Back Surgery - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Elaine · 01-10-2003, 12:43 PM

I won't tell you the horrible details of my surgery, instead I will tell you the "bright" somewhat comical side of it. I awoke from surgery with bright lights glaring in my face. Since it was so close to New Years, my first thought was that I had been out celebrating New Years. The lights came on and that means the bar is closing. Here I am telling my doctor how wonderful he is because he came to the bar to celebrate New Years with me, before surgery. I proceeded to ask him, how could I go to surgery, drunk?? OMG, was I embarrased when I realized what I was saying. The next day, he commented on what a wild time we had on "our" party.
Next day, office personal came in to tell me I didn't have insurance and there was a co-pay of $46,000. I told them to call and talk to the right people and they would find I did have insurance. Shortly after, someone else came in and said I couldn't go to rehab as I didn't have insurance. The next day, I could to to rehab as I did have insurance. I politely told them if I couldn't go to rehab without insurance, now that I do have it, I refuse to go. So after six days in the hospital, I came home. Yesterday, I lost it. Pain built up and I literally broke down and cried. I called my husband at work, crying like there was no tomorrow. He was shocked as I have never broke down before. Too much pain finally got the best of me, a body can only handle so much and I think I finally reached my limit. so much for the "tough ole me". Anyway, just want you to know I survived, although right now, that doesn't mean much. I am miserable...
Better days ahead.
Thanks to all of you for thinking of me....
Love Elaine

Kortney · 01-10-2003, 01:58 PM

Dear Elaine,
You are going to be allright. We've all been thinking about you.

It's OK to break down. Let yourself cry if you need to.
You are so, so strong and you have always been a voice of reason for me and for all of us here.

I admire your strength and wisdom of TMJD. It just kills my heart that so many of us have been forever changed by surgery, etc. You've been through so much and you've always handled it well.

You will make it through this.

I just wish I had some words of wisdom for you or knew what to say to make you feel better. I'd give anything to know what to say to make you feel better.

Just know that I'm thinking of you and holding you close in prayer for a speedy recovery.

Please, take care of yourself and get some rest. Post back when you feel up to it.

Take care,

Kortney

Cymy Sue · 01-10-2003, 02:27 PM

Hey Elaine,
Hang in there. Glad you're back. We all know if you have a good Doctor, the Business Office will mess up and cause you grief. There has to be some incompetence somewhere.

No matter how much pain we've suffered, there's always a situation where there can be more than we can bear.
I'm glad you had your husband to call. We're a lot alike. If I cry, it scares my husband. He told my friend the other day that he had known me 27 years and he had seen me cry about 6 times. I do hope your pain is better today and that you will be able to post regularly again real soon.

I wish too, that I knew words that would help you. But from experience, Nobody has ever known the right thing to say to me. Don't feel alone, there are so many in this "board" family that are concerned. If we could help you get through this, we would.

Prayers for a quick recovery and relief from pain,
Cymy Sue

crystalll · 01-10-2003, 05:40 PM

Welcome back Elaine.

We all need a good cry every once in awhile. There's no shame in that.

It seems like you made it through surgery with your sense of humour intact! Those people who had New Years day hangovers had nothing on you!

You take care of yourself.

Crystal

Marlene · 01-10-2003, 08:34 PM

Elaine,

Crying can be a great "stress reliever"!

WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!

Marlene