Think good thoughts

I am a HUGE fan of the power of positive energy and thinking. Jack's favorite artist of all time is Collbie Caillat or as he calls her "Bobo". We have been subjected to countless hours in the car with the same 2 cds repeating non-stop. While it gets annoying, hearing the same songs again and again... There is one song that never gets old. "Think good thoughts" That is the soundtrack that I want my brain to be programmed with. We have heard it time after time...but that's it...that's the message I want to think, practice, and remember always. I don't have time now, but I will post more on the power of positive thinking later.


                   "Think Good Thoughts"

I'm just gonna say it,
There's no using in delaying,
I'm tired of the angry hanging out inside me,

So I'll quiet down the devil,
I'm gonna knock him with a shovel,
And I'll burry all my troubles underneath the rubble 

When I'm alone in my dark dark room,
I have to tell myself to,

Think good thoughts,
Think good thoughts,
Imagine what the world would be if we would just,
Think good thoughts,
Stop the bad from feeding,

I won't let the negativity turn me into my enemy,
Promise to myself that I won't let it get the best of me,
That's how I want to be
Na, na, na, na

I'm not saying that it's easy,
Especially when I'm moody,
I might be cursing like a sailor till I remind myself I'm better,

Cause words can be like weapons,
Oh and you use them, you regret them,
Oh but I'm not gonna let them take away my heaven

And when I start feeling blue,
I remember to tell myself to,

Think good thoughts,
Think good thoughts,
Imagine what the world would be if we would just,
Think good thoughts,
Stop the bad from feeding,

I won't let the negativity turn me into my enemy,
Promise to myself that I won't let it get the best of me,
That's how I want to be

I just think rain on a summer night,
Stars filling up the sky,
Sunshining on my face,
Making a secret wish,
Finding my happiness,
That always makes me hold my head up high,
I wanna hold my head up high,

I wanna think good thoughts (Imagine what the world would be if we would just think good thoughts)
I wanna think good thoughts (wouldn't that be something?)
I won't let the negativity turn me into my enemy,
Promise to myself that I won't let it get the best of me,
That's how I want to be
Na, na, na, na

Heartbroken

It is with much sadness that I share the tragic loss of my sweet, loving, kind, witty, amazing sister Natalie Ann. We lost her a little over a week ago on Saturday, 7/27/13. Life will never be the same for our family.

This is what I tried to say at her memorial. I am so sad, it barely came out of my mouth and I'm not sure the words were audible between my sobs of despair...but I tried! Natalie we miss you and love you forever!!

In early 1983 I was an 8 year old girl. I was the “baby” of the family for as long as I knew, and I was happy in my role. But my mom told me life would change in 9 months time and there would be a new baby in the house. I was devastated at first, but my mom gently explained that I would always be her “baby” and soon our family would have more love to share. With me being completely obsessed with all things baby(For those of you that do not know me, I have always been and still am obsessed with babies. My dolls were the only toys that mattered). I was easily convinced that a new baby was just what we needed. The idea became more and more exciting with each passing month. My mom’s belly grew full with a perfect baby girl growing inside. We would read books and look at pictures of how “our baby” was developing inside. We would feel her kick and watch her move every night. I was completely enthralled. I could hardly wait for the big day when we could bring our baby home. I thought, “Wow, we get a real baby to cuddle, feed, and change.” My dolls weren’t nearly as fun as a real baby would be…I was sure! On November first 1983 it was a crisp morning, and the baby was finally coming. On the way to the hospital the sky was filled with the most amazing rainbow you have ever seen. It was a sign! The heavens were smiling down and illuminating to announce our precious angel Natalie Ann had arrived as a gift from God! She was the most beautiful, perfect baby I have ever seen and our family was now complete...it's so broken now. Over the years, I took great pride in loving and caring for my baby sister with all my heart. I wanted to help with everything. Everywhere we went people stopped us to look at and touch our "Gerber baby". As the years passed Natalie would sometimes complain that she felt she had 3 mothers and no sisters. While that made me sad, Juliet and I were so much older, I could understand her sentiment. No matter how she felt, I always loved her to pieces. I wanted the best for her. She grew into a smart, sensitive, witty, hard working, funny, kind, and amazing woman. With all she had going for her, I was certain she would find her way even as she seemed to struggle at times. I really thought she would work it out to live her dreams. I am devastated that she felt so hopeless and has left us prematurely. She wasn’t finished. There is so much more to life than she got to experience. My heart is broken and there is a piece missing that only she can fill. Dearest Natalie, please know how much you mean to us, how much you are loved, how sorry we are that we couldn’t help you, and know you are missed deeply until we meet again.

Cental Pain Syndrome resources

I consider myself very lucky to not be affected by the "pain monster" that is CPS. One of my dear friends is afflicted with this monster and she has put together a number of resources that she has come across. I am passing them along to you in hopes that if you have CPS, you can connect with others and benefit from this list Patti has assembled. If you know of any additional resources, please post them in the comments so that others may benefit from your wisdom.

CENTRAL PAIN SYNDROME (CPS) RESOURCES



Patients Like Me: Central Pain Syndrome
http://www.patientslikeme.com/condition ... n-syndrome

CPS UK (Central Pain Syndrome) Blog
http://centralpainsyndromeblog.wordpress.com/

Weeks after Stroke, Some Patients Develop Chronic Debilitating Pain

http://oc1dean.blogspot.com/2013/05/weeks-after-stroke-some-patients.html

Central Pain Syndrome Alliance
http://www.centralpain.org/

Fluoxetine Reduces Central Post-Stroke Pain: A Comparitive Pilot Study 
http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-ZTYZ200405006.htm

I Have Central Pain Syndrome
http://www.experienceproject.com/groups ... rome/97371

Central Pain / Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Central- ... &filter=12

The Fires of Hell Blog
http://thefiresofhelldotwordpressdotcom ... com/about/

Central Pain Syndrome Foundation
http://centralpainsyndromefoundation.com/

Central Pain Foundation / Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CentralPainSyndromeFoundation

What Central Pain Syndrome is Like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEV6FompwZg

CPS Sufferers Not Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1TRXgW5jcw

Central Pain Syndrome "Message from Hell #1: How Are You?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h54Q5AQJ-Ss

A Day in the Life of Central Pain Syndrome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ed6hazqNYU

Central Pain Syndrome: lives in constant pain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIG0KywCwIY

Central Pain Syndrome: I am one among 100,000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD26ZAYh9Ck

Central Pain Syndrome: lifestyle changes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJQkfUrm ... tube_gdata

 
Patti's Ongoing Journey @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvtkxDFICO0


Patti's Story @ http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Informati ... strap.aspx