To - Re: To Gene

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I just wanted to say how much I agree with your thoughts in this

post...

A person't attitude going into the whole process definitely has a

direct impact on their recovery. I can't imagine trying to go through

everything that came up during my recovery with a less than 100% " I

want this " attitude. That drive definitely helped me endure

my " hardships " , and I've had it easy compared to so many others'

experiences. And everyone one knows how much a positive attitude and

positive thought (or Negative!) can impact the entire course of the

experience, including on the surgery table, I think. A negative

mindset accompanied reticence and not being entirely sure about

having the surgery done is going to make the whole thing much more

difficult... it would almost sever to highlight the tough things we

all deal with in recovery that much more. Swelling would seem worse,

the bruising would be hard, everything would be resented, etc.

I was just thinking about posting about having positive outcomes.

Just as you mentioned that there is the factor of guilt that plays

into people's posts, I think it would be almost insensitive and

inconsiderate to continually post about " how great everything has

been for me " .... That is hardly helpful to those struggling through

their own surgery experiences. I notice that most people put a spin

on it when they do post... Like Sara, who said that there is a light

at the end of a tunnel and her post was meant to be encouraging to

others. Some ultra glowingly positive posts could come across as

bragging and almost rubbing salt in the wounds of others so to

speak.... The nature of a support group does involve sensitivity! You

definitely made a good point there! Anyway, I just wanted to

say, " yea, me too, I agree with ya! " Thanks for making some

interesting points.....

That's my two rubles worth (I have a couple left over )

Katja

> > > Thanks. I read all the replies and posts here very carefully,

> and

> > am

> > > grateful for the opportunity to talk to others with a similar

> > problem.

> > >

> > > Please don't misunderstand me. If my posts came across as

> arrogant

> > or

> > > demeaning, that is completely the OPPOSITE of what I intended.

> > >

> > > But let me explain what I mean because it IS very important.

> > >

> > > I have not seen a single person here who would post, " I am 5

> years

> > > post op. All my sensations have returned 100%. Life is 100%

back

> > to

> > > normal, AND I now have a great bite! I am happy, optimistic,

> > joyful,

> > > and ready to encourage others. "

> > >

> > > Of course people here encourage others, this is wonderful.

> > > But are they 100% back to normal?

> > > Have they regained 100% of all their sensations in the

> > chin/lip/cheek

> > > areas?

> > >

> > > WHY, I ask you, have I not seen a single person here who would

> > come

> > > here a couple years after the surgery to report that everything

> is

> > > 100% back to normal?

> > >

> > > MAYBE, just maybe, because " everything " does NOT go 100% " back

> to

> > > normal. " A small numbness here. Just a little food restriction

> > there.

> > >

> > > Let me give you an example. I was once treated for depression.

> As

> > I

> > > was being treated, I found some message boards dealing with

> > > depression. The joy, optimism, and happiness from post-

treatment

> > > members there was dazzling to me, I shared my experiences, they

> > > shared theirs, and when I was fully cured, I felt so happy I

> > wanted

> > > to continue helping others and encouraging them.

> > >

> > > Why, on this message board, don't people ever come back after 1-

> 2

> > > years to report? Are you so sure they don't have any remaining

> > post

> > > op issues? Why am I not seeing enough joy, happiness, and

> optimism

> > > here? WHY?

> > >

> > > thanks a lot