Don't want to regress.

[Mcnulty]

Hi, I had my ostomy reversal 3 weeks ago and am at home recovering. It's been a success and I'm so pleased to be able to function (nearly) normally again.

 

Just a question really. My confidence and self esteem are v low due to the 6 ops in the past 11 months, I've been told I can't go back to work yet and cant exercise for another 3 weeks. I feel isolated again and increasingly frustrated.

 

I'm scared I'm starting to feel depressed again. I've been told I'm getting a pay decrease of 1/4 of annual wage when I go back, don't know how i'll manage financially. Just wondering if anyone can help me regain confidence and not fall back to the big D again.

 

Many thanks.

[Forever Learning]

Sounds like you have been through alot. The website you linked regarding depression is probably a good start. Read all you can about depression, and self help books regarding self esteem and relationships may be helpful as well. Are you on an anti-depressant? Lots of folks swear by them. Good nutrition is essential as well. It's a shame you can't exercise, but when you are able to, that should give you a mental boost as well. Hang in there and all the best to you. Your physical healing is a process, give it time to run it's course and then re-assess at that point where you stand.

[Mcnulty]

Thanks for your advice mate.

 

I have a history of depression and have been on 3 different ad's.

 

I was going through so much last October with the illness and meds, i decided to come off the ad's, now I have a chance of getting my health back, I am v reluctant to go back on them, they made me feel numb emotionally and I contribute them to my relationship breakdown to be honest.

 

Just feel vulnerable and weary of the future, like i'm on a precipice sometimes.

 

You're right re. the exercise, the sooner i can get back into that the better, it's just frustrating as hell at the minute.