Surgery...

[Chris1099]

I have had my 5th wrist surgery. I now have a full fusion. It is so hard to move forward in life now. I joined the marines back in 2001. I lost many friends over seas and like most of us i wonder why them and not me?! I moved on in life working everyday as hard and as long as I could. That is how i justify me living and them not. I prove i belong here on earth. I would be so tired when I get home i would play with my kids, help with homework and go to bed. No time to think.... They always said in the Corps that the most dangerous thing on this earth is a man with nothing to do. I can no longer do physical work.... I feel like i have let everyone down. For the 1st time in my life i can't act like i am superman. I understand i am focusing on the bad... But with a 7 out of a 10 on avg for the pain it is hard to act like everything is ok... It is my right wrist/ my main hand. I can no longer play the Piano,swim, or anything that i once loved... My question is ( if anyone has ever had something like this happen) please tell me what you did to help you move on.  

[persephonedemeter]

I sent you a message in your message center in your "My Medhelp" page relating my experience with a bit more ease.. It's possible to "move on." i also had a lot of surgeries. Thinking catastrophically and "all or none"  was one of the things I had to deal with and not fall into. For me, it wasn't helping me.

[Bubulous]

The difference between mine and your situation is that the limitations that stopped me from doing the things I used to love to do were mental and not physical.  I went to Iraq in 2005 and when I returned I was not monitored like soldiers are now.  I developed chronic PTSD, a bad addiction, and being bipolar I was pretty much screwed.  I used to love to teach martial arts and work with troubled youths.  When I got back from Iraq I tried that but I could not do it anymore mentally.  I was more angry and depressed than ever in my life and I had to let go of things that used to be my dreams.
I replaced some of those things and I still have some happiness deficiencies that I need to fill.
I took up writing and that is what I enjoy doing now.
Your destiny is never ties to any person or thing.  When people or things leave your life... let them go.  It doesn't mean those things are bad, it just means that their part in your story is over.... but they are still part of your story.