Food For Thought

Ok RSDers, you've read about how I always try to be prepared for the worst case scenarios when it comes to my RSD, but now ... oi vey ... there is something that has recently been brought to my attention that I hadn't thought too much about in the past, outside of blockbuster movies and tv shows, that is.  I have never really fashioned myself as a Conspiracy Theorist, but what if ...

What if the Mayans and the Hopi are right?  As much as I would like to believe that the Mayans just ran out of rock to write upon, what if their prophesies are correct?  What if something happens on December 21, 2012?  Do I think it will be the end of the world?  Um ... no.  But what if something happens to the one thing that connects us and comforts us all on a daily basis?  What if we become cut off from from our friends and loved ones and medical personnel because the World Wide Web crashes indefinitely and we, the RSDers, are left with what's in our medicine cabinets, refrigerators, and pantries.  What if all of the things that hold us together at the seams become unattainable?  Would you be prepared?  How long could you last without your meds, your electric blankets and heating pads, your docs, your therapies, your support groups, or your treatments?  If we were suddenly thrown into a situation where we were our own first, middle, and last line of defense against the beast that is RSD, could you hang tough?  (I went through this back in 1999 as well, but my line of thinking has advanced and matured in the last 13 years to allow for the possibilities and the potential of success.)

I'm no prognosticator, but, if you know me, then you know that I do believe in being prepared.  That is why I am writing about this today, October 1, 2012 instead of December 20, 2012.  I'm not trying to scare anyone or throw anyone into an absolute panic, but what if...?  For me, I feel pretty confident that I could hang tough for a while, although I don't know that for sure.  I have already started taking action in regards to the herbs that I use most for fighting pain by testing my brown thumb.  I've decided that it's not black anymore since I've been able to grow herbs, fruits, and veggies for the 1st time ever, but my thumb is definitely not green ... yet.  Trust me, I'll get it there.  I have also decided to start stocking up on fabric softener, as well as my sock supply, K-spray supply, Lidocaine cream stash, and blanket supply.  I have my 2 Tupperware thingies of rice and beans for desensitization therapy and my therapy ball.  I hear that there are battery packs that you can buy for things that require being plugged in to electrical current, and that also means buying more batteries ... .. ... for my heating pads, you perverts!!  I have the remnants of my old camping gear for cooking, should the situation call for it, because you know I have to have my coffee.  But now I am stuck thinking about things like food, fuel, and drinkable water.  Seriously??  My brain is going there??  Not fair!!

I should be focused on my upcoming series of blocks on the 17th, how I'm going to get through all of the weather changes of fall and winter, and (duh) today's volleyball matches and the championship tournament at the end of the week.  But I sit here at my kitchen table looking around at everything in my house and asking myself, "Could I live without that?"  What if??

I have faith that I could survive something, for lack of a better term, apocalyptic, if, in fact, it does happen.  I have faith that I have enough time to gather my senses and wits (and a couple extra bucks) to come up with an RSD fighting plan so that if I needed to become fully self-sufficient, I could, even with my RSD.  There's more to being prepared than just making sure that you have enough of any given precaution for a trip to your treatment facility, a vacation, a trip to the store, a drive through the mountains or to the beach, flying, or going to events of any kind ... there is being prepared for the worst of the worst.  Just some food for thought.  I know this may seem morbid, twisted, pessimistic, and maybe even a little crazy. (consider the source)  But ... what if???