Re: Robin - thems fighting words...YEAH!

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam,and Robin

Ah, what wonderful advice you gave, Cam, and I love your " Don't let

the PERFECT be the enemy of the GOOD " . It's so easy for us Type A

personalities to forget that, but so important to remember it. Thanks

for the reminder.

Robin, I'm so glad you've recognized that each step needs to be

celebrated. Each little step bunched together wind up to be a big

leap. Good for you. You really sound like you are on the road to

recovery.

Keep up the good work. And that's what it is, work. And what a good

feeling it is to see the good results that come with hard work. We're

pulling for you.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hello Cam, , Bonnie, and every member of this group,

Thank you and all who responded so caringly to my posts. I will probably be

half way there in mind for a long time. The physical recovery and that nasty

chronic pain are real tough to distract from, especially since it and

fibromyalgia are with me for so long. Today I celebrate one full GLORIOUS year

since my surgery. I hope it lasts and I don't need surgery again for a LONG

time to come. I am forcing myself to try to do 10 minutes on my exercise bike

every day. I am trying to walk/wander around my apartment when I can't get out

to the mall to walk with my husband.

I'd like to lose some weight, but I will have to be happy for whatever I am able

to do to help myself. It is difficult not to fear that I will never be able to

gain any independence other than to shower, dress and walk. Anyhow, I just

wanted to celebrate Dr Rand's handiwork and my recovery anniversary with you

all. Thank you all for all your neverending support and world of information.

Robin

Salem, MA

>

> Robin,

>

> You brought a tear to my eye. You are half way there my friend. Your words are

the words of a fighter girding for battle. Thats what this is. There is no easy

recovery or shortcut. Each day you can set a small goal. Even if its just sit in

your chair, and smile. It will lift your spirits.....try it. Just turn the

corner of your lips up...I promise you will feel your heart smile. There....one

thing accomplished today!

>

> You said: " I must struggle daily to retrain myself to get back into life. The

road to recovery is long and I realize it takes time. I just need to continue to

claim my seat and be part of this group. I have to believe that I can take

charge of my body and take it slow and steady, and that it (I) WILL get better " .

>

> Let me leave you with one of my favorite expressions. I am, or was, pretty

much an OCD control freak (which I now understand likely sprang from my

experience battling scoliosis as a teen. It didnt help that there were alcohol

issues amongst my parents)...but thankfully several years of excellent therapy

helped me gain some inner peace on many counts. But still ....this saying speaks

to me, and it may to you as well. I believe it captures a lot of the essence of

this long recovery:

>

> " Don't let the PERFECT be the enemy of the GOOD "

>

> Take each forward step, no matter how small or insignificant, and congratulate

yourself and remind yourself that this will be a building block for your next

forward bit of progress. Each success builds upon the previous. And each of us

will be unique in how fast it goes. There may be detours and backsliding and

other medical side roads,but the main thing is to believe in the process, and

commit to being the only person that can make wellness happen. No one but you

can really do anything more than support your own self motivated efforts. It

wont always be straightforward, but measured against weeks and months you will

see positive changes.

>

> I know you will do fine.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>