Me and My Scrap

HI! I’m April and I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a lot of sCraps in my life lately.  I choose to find joy amongst the scrap, and I hope this Blog brings some joy and inspiration to you as well. 

To give you a little bit of background, 2011 was by far the hardest year of my life. The previous year I had been injured at work because of a not so funny attempt at a joke by another person.  I was assured the injury was healing and only temporary. My husband got a new job offer, and though it was exciting, it would be life changing. This job would require us to be apart for several weeks, the first in our 4 years of marriage, and for me to handle a move all by myself while injured.  Sadly, we would have to leave Southern California, (where I spent most of my life) our friends, our  real and church family, and move to a suburb North of Phoenix.  Lastly, it would mean a lot of travel for my husband, and therefore a lot of time by myself.  We took the leap and moved to Arizona. My husband truly enjoys and excels at his new job. God really laid the groundwork for us in this new adventure, and it was obvious we were following the right path. (Oh yeah, did I mention, I am a Christian? This is a big part of my life and my journey.)

In the beginning of 2012 I found a new doctor and continued treatment on my foot, ankle, and lower leg.  The treatments were not working. And my pain continued to be incredibly high.  In February, I received the devastating news.  I had CRPS (RSD) a rare, permanent, and debilitating pain disorder caused by my injury.  Ever since, I have continued to battle a lot of challenges regarding treatment, work comp, and most of all PAIN.  Also in February, a member of my family was thrown in jail, a long drama filled story.  I have a crazy family, I know everyone says that, but trust me some of mine are Looney Tunes at times.  In March all of my Grandmas were in the hospital, and my beautiful Grandmother passed away at the age of 92. She was my inspiration for my hostess nature and my creative spirit. I was heart broken, so my hubby bought me a puppy (our 3^rd dog and 5^th pet). I named him Tamsus, a Lithuanian word that means Dark, in honor of my Grandmother’s heritage. 

My disease continued to progress, and in June I began treatments after my official diagnosis and long-overdue treatment approval.  The treatments included many life altering medications, painful injections, and difficult physical therapy.  With this diagnosis came another heartbreaking change, my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist myself was over, and all of my schooling (I have a BS in Kinesiology, graduated Cum Lade, and was one class from entering a doctorate program for PT) wouldn’t lead me down the path I expected.  I am still fully disabled and unsure what career path, if any, the Lord will lead me to now. Because of my pain and weak leg, I was no longer able to live the active lifestyle I had before. I couldn’t walk, sit, stand, or sleep without pain.  The medications were affecting my body and my mind, and I would spend a lot of days sleeping and watching TV.  I had lost my lifestyle, my hobbies, my future career, my support system, my grandmother, and my joy.  I was so depressed and in so much pain, crafting was the furthest thing from my mind. I had lost my sparkle.

I was going through all of this in a new home, with a new church, and new friends, and a wonderful husband who was often absent.  At the end of the year I received a call from my sister saying that she was in rehab and getting a divorce. This led to me becoming an Insta-Mom of my 10 year-old niece who moved in with us in December. Though this was a huge life change and learning experience, it has been the best thing that could have happened for all of us.  She is a bright and shining star in my life, and brings out the sparkle in me.  I’ve always wanted to be a mom, and one day hope to have my own children, but being Aunti is wonderful as well. Recently, my medications have been changed and I have begun behavioral therapy for my pain, anxiety, and loss. This has brought me back to me, and one of the first things I started doing again was crafting.  I have found this is a great distraction from my pain, and it gives me a feeling of purpose and accomplishment.  I enjoy sharing my crafts and feel that my life can be an inspiration to others who have been and are struggling.  If I can find the joy amongst the scrap, than so can you!
Love ~ April