Recovery is a Bumpy Road

This morning I can tell I'm healing.  As excruciating as that first sneeze was, I'm feeling better, and able to move around a little quicker, more upright, and with far less grunting and groaning.  These photos are still pre-surgery, I'm not feeling that well yet, but I'm on my way.

I've had a few friends over the past few years go through serious injuries with prolonged recovery time and I've always been grateful not to be in their shoes, casts, wheelchairs, etc.  I had plenty of broken bones and long illnesses as a child, but as an adult it all seems so daunting and a whole lot more difficult.  When speaking to my friends, two-thirds mentioned struggling with depression during their recovery time.  While it's not something we hear much about, depression and anxiety after an injury or serious illness is quite common and can affect up to 40% of patients post-surgery.   If it's so common, why is it so unexpected?

For most people coming out of an injury like a broken bone, torn muscle, or for an emergency surgery such as mine, the main issue was that of bodily harm, so the it stands to reason that the main focus for one's family and doctors is on physical health and recovery. But, it's important to take status of your mental and spiritual health during this time too.  We are after all triune beings made of body, soul, and spirit.  One area cannot be affected without affecting the others as well.  

While we may not have actual memory of a procedure, our bodies always know they've been through a trauma, which is why we may have feelings of depression or anxiety without knowing why.  Then again, there are some very common feelings that can trigger these reactions such as, pain, fatigue, medical bills, loss of income, feeling guilty about having to rely on others, interruptions to our beloved schedules, feeling helpless, etc.  All of these things are normal and sometimes they go away over time, but it's better to be aware of what's going on and deal with each emotion as it comes up.

 

I'm only a few days post surgery and it was a mild surgery at that, but the feelings are still there.  I'm trying to take things slowly and just focus on resting right now.  The bills, and everything else will wait.  For someone like me, who likes to be organized and always working at something, even if it's leisure, everyday-all-the-time, this is really difficult.  If you're like me, then just know that in time, all of these other matters will get sorted.  In my next post we'll talk about ways to combat post-surgery/injury depression. Right now, it's time for a much needed nap.

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