I have been housebound since the first surgery, which consisted of 2 ruptured aneurysms in my lower right calf. They ended up having to cut out 8 inches of vein and tie them off in order for me to survive. Had I waited any longer, doctor said I could have not only lost my leg but had a big chance of dying.

That was in January, 2001.

I went through a horrible amount of pain , but kept smiling. Life is what one makes of it. I am on many medications and of course at that time went from wheelchair, to walker and to a cane with rehabilitation experts coming to my house. I have pretty much trained the leg to work but it is mostly dead and little anyone can do about that. So, as most do. I learned to live with it, take my medications and carry on.

In April, 2001- I had a doctor appointment. A friend drove me there as I no longer am able to drive. As I tried to get out of the vehicle - which was a feat in itself- I came down hitting my left knee hard on my walker. My leg instantly swelled up to 3 times normal size and I ended up having an MRI done again but this time for the other leg . Findings resulted in a ruptured tendon. Another surgery- back to the wheelchair -walker- and cane and of course more rehabilitation.

In August , 2001- Yet another incident occurred just as I was able to get around a bit better by using the cane but wheelchair for distances and you won't believe this but a cell phone * Nextel * fell off my desk barely knicking my right leg- of course it had to be the side that had feeling- and as I got up to get ice - it swelled and caused me horrendous pain. By the time I made it back from the kitchen with the ice - the pain was too severe and I was once again taken by ambulance to the hospital. My leg as now approximately 3 times its normal size and felt as if it would explode. Doctors kept me in hospital on morphine for 1 week with an ice machine hooked to me , telling me not to move except for restroom priveleges. They released me and sent me home with more pain medications and wheelchair again!

Seemed every step I took forward that year, I took 10 backward LOL. The swelling never did go down and I went through much pain of doctors trying to get the swelling down without yet another surgery by lancing it etc. Nothing worked and it got infected badly enough that I was laying in bed with my legs in the wheelchair, hoping to get at least 1 hour of sleep. Finally, upon another emergency visit a doctor decided to remove the infection. I can not tell you how painful this was. Two surgeries in one week and the doctor had no bedside manners whatsoever. He just yanked the packing out of the open wound which was pretty deep saying he had to to debreed it. Mercy- I bet I hit the ceiling. It was the most inhumane experience any doctor has ever put me through. They released me, back to wheelchair priveleges and I had yet another in home nursing session for yet another 3 months. Many photo's have been taken, which I will upload at a later date. It is not something one should view just after eating.

I am still housebound, still fighting for disability, unable to drive or do much of anything so have now found a new friend - my computer. The best way to define Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is also referred to as EDS- in my eyes - is * China Doll Syndrome *- it is a very rare connective tissue disorder and most do not live past the age of 40 with the type I have. I am using a cane again- sometimes just use walls- chairs, whatever is nearby in house to get around. I am unable to stand for any length of time as it worsens my pain level. I am now on more medications and feel like a living * Jetson *. But through all of this- I joined a league for EDS and hope to be of some help in finding a cure for this rarely known disease so that future EDS patients will have more knowledge about it.

There is so much more to tell, but I will make updates at a later date. Remember always- no matter how bad you feel, no matter how high of a pain level you must deal with daily- you can get by each day with a smile knowing that the Lord never gives you more than you can handle- and there is a reason for everything.

Come back at a later date to read updates on this * China Doll Syndrome* as time permits- I will definitely be adding to this with the hopes that someone else can be helped by what I have learned.

God Bless and remember always to keep a smile on your face- it takes many more muscles to wear a frown than it does to smile and smiling is catching !

Tables Lesson 4 by TJ who got a bit carried away LOL!