is at times so little that brings us laughter, so little that brings us hope, and, even in the best of us, there may be at times a fading or flickering faith that things might not get any better. Chronic illnesses, ugh. I had no idea before I got one, but boy do they take it out of you. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned though it would be this - chronic illnesses put stuff back in to you as well. And it’s damn good stuff too! 

And as for love & joy… well I think there’s always enough of those to go around - chronically ill or not. :)

Be well,

Danielle. xx

18

Apr

Just Spotted…
Chicago: when you look like this, I couldn’t think of a better place to heal… xx

Just Spotted…

Chicago: when you look like this, I couldn’t think of a better place to heal… xx

07

Apr

Need Some Inspiration…?

On Monday morning, I was rushing out the door, acting like an absolute manic-maniac, headed for what had seemed like my own long-awaited Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) permanent implantation surgery. 

I cannot tell a lie. Especially to you. I’m guilty in that I was of course running a tiny bit late. (But, hey! before you go judging on my lack of time-management, just know that I’m West Indian, and so it is innate. I run on Caribbean time, which is most likely a diagnosed medical condition…). I’ve spoken many times on The Project3x5, about how things always tend to work out for the best though, and so it was just as I was buttoning my coat, that I heard Matt Lauer’s smooth, buttery tones (swoon! am I right ladies?!) announce that  Guiliana and Bill Rancic would be the upcoming segment: opening up about Giuliana’s cancer, her double mastectomy, and how the disease has affected their romantic relationship and daily lives…

I was stopped dead in my tracks…

I HAD to listen. I was compelled to. It was exactly what I needed, at exactly the perfect moment. 

As brave as one may think they are, and as ready for any surgery one may feel to be - even if something is going to supposedly change your life in the best of ways -  whether consciously or subconsciously, you have qualms.

The Rancic’s are truly inspirational, and I love that they have such an important & positive message to deliver. Whether extending it to your relationship, or simply using it in your everyday life - we can all (and should! all) learn from their attitude of “don’t sweat the small stuff”. 

Beautiful souls. Such hope… xx

05

Apr

“Dōmo Arigatō, Mrs. Roboto!” : the Permanent Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) is Officially In! xx

Well, the permanent Spinal Cord Stimulator is officially in!

Between all the electrical leads going into my spine, and now having to be controlled by a remote for the rest of my life - I feel like a robot*.

Not surprisingly, due to the enormous pain in my spine, I’m still in the hospital, though hopefully I’ll be getting out sometime tomorrow. I figured that I’d be in pain though, so I’ve prewritten some random posts that’ll continue to pop up should I temporarily not be able to write. I’d never leave you guys high and dry! Keep checking in… x

I honestly cannot thank y’all enough for your amazingly supportive messages. Each and everyone of you have come to mean so much to me. I’ll be sure to update you properly once I’m able, and to write back to those of you who very kindly wrote in.

Loads of love,

Danielle xx

(image via Etsy)


*(Ps - The cheesy ‘Styx’ lyrics in this post’s title seemed perfectly fitted to my new robot persona. I know, I know… I’m well-aware that I’m a massive nerd for loving this song. My sister has had 25 years to drill it into me. But it’s TOO good!!! If you’ve never heard it, or if you’re a huge fan too click here to listen on YouTube. I don’t own the song nor did I upload it. xx)

02

Apr

Today’s directions! See you once I arrive… xx
(Image via Hecticity)

Today’s directions! See you once I arrive… xx

(Image via Hecticity)

01

Apr

I Flunked the Debunk… 
Yippee!!! Boohoo!!! 
Tomorrow morning, the permanent Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) is going to be implanted. I attempted to debunk my feelings on it while flying to Chicago earlier today, but I was unsuccessful in a huge way… 
I’m all over the map. Nope, not just physically - mentally too.
I’m a human mood ring, one moment hot, the next moment cold. Nope, not just physically - emotionally too. 
Tomorrow should be interesting, eh? xx

I Flunked the Debunk… 

Yippee!!! Boohoo!!! 

Tomorrow morning, the permanent Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) is going to be implanted. I attempted to debunk my feelings on it while flying to Chicago earlier today, but I was unsuccessful in a huge way… 

I’m all over the map. Nope, not just physically - mentally too.

I’m a human mood ring, one moment hot, the next moment cold. Nope, not just physically - emotionally too. 

Tomorrow should be interesting, eh? xx