My surgery is scheduled for just 10 weeks from now, but I am worried about my psychological and emotional strength to handle it because of problems in my personal life. My marriage is under considerable stress which affects me daily. My husband has assured me he will "be there for me" for the surgery and afterward, but separation has been discussed and the stress is taking its toll on me. It is likely that when my husband gets back into town (see next paragraph) we will be starting intensive counseling.
In addition, my brother-in-law in another state is critically ill, long term, and my husband has been away most of the last month taking care of his brother, which is putting additional stress on the marriage. There is no end in sight to the problems there, and the situation is not likely to resolve any time soon. My husband may have to put his emotional and physical energy into his brother's situation right up until the time I go into surgery.
I am not in intolerable pain. I remain active although standing and walking bring on significant pain that affects daily life. Nerve problems in my left leg worsen at a noticeable but gradual rate. My curves are progressing and I'm not getting any younger. I see my surgeon in the next two weeks and will then know how much progression has taken place in the last year, which will help me to judge the urgency of my surgery.
My goal six months ago was to spend six months in serious physical and mental preparation for this surgery. I've been able to keep up the exercise and even increase it, but the emotional part of preparation is not going well due to the above circumstances. In fact, I feel quite exhausted emotionally and psychologically. The ten weeks until my scheduled surgery date is feeling like tomorrow and I am getting anxious.
I want to know from those of you who have been through this, given my situation as described above, should I postpone the surgery until my personal life is more settled? Or will the emotional toll of my situation not take as much out of me as I fear? I don't want to go into a surgery this big without considerable strength, both in body and spirit, and I am questioning my ability to bring that strength to the task under the current circumstances.
Thank you for any thought you can share.
In addition, my brother-in-law in another state is critically ill, long term, and my husband has been away most of the last month taking care of his brother, which is putting additional stress on the marriage. There is no end in sight to the problems there, and the situation is not likely to resolve any time soon. My husband may have to put his emotional and physical energy into his brother's situation right up until the time I go into surgery.
I am not in intolerable pain. I remain active although standing and walking bring on significant pain that affects daily life. Nerve problems in my left leg worsen at a noticeable but gradual rate. My curves are progressing and I'm not getting any younger. I see my surgeon in the next two weeks and will then know how much progression has taken place in the last year, which will help me to judge the urgency of my surgery.
My goal six months ago was to spend six months in serious physical and mental preparation for this surgery. I've been able to keep up the exercise and even increase it, but the emotional part of preparation is not going well due to the above circumstances. In fact, I feel quite exhausted emotionally and psychologically. The ten weeks until my scheduled surgery date is feeling like tomorrow and I am getting anxious.
I want to know from those of you who have been through this, given my situation as described above, should I postpone the surgery until my personal life is more settled? Or will the emotional toll of my situation not take as much out of me as I fear? I don't want to go into a surgery this big without considerable strength, both in body and spirit, and I am questioning my ability to bring that strength to the task under the current circumstances.
Thank you for any thought you can share.
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