Carly Braun is a little closer to her trip to Germany.

The Folsom resident won't visit the European country for a sightseeing tour. Rather, the journey is for a medical procedure that should help relieve her of a very painful nerve disorder called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.

On Saturday, many of Carly's friends gathered at Hammonton Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 headquarters to help Carly move closer to the $36,000 she needs for treatment and trip costs.

"I'm just very grateful for everyone's support," said Braun, who was first diagnosed with RSD six years ago after injuring her arm in an automobile accident.

Since June 2001, Braun has been under the care of Dr. Robert Schwartzmann, a neurologist at Drexel University. The treatment that Braun is seeking is not approved here in the United States, and her medical insurance will not pick up the costs.

"The procedure will have me induced into a coma for five days. During that time, the medicine will be used to reduce the extreme sensitivity in my nerve endings," Braun said.

Braun hopes to go to Germany by year's end.

"Right now the disease is spreading to my left arm," Braun said. "There's an awful lot of pain. Sometimes it is just hard to move."

The disease will unfortunately keep spreading and could eventually cripple her.

But Braun is optimistic that the procedure, which includes ketamin infusion, will work for her.

"Everyone who has undergone this procedure has had positive results," Braun said. "They are all continuing to live a new life. I do have good days and bad days, some blessed days with no pain or symptoms at all, but those days are becoming few and far between."

If you are interested in donating, make checks payable to the Carly A. Braun RSD Medical Fund, care of The Bank of America, 222 S. White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037.

Originally published November 2, 2005

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