Having worked with many different types of people in physical, mental and emotional pain for 25 years, it trends that the longer one has been in pain and is suddenly given “the answer” the harder it is on the back end of surgery. Nothing wrong with that - we all just want to get better (and NOW would be great) as is the case for many of us with ES of any variety.The long wondering, waiting and trying to just live takes it’s toll and the mapping in our brains change giving more physical space in our brain to focus on the “pain”. Here is the GOOD news…our brains have an incredible plasticity and can change back, refocus and unlearn old habits…super cool!!! (If anyone is interested in the latest neuroscience behind pain check out Dr. Adriaan Louw and David Butler - super fascinating cutting edge work with lots of patient resources)
So here I am - in this crazy mess with all of you and reading posts from everyone is so helpful. In a short bit I too will have to take my own medicine so to speak; how many times have I told people that “surgery is just another injury that you have to recover from”. Our bodies have a staggering ability to heal, and they will if we give them the time and space asked for. Talking about our experiences is so very helpful and the guidance by our moderators is priceless thank you Jules and Wendy!
Please feel free to remind me of all this come mid August…always easier said than done when you are in the thick of it And as much as I wish none of us were in this place it has been a HUGE blessing to meet so many amazing people. Okay my blah blah blah is over, thanks to anyone who made it to the end
I’m SO EXCITED to read about your progress here! SO AMAZING how far you’ve come & after such a long time of suffering! God is certainly answering our prayers!!
I continue to hope your trigeminal neuralgia will also take a hike or at least reduce w/o you having to do anything more than facial massage or maybe some myo or fascial therapy.
We will be here for you after your surgery just as you have been for so many others during your time on this forum. August 19th is just around the corner!
I have been “offline” recently dealing with more labored breathing issues. Fun! I went to the emergency clinic Saturday where I was able to get a chest x-ray. The clinic called me Sunday morning to say that I have fluid in the lining of my lungs. Not bad enough to go the emergency room but to follow up with a pulmonolgist. I called my PCP who called me back within the hour!! He said that he wanted me to repeat the x-ray. I did that today and now waiting for the results to be sent to his office.
@redbird773 Thank you for sharing a photo of your lump. I am still a bit swollen but it is not a visibly noticeable as this. I have been doing gentle massages and the lymphatic massages as recommended by @JustBreathe.
@emma This is a very slooooow process. Going into surgery we all understand that its a big deal, but until we are post-op do we really understand how bid a deal it really is.
@sjlash Thinking of you. I hope you are now home and resting comfortably.
My labored breathing is not dire but it has slowed me down and now the snail is winning the race. I can walk to the subway a block away from my house and then a block to my office. I get out of breath as if I was running instead of walking. I am taking it very easy - work and nothing else. If I miss work at this point I won’t get paid so staying home is not an option. I am doing alright emotionally. Maybe lack of O2 and energy is the ticket to staying calm. My appetite is a bit lacking but I am eating.
The xray report did not make it to my doc’s hands because his fax was down yesterday. (I cant believe that people still fax!) I left a patient portal message today but he has not gotten back to me. With everything that is going on I think taking the long road on this journey helps me to look at the big picture.
Thanks my fellow Eaglets.
I will keep you posted.
BG
Goes to show you - you don’t know what people are going through. I bet you looked like an ordinary person on the subway this morning having an average day.
Thank you for the update, BG! So hoping the fluid is of no consequence & quickly reabsorbs on its own.
You have been through a tremendous amount physically & emotionally over the last many months so have much from which to recover. I’m glad you’re being introspective and just doing what you can & not stressing about what you can’t/aren’t able to do at the moment. One step at a time. One day at a time. A snail’s pace is still a good pace. It gets the snail where it wants to go.
I agree on your note about faxing. That’s pretty “old school” at this point! It should have been emailed. Hopefully you’ll hear something by tomorrow.
Sending prayers for you to our loving God as I type.
Hope you get those results & a plan of action soon…keep strong, you’re doing amazingly well with all these setbacks! Just remember, roses need lots of ‘manure’ to grow into beautiful flowers!
It is remarkable the number of people we see each day and have no idea what their life is like. We all do what we can to make it through each day, some have it much harder than others. I am one to smile at strangers - still crooked but still smiling - and feel that it is a gift when I can connect with someone, even for a passing moment.
My problems are so small by comparison to others. I learned last night by email of a good high school friend that another classmate had a double mastectomy then had a stroke. Why does it take the tragedy of ours to put our problems in perspective? It is very humbling.
Indeed. I’m right there with you. I made the mistake of watching a documentary last night of a woman who died of breast cancer. I feel very grateful for my small cross today.
(not to minimize what ANY of us are going through, including myself. I just need to get out of my own head sometimes for a minute)
Good job eating. Endorse yourself for taking good care of yourself during this time. You’re doing it. You’re strong. Calm begets calm.
Hopefully you’ll hear back about the x-ray today.
I agree. My 20 year old daughter is my biggest supporter and says it is ALWAYS OK to acknowledge, feel and express what we are going through even if there is someone else worse off.
I still do not have the x-ray results. The doctor is trying to have it resent now that their fax is up and running. I can say that I do feel slight improvement. Slow and steady - my new mantra.
and reading posts from everyone is so helpful. In a short bit I too will have to take my own medicine so to speak; how many times have I told people that “surgery is just another injury that you have to recover from”. Our bodies have a staggering ability to heal, and they will if we give them the time and space asked for. Talking about our experiences is so very helpful and the guidance by our moderators is priceless thank you Jules and Wendy!
And as much as I wish none of us were in this place it has been a HUGE blessing to meet so many amazing people. Okay my blah blah blah is over, thanks to anyone who made it to the end 
I am getting my brain back for SURE.
all good 