Accepting Disability

Don't let it get you down.

Try not to worry so much and use you coping strats.

Distractions and plenty of rest.

Share all your worries with your T.

Positive thoughts!!!

You CAN deal with everything that life throws at you- in the present.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((Sky)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thinking of you

Your post reminds me of one I made not too long ago about One More Thing.....

I'm sorry your having so much trouble right now (((((Sky))))) I hope things will start looking up for you soon.

Thanks much.

I'm overwhelmed. It feels like my choice is : slow boat to china, or a plane that crashes on the way.

Pick my poison?

My psychological disability doesn't allow me to do change well. Sudden and severe change puts me in a tailspin...as does the idea of sudden and severe change...

I have to keep my mouth shut when I see the MD Thursday. Depending upon what all she says, I might have to cancel the mediation in March for the other things I still need.

Lying in bed playing computer game till I'm too fatigued to think... yeah that's a good life, eh?

Sky,
You have a lot of insight , and know that "change" and stress is particularly difficult for anyone who has PTS.
Its easy to forget to pat yourself on the back and let yourself know how well you are coping with all this.

Think about all the things that you are good at.

If your brain insists on worrying-
Get a bowl and put a load of beads or pebbles in it. Then only pick out ONE bead (representing one worry) and think about that ONE only. Its another coping stratergy.

Thinking of you.

I'm sorry. I'm not up to this. Make it all stop, someone?

(Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not trying to compare you and me... )

But I sympathize. Being in constant pain is hard, but because it is the end result of an accident, it must really suck.

(I myself was born with my physical disability, so I definetely can't empathize with what you're going through, but I've got the slightest inkling of what you're probably going through)

Its a never-ending process to accept your disability (or as I like to call it when I'm in a GOOD mood, handicap). I've had days where I wonder what I'm doing with myself, and why I should bother continuing. (This coming from an individual who's never "lost" an ability in her life, I was born without it!)

I don't know what your view on physical therapy is, but I never liked it. In fact, I got so fed up with them trying to "fix" me, that I put my foot down (not literally of course) and stopped it. No regrets for doing it, I refuse to deal with doctors (or anyone in the medical field) who feels that they can treat a person, when they haven't got the foggiest idea WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH!

If you need the assistant, power chair and vehicle, the insurance company better get their butts in gear. I'm pretty sure that its some sort of violation of your rights if they don't allow you to access needed services.

I know its hard fighting for things you NEED in order to live as sane, independent and "normally" as possible, but its so worth it.

Positivity is the best thing. Especially with so much that you've got to deal with. Take time for yourself, go at your own pace.

PS. Family and friends are the best allies in this situation, or any situation for that matter. A good solid social foundation/group can make it easier on you.

Good luck with everything, and hope things start really working out for you soon!!

( I don't know what your opinion on hugs is, but you need it so... *BIG HUG*)

Adios!!
~ Christina

Sky, i really sympathize with you. when you're in a better place, i'll tell you how i have coped and made changes, for the better, in my life of chronic pain. don't give up. xoxoxo pat

If there is anything I can do for you Sky, just let me know.

Hang in there.

Thinking of you

No offense taken. I am just not in a good place to think positively... much about anything in my life. (Thus the mindless computer game.)

Maybe this will pass... usually such upheaval dumps me into a deeper depression... I am trying to guard my thoughts against that, too.

Need to get through today... and then tomorrow morning. (I've decided to go ahead and face the music tomorrow morning...and maybe the MD won't raise the subject (yet) ???? I wish I had had the thoughts to ask my PT what he had offered in my defense when speaking to my MD.

My MD didn't bother to call my T... as her issue isn't a psychological one to her, for me... even though she has accused me of being an addict.

Maybe I'm thinking too much again right now? I mean, maybe she will make me give up driving AND she will not increase pain med because of her false belief?

(I know, those of you who don't know me might think I'm the typical addict making complaints...but I'm not addicted... I'm in chronic pain verified physical cause, 2 doctors insisting I'm not addict...)

Medication or driving. What kind of choice is that? sigh.

Sky, i certainly don'b believe that you're addicted to pain meds. once years and years ago, i decided to go to a famous pain clinic in Houston. the first thing i received from them, after reviewing my pounds of medical charts, was the notification that i would be in detox for 14 days when i arrived at the clinic.

i got on the phone and called that psych doc. we argued for an hour about. i had FOUR children who played every sport, played in the orchestra, etc and we lived miles from town and all i did was drive, drive, drive. and how the hell could i take enough pain meds to become addicted and still care for the children? he and i really got into a heated discussion. he accused me of being in denial. YET there were no entries in my charts of my having scripts for pain meds. the only time i ever took something was about once a month, at bedtime, richard would give me an injection...and that would be because i would be in the fetal position crying my head off. i had no scripts for meds.

i didn't go to the blasted clinic!!!! hold your ground! working in ER, i saw it over and over and over. docs refusing to listen, really listen, to patients about chronic pain. one of the sobs called a spinal cancer patient a junkie one night. her morphine pump had broken and she needed another one. i pulled him into another room and reamed him out up one side and the other. i told him about my experiences with chronic pain and about my daughter's struggle with heroin. i threatened him with a report to the state medical office. i never heard him use the words addict, junkie, etc. again. insensitive fools!

Thank you all.. again.

My MD did not directly address the driving issue.... she agreed, in fact offered, to request an increased number of hours for ADL (assistance with daily living).. in the form of a personal assistant,, cleaning, cooking, arrangments, driving...) So after I discussed with my T what I need... I will send my MD the request for 25 hours a week. (Hopefully I can fax her this info tomorrow...)

HOWEVER... due to my inability to really take care of myself.. I have PNEUMONIA.... My MD was somewhat distracted from my day to day disabilities..with this... (leave it to me to come up with something, eh?) She is highly concerned and upset with me for delaying so long... if the high dose of antibiotics doesn't help by Saturday I have to go and get an xray with possible inpatient treatment...

No wonder I'm not feeling up to anything.

Awwww.

Sorry about the pneumonia. That sucks.

On the other hand, glad you got the stuff you needed to manage your life a bit better and more independently.

Feel better soon. *HUG*

Sky,

I'm so glad that things did not go too badly with your MD, sometimes we spend too much time fearing the worst.
I hope you do get a personal assistant to help you . That would be a very positive step.

I know that sometimes we can get so wrapped up in worrying that we can forget to take proper care of our selves.

Pneumonia! Oh Sky! Please take care of yourself and wrap up warm. Lots of warm drinks,and hopefully the antibiotics will do the job.No wonder you have been feeling so down.

Lots of hugs to you. Take care.

_Sky,
please take those antibiotics asap!! you're right in figuring out why yer not feeling up to anything.....pneumonia is serious!

please post quick note if you do end up going to hospital so that the community will know if you're not here for a couple days.

concerned (and woke up saying same thing as last night in PM ),