Re: Advice and or Butt Kicking needed!

[Guest guest]

Theresa,

Ditto to Liane's message plus a little " tidbit " from another critical

care nurse. Those people who are " reasonably anxious " prior to

surgery seem to fare far better than those who are not. So, hang in

there girl, we're all in this together.

Love, Kathy

In duodenalswitch@y..., " Lili F. " <LiliFrench@e...> wrote:

> ::::::Aiming boot:::::::

> Nah... Theresa, you're experiencing what many do postop (knees,

guts,

> or whatever). I got anxiety attacks preop.. then again at 8 weeks

> postop, when my return to work failed. And I seem to be crying a

lot

> about the events of 9/11 a lot.. and I lost no one that I know of..

> I'm still mourning, though. BTW.. my troubles were at 2 weeks, then

at

> 8 weeks.. so its not always that 5 week point.. I think 5 weeks was

> when I started feeling better. And... I'm a total pain-wimp, too..

> and knee replacement surgery *is* one of the most painful..

>

> I wish I could help you more, but the best I can offer is a hug & a

> shoulder to cry

> on..{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Theresa}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

> Hugs,

> Liane

>

>

> > Hey folks,

> >

> > I need some opinions here. I am in my fifth week of recovery from

> > total knee replacement and have got a terrible case of the blues.

I

> > am beginning to realize that I am not real good at handling pain.

> > The longer it goes on, the more depressed I get. Although I am

> > recovering, and improving, the going is so slow, and sometimes the

> > pain is such a pain in the arse that I find myself lapsing into

some

> > serious depression and blues.

> >

> > The whole tragedy in New York seems to have exacerbated my bouts

of

> > crying although I have not been personally impacted, and then my

> > kidlet ending up with emergency knee surgery, kinda pushed me over

> > the edge.

> >

> > As I read some of your stories, and see that those of you who come

> > home from the hospital doing real well, and then seem to hit a

wall

> > of problems and pain around your fifth week, well that scares the

> > hell out of me.

> >

> > I have been scheduled for surgery October 30th. I really can't

put

> > off the surgery for a number of logistical reasons, one that I

have

> > been off work on benefits for 5 weeks and it really is not

feasible

> > to go back to work and go off work again within the next year!

> >

> > So....could someone kick me in the arse or knock some kind of

sense

> > into me. I am having anxiety attacks...something I haven't dealt

> > with in years and years....and its all around being scared of

being

> > scared! Laughing...does that make any sense at all?

> >

> > Y'all have been a great source of inspiration and information for

> me,

> > and I'm hoping you can help get me over this hurdle!

> >

> > Hugs etc,

> > Theresa