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Wendy Stone's avatar

As one who has had many experiences of pain, healing is uncomfortable. And trying to change your brain’s opinion can be strenuous work. This may be the reason for so many “stuck,” unhappy, unfortunate and yet “comfortable” people. The PT is very correct. Thanks for sharing.

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Sharon's avatar

We need to change your brain’s opinion of your injury.” That's a great one. So often our pain is the way we see it. There have been a few times in life that I've had an epiphany in how I was interpreting things and it's made a big difference. One of them was that so and so wasn't hurting me (emotionally) I was allowing it. My pain was my own, I could allow it, or not. It was very liberating.

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Thia Bankey's avatar

Day 42 of my ankle injury. Probably not as severe as yours but still. An ankle is not just an ankle. Speedy recovery to you.

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Chris's avatar

Yes, healing is uncomfortable. Just when it´s getting better, you need lot of confidence and steadyness. Cause it takes time, time. I´m working with an operated foot, the doc said, now I can practise to go. I try to tell this my brain and my body. You have to DO it, not only to think of it as a thing behind the horizon. Healing ist ancomfortable, for brain and body.

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Hummingbird Hatchling's avatar

Good timing, Felt like epiphanies for me, too, and I read them right before going to my first PT appointment for a new neck injury.

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Maggie Dale's avatar

Wonderful. Needed to hear that today.

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Anne Rudig's avatar

Physical therapists are a lot about understanding who you are before they even begin to help you heal physically. After my hip replacement, (necessary in part due to years of dance training), mine said, "Healing takes time."

I really didn't want to hear that.

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Izzy | The Sunday Reads's avatar

Those last two comments are so important. I hope you are feeling better :)

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Akka B's avatar

I love your mind.

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Gogo Skywalker Payne's avatar

Love those last two paragraphs. You know it’s our life work.

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Dickie's avatar

Sherman , as it seems always , you tell it so true and honest !! I too had the “ankle” …. 2 surgeries and 2 full years PT and 15 titanium screws and a permanent vertical plate to put it all back together after a fall hiking in the Santa Cruz mountains . I cannot jump off my tailgate anymore but I can walk without a cane even ! One day my PT fine lady named Jane said to me “what’s got you so not nice !?” I said “Jane , (who I really really liked ) I am not really diggin’ this to be honest !” She stopped the therapy and held onto my leg and said calmly “Do you know , I have a lot of patients in here who don’t even HAVE this leg ! “

I said “Yes Sir let’s get started !!!!”

Great woman and a great teacher to me.🙏

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Wow. Your PT is Yoda wise.

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Brad Finlay's avatar

Best wishes on your recovery, may it be a time to return to deeper roots for the body as comparative vessel for world experience - a place with many social bumps, pains and bruises but also with inner wells of resolve, revelation and remedy.

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Amking's avatar

It will be good to be privy to your ongoing recovery :)

I feel your pain. I broke my ankle and tore everything 25 years ago. Had plates put in and later removed. I had to pretend to take my pain killers so people would leave me alone. Hurt like hell, but was better than the opioids. 10 years later I had the plate and screws removed. The very worst were 1. the cast and crutches, 2. the walking cast and riding transit to university and carrying heavy book bags. Surgeon told me I would never do TKD again. A few years later I sent him a signed photo of me doing a flying side kick with that foot at someone's face.

My hero and mentor was the director of the Olympic medical program. He said, "Never disable an able body." I have never forgotten that.

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Reena Kapoor's avatar

So much material everywhere. I agree - those lines are apt for life in every way. Plus I'd add a 3rd one: "Your injuries are not you. They are only what happened to you."

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Amy Dickinson's avatar

It only hurts when you use it.

YIKES.

Thank you for another thoughtful and honest dispatch. You "Misery-ed" yourself!

Sometimes the jokes just write themselves.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks, Amy!

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