Yes, I did it!!!!!

I did it, I did it, I did it.

and I am overwhelmed with proud!

As I mentioned in another post this week, the last painful step of a treatment I was going through was yesterday. Although I have managed a lot of injections and overcame a lot of fears, there was still this one last step to be made.

It involved general anaesthetic and I was concerned. Who wouldn't?

I did it, and all went well. I am home already!

On my way home yesterday I couldn't even think about how much I did in the last 4 weeks. Every time I stopped to think about that I would become overwhelmed with emotion....

So be sure, whatever you fear, you can overcome too. Your body and you are much stronger than you think!!!!!

If you are reading this post, you may be interested in how I managed it.

Well, I didn't have a conscious plan, I just had the determination that I had to do this.

However, looking back now, I think few things helped me. So I thought by writing here I could also help other people who may face a situation that looks bigger than what they think they can handle. 

1. I realised I had to do this because it was necessary.

2. I was aware of the whole process, but somehow I divided into stages and focus on getting to the next stage, rather than the end of the process.

3. When one day the situation was very difficult, I asked for help. And I also did a session of relaxation and visualised the outcome I expected - a way to experience the good results.

4. I focused on the help and good things I received, communicating to the people who helped me how much I appreciated their kindness.

5. Every time I had to inject myself, I focused on the preparation of the injection and made sure I was as precise as possible. I created also a routine of steps. So my mind focused on that rather than on the fact that I was going to have an injection.

6. Only twice I hesitated, and on both occasions I stepped back and calmed down by agreeing inside my head that I was doing something for my own good.

7. I played my piano a lot. I did this because to play the piano I need to focus on the music only. I can't think of anything else, otherwise I make mistakes. In this way, when anxious thoughts were upsetting me, I played piano. This gave me an opportunity to rest my mind.

8. The hospital is more than 1 hour from my home. And I was concerned about yesterday's trip back. During the return trip my worries were causing me to stress. At one point I realised I need a focus for my mind, to occupy it with something and replace my thoughts. So we played a game: to take turns and say one positive word with each letter of the alphabet. I said something with A, my husband with B and so on. Then we went on for a list of animals with each letter of the alphabet, etc. It helped. So, if you think you need to replace some thoughts, try to think of a game or a task you can do with what you have available. The other good thing is that a game can also cause laughter, and that will help too :)

9. In the beginning, every time I did an injection, I stayed quiet in my bed for about 20-30 minutes, giving myself time to relax before going on with the day.

10. I was optimistic about the results. Because to be strong and do the task in hand, I had to think it would work.

Well, I shared here what I learnt, I hope it will be useful for other people too.

There is always someone around to help ...

In my last post I mentioned how I managed to overcome the obstacles.

Recently I was talking about my family and how I felt they could have been more supportive.

And the person I was speaking with replied "How lonely you must feel...".

To that I had to reply "I don't feel lonely, it would not be right to say that. Although I didn't have the support I expected from them, I had a lot of support from people I didn't expect to help me. Three of my friends have been extremly supportive, my husband and his family have been there all the time. All beyond my expectations."

What I mean by support is a phone call, a message, a demonstration that someone is thinking of you. More than that, interested on what is happening.

What I have been trying to remember when I feel upset is that good comes from unexpected places. So instead of focusing on what didn't happen, I should focus on what happened, and appreciate that.

It will be only fair with the people that helped me and the good things that happened.