Exercise- RSD style

With Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD/CRPS), everyday things can become overwhelming. There are so many things I am supposed to be doing to take care of my body that I sometimes panic when I think about all of the other, normal things I'm supposed to be doing, as well. Cleaning, paying bills, even making and eating meals seem to be more than I can possibly handle. ...Then I take things one step at a time, give myself permission to just do my best and let some things slip, and I can breathe again. It's quite frustrating, though. Seven years into RSD and I'm still adjusting to the person I have had to become. I miss capable Monica that chaired the board of directors for a non-profit while taking multiple AP classes, volunteering at a hospital, and serving on multiple councils, among other activities.
At the moment, I am dealing with a pain flare-up that first reared its ugly head in September. I also seem to have developed planter fasciitis. Thus the laundry list of stretches and exercises. First on the list: desensitization. This is actually a four-pronged approach; I am to 1) massage my feet to tolerence (ha!), 2) stretch the planter fascia (to tolerence), 3) soak my feet in water that I gradually increase/decrease the temperature of (to desensitize my feet to temperature, although I've pointed out that this isn't a problem for me), and 4) activate my muscles by both going up on my toes and holding it for several seconds, building up the amount of time I can stay on my toes, and then lying a towel on the ground and using my toes to gather the towel while I sit. With all of these, I am supposed to do the exercise until it becomes painful, then stop and take deep breaths to calm down my autonomic response. Once I've done that, I'm to repeat the exercises. With the exception of the hot/cold (I think), I am to do this about 10 times a day. To treat the planter fasciitis, I am to do the following: toe raises (which I will do according to the desensitization plan), both a "manual plantar fascia stretch" and a calf stretch, more towel gathering, and, after spreading marbles out on the towel, pick up each marble and put it into a cup (with my toes)- then start over with the other foot. I'm also supposed to roll a ball (textured if possible) around with the bottom of my foot (pressure to tolerence) to mimic soft tissue massage. ... That's a lot, in and of itself. Let's not forget the other stuff. I spend at least an hour a day doing deep relaxation. There are pills to be taken twice a day, with optional pills to be taken three other times a day. I sit in front of a "SAD light" (seasonal affective disorder) for 1/2hr every day. There are appointments for doctors, pain psychologists, and sometimes physical therapy (when in PT, these occur 2-3 times a week). Deep breaths and adjusting my posture constantly are just a given, at this point. Additionally, I am trying to take time to meditate, for the sake of my mental health. I *should* be doing core stabilization exercises on the balance ball, but I've let that one fall to the wayside.
...Goodness gracious. I'm getting exhausted just typing all of this out. Perhaps it makes more sense now why I sometimes panic in the morning at the thought of taking care of myself all day long. (Maybe it explains the 2008 calander sitting beside my desk that I've been meaning to throw out for an entire year now, haha.) I am fully aware that all of this is nothing compared to what many with RSD deal with, and my heart goes out to them. It is an exhausting disease, to be sure. I wish I could have some time off, to recharge. Then again, it is painfully difficult to come back to chronic pain if you've had a break- so, I suppose being bombarded constantly is actually the best route to take.
Well. I am off to embark on another fun adventure in stretching and exercising! I should comment- the entire time I've been writing this, I've been rolling my ball around with my feet, gently massaging them. I'm quite proud of myself. One thing to cross off today's list!