Re: Pre-revision jitters

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

This hug is for you! Please keep your head up and try to remind yourself that simply because the past surgeries have not been successful, that doesnt mean this one will be also! I have faith that you will be healed! I also suffer from scoliosis, with corrective surgeries and am currently awaiting yet another surgery to correct the loss of correction in my cervical spine. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Kim

From: KATHYINBK <kathyinbk@...>Subject: [ ] Pre-revision jitters Date: Thursday, December 2, 2010, 10:42 AM

I'm sure that many of you can relate, when I say that I don't have very good luck with back surgeries. As a matter of fact, I have NEVER had a successful back surgery. In 12 days I will be having my fourth...and I'm not doing so well !!! I am really excited about the prospect of having a successful revision... & terrified of having another failure. I live alone & I'm feeling more & more overwhelmed. I had my first EVER panic attack the other day. When you don't have anyone there to help keep you focused, anxiety can get the best of you. Even though I have family nearby to help, I just can't get past having to recover from my last surgery alone (in a different state). My family members have tried to re-assure me that they are just a phone call away...BUT they are still AWAY. I guess, mentally & emotionally, I still haven't gotten over the colossal failure of my last surgery. I seriously might need counseling when all this is over with.

For the moment...I think I just need a hug.......................Kathy

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy -

Tell yourself that you are doing this for YOU and you have faith in your

surgeon and you are going to wake up much better. (well in a few days when you

get moving) Its really mind over matter, in fact your mind is stronger then

your physical body. Always think positive thoughts and don't let the negative

squeese in.

I had a failed surgery in 2007 - I was bent over just as bad after surgery

and I got worse. My second surgery was with a doctor that came from Dr.

Bridwell so I could trace him and find out about him ( we can't look up Canadian

doctors. I knew I was in much better hands. I had my second revision in 2010

and I am straight now, not without pain, but I can walk long distances now and

look at my husband's face when we dance, instead of his shoes.

So, my advice is to talk to people who can cheer you up and support you and

are positive and can make you laugh - you know what they say - laughter is the

best medicine!

You will be in my thoughts and prayers - Elaine W.

>

> I'm sure that many of you can relate, when I say that I don't have very good

luck with back surgeries. As a matter of fact, I have NEVER had a successful

back surgery. In 12 days I will be having my fourth...and I'm not doing so well

!!! I am really excited about the prospect of having a successful revision... &

terrified of having another failure. I live alone & I'm feeling more & more

overwhelmed. I had my first EVER panic attack the other day. When you don't

have anyone there to help keep you focused, anxiety can get the best of you.

Even though I have family nearby to help, I just can't get past having to

recover from my last surgery alone (in a different state). My family members

have tried to re-assure me that they are just a phone call away...BUT they are

still AWAY. I guess, mentally & emotionally, I still haven't gotten over the

colossal failure of my last surgery. I seriously might need counseling when all

this is over with. For the moment...I think I just need a

hug.......................Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

I just wanted to send you said " cyber hug " . I can only imagine how daunting this

feels to you right now, but you are a brave woman and you have the benefit of

knowing the ropes here so hopefully that will be an advantage that you can use!

Have you used your anxiety to its positive advantage by doing the busy work of

preparation? I think its an excellent way to diffuse some of that nervousness.

Knowing that you have everything you need right at hand, as well as your house

set up for your comfortable healing is the obvious stuff.

Have you set up one of those web based accounts where you have a reliable

schedule of helpers coming by during the early going? There are several in our

Files/Links area. I know that even members that had a spouse living with them

found these very valuable to harness the good intentions of their family and

friends. Of course everyone says they will help, and no doubt they mean

to....but life has a way of getting between thought and deed sometimes. You know

that for the first 10-14 days at home you are going to NEED (not want) someone

popping in a few times a day to be there while you shower and perhaps help put

together a meal. Just schedule it now....you can always call the helpers off if

things go better than expected. I sincerely hope you have found a temporary home

away for your poochies so you are not tempted to overdo attempting to care for

them.

Remember my motto (although I in no way take credit for it!):

Plan for the worst...Hope for the best.

It will help you get " there " ...which I just know you will.

By the way...congratulations on quitting smoking. Think of that as the first

step accomplished on the way to a successful revision! Swear you will never go

back cigarettes, they are not your friend.

Take Care, Cam