Fear

[cjsmith]

Today I am facing my fear that the surgery won't help.

It might do very little. Of the problems visible with MRI, only one will be corrected by surgery.

The way I face fear is by making plans. If the surgery doesn't help I will, in this order:

1. Ice a lot. Continue this while trying other steps.
2. Try a heavy dose of anti-inflammatories for a brief period to see what happens.
3. Ask Dr. O about causes/recommendations for the tendon and ligament problems (actual question probably asked earlier, at surgery time). Try injected corticosteroid if offered. Try physical therapy tailored to this problem if offered.
4. Try acupuncture.
5. Stop the ice and try prolotherapy.
6. Go to a pain clinic. This step is the end of the line for me, so the next step is...
7. Accept the problem as permanent and learn to love being a physically inactive person.

Comments

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I'm still crossing my fingers the surgery will correct what it can. If not, at least you've got those plans laid out, and they make sense. :-/

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Facing the fear with plans is an excellent strategy. It helps to reduce the fear from HUGE FORMLESS SCARY THING to something manageable. Good for you, and good luck.

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

i know those lists well. i pretty much moved right to #7, and live there most of the year.

*hugs* if you want 'em. or should we just start doing shots instead?

[tsjafo.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

I understand, and list making is a 'thing' for me, too.

*hugs*

[kimatha.livejournal.com]

I too find listmaking therapeutic.

I hope that after you heal from your surgery, you will have to toss this list in the trash because it has become totally and completely irrelevant.

[vito-excalibur.livejournal.com]

What everybody else said. All good hopes. Definitely think coming up with plans is an excellent way to cope with fear.

[portia.livejournal.com]

sorry to see you are struggling with this. i'd be looking forward to it! you -could- be free from pain once it's over with! that's a good thing!

i've thought of trying #4 for my headaches but haven't quite gotten the nerve to try it yet. maybe after we move away from hicksville... and #5 sounds interesting as long as they've really stopped using the red hot pokers!

[erisian-fields.livejournal.com]

I'm wishing/hoping/intending the best outcome for you and lots of happy dancing and running (once you heal, of course).

[hnybny.livejournal.com]

What can I add but "hope for the best!"

[butterfly-smile.livejournal.com]

~~~HUGS~~~~~

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I tend to allow and plan for every possibility, myself. It helps me stay calmer in most situations. It sounds like this is a very similar habit.

[sharya.livejournal.com]

The injected corticosteroid has worked wonders for many of my friends with pain management problems, so hopefully it will work for you as well.

*hugs*

[abenn.livejournal.com]

You're in my thoughts and prayers already, and I shall certainly keep that up.

[dieppe.livejournal.com]

*HUG* Good luck and I hope it works out however it works out! :)

list making, other options

[moriamerri.livejournal.com]

I didn't mention it before, but list making is totally normal to me also. Not weird, a normal and useful strategy. I just read this list, and it is especially good. #7 is great, although if it were my list it would be amended to include "while looking for / evaluating other options". (Yes, someday I get too tired to do that, but hopefully that day is just prior to death. For me. Not because I can't love life some limited way, but because I am hopeful for new things.) I haven't read enough about your feet issues to say anything "informed" here, but I suspect trying ozonated oil or ozone gas with the application method called "bagging" would be a good thing to add to your list. Do NOT expect any of your doctors to be informed about this. I didn't mention it sooner because you sounded on a clear path for surgery. Again, ask for info if you want, I can talk about this for a loooooong time too.

p.s. #4 acupunture

[moriamerri.livejournal.com]

I have an acupunturist who I greatly love, near downtown Palo Alto. Ask if you'd like her phone number. I've not had her treat anything like your pain stuff so no recommendation there, but she is wonderful personally (attitude wise, about everything), and is a great herbalist. You're welcome to ask anything else you want to know.