"How Low Can You Go?!"

[Elaine H]

Hi Guys

It's been 7 weeks since my surgery, and I've been feeling really down and low during the last few days. I know I was told that this was a possibility, but I'm not very good at being miserable! I just wondered if anyone else out there that has had surgery felt that way for a little while, is it pretty common, or is it this dreadful English Summer we are experiencing here, and this depressing wet windy Autumnal weather!!

I know when we are in Egypt or Malta, I always feel like a dIfferent person, I don't even like being in dark rooms, I love the sunlight, the hotter the better for me, I have heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD, my brother actually gets it pretty bad, but I'm usually pretty upbeat all the time! As I write, it has just started raining again, and I'm sick of it! Apart from the fact that I cannot find a job anywhere, I'm pretty skint, and missing my dear late mum, life is ok! Things can only get better, but I can't help feeling a wee bit low!

Hope you are all ok, and I've not been too bad with my seizures, apart from the other day, but there you go, too much red wine, you have to enjoy life sometimes eh?! Thanks for all your valuable support guys!!

Lotsalove

Elaine x

[Bernard]

Sorry to hear you are feeling low Elaine. I read somewhere that it can take the brain up to 2 years to fully heal/recover from brain surgery, so maybe things will get better as the brain heals more.

Can't do much about the weather or the march of time (or circle of life). I hope you get some sunshine (both literally and figuratively) soon.

[Elaine H]

Hi Bernard

Many thanks for your good wishes, shame we can't push a button and get wall to wall sunshine eh?!

I'll be ok, I've got a fantastic partner to look after me, it's just that I miss him when he's at work firefighting! If only I could get a job! I'll keep you posted, and thanks again!

Cheers
Elaine

[haird18]

Elaine,
It took me six months to completely recover and feel whole again! I kept having really bad auras that were worse than before surgery and I started having severe depression for awhile and it was hard because I was alone and no support from family or friends. It was like fighting an up hill rocky battle with no end in sight1 But, I survived that year with mental help and learning to accept things would be hard for awhile! Then I used positive reinforcements and that's why I am here today. Elaine don't give up keep hanging in there you will surpass this!
David

[Cint]

Hi Elaine,

I had a left temporal lobectomy years ago, and I fought the depression for quite a while. I think it is quite common, though, for people to go thru depression after surgery. But of course, with the miserable weather, that probably doesn't help either. It more than likely will improve, just be patient with yourself. (((HUGS)))

Cindy

[alivenwell]

I've heard that there are indoor lights that help fight seasonal affect disorder. They are not exactly ordinary light bulbs, but some people claim they really help.

Anybody can feel down on a rainy day. Unless that person is a farmer who really needs to water his/her crops.

This is worth researching. I'll have to see what types of lighting people generally use for SAD. I read it somewhere, but it could have been in a magazine.

[Meetz1064]

to you, Elaine.

Unfortunately, it will just take MORE time, I think for things to get better. Always try to look for the "sunny" side of things. And if you need a laugh, think of a dog chasing his tail, or something equally absurd.

Hugs,

Meetz

[Wally]

[Elaine H]

Hi David

Thanks for your support darling! I know it will pass, but I just feel so low, and I had the most awful aura this morning, it really freaked me out, apparantly, I actually called out, I used to do that a lot, it was like I was shouting at it to go away. I see my brain surgeon in London 20th August, I have a few questions for him, I'm still pretty swollen up, well my right eye is, I look like I've been in a fight, it's been 7 weeks since the operation, and I know the swelling went down a lot quicker than this after my first surgery.

I hope all is ok with you? I just wrote to you in one of the other rooms, not sure which one, surprise surprise, I can't bloody well remember!! It was about memory anyway, and how crap mine is!

I've been out job hunting today, I've got to register with some employment agencies next week, but there isn't much about at the moment, it's only a small town that we live near so I'll have to keep looking, hopefully something will come along soon.

Anyway, you keep your chin up eh? Keep in touch, and we'll all continue to offer each other support and friendship, it really is a wonderful website isn't it?

Lotsalove

Elaine x

[ashmstng]

Hello Elaine!

I wanted to sorry for how you feel and to know you are not the only person that has felt that way especially after the surgery. After I had mine, I have never felt so depressed and not myself that I wanted to be left alone and of course couldnt be. Everyone had to come and see me and see how I was. When you feel that way, you have to be the one to pull yourself up. Just like you say, "lift your chin up high." You are one person that has helped me push forward and be stronger to not be depressed. I know hearing words from others help better than hearing it from your own mouth. LOL..

I hope everything gets better for you. Just know you are not the only person. I went through depression and just got over it. I may have my ups and downs. I am just not as bad as before. I have been going to the beach to listen to the waves, walk, collect shells, and just relax to not think of anything else. Think positive and do what you like to do as hobbies to get your mind off of it. I know it may be hard. I wish you the best and you are in my prayers. Take care!

[Elaine H]

Hi There

I so wish I could go to the beach!! Although we have plenty of water round here at the moment, unfortunately, it's coming down on us. I love the sound of the sea on the shore, my dad lives down in Devon on the South coast, it is truly beautiful there, he has always loved the sea.

I really do get different moods from the weather, and I thrive in the sunshine, we hope to eventually get a place over on The Red Sea in Egypt when we are a bit older, I defy anyone to feel miserable over there, God it's paradise! I bet Florida's lovely too though eh?

I feel a lot better today, I know we can think ourselves out of these lows, and like I said, I am totally useless at being miserable, I am and always have been the life and soul of the party, the first one up dancing, the first one to get a bit drunk, the first with the dirty jokes, I have always pitied people I've known in the past who suffered with depression.

I did something positive this week though, and I completed my 4 year University Certificate in Health Science (Epilepsy Care & Management) I did it as part of a Distance Learning Course where you study from home, but it was bloody hard work! I really did put a lot into it, and the tutors gave me a bit of extra time to complete it because I had the brain surgery, I will know if I passed at Xmas, keep ya posted, I would so love to go round schools and businesses and educate people about understanding epilepsy, I can't bear the thought that so many people are going to suffer the prejudice I have over the last 22 years, and I have to help do something about it!

Thanks for your kind words, I'm not going to let this beat me, I've got details of a few more jobs to pursue, I just know if I can get back to work, life will gradually return to normal, I can get some money in the bank aswell, I am totally skint, not much fun that, and it does look like we'll have to cancel our cruise next March!

Keep in touch, and I hope you are continuing to get stronger every day, we are pretty tough people aren't we? I get it from my dear late mum, she was a tough cookie! Lovely with it too! Catch up again soon.

Lotsalove

Elaine x