Hi Kerenza - this post reminded me of the moment that I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started to count my blessings too.
Long story short - A very good work colleague and friend of mine for over 20 years complained of back ache and decided to take early retirement but before he actually retired he was taken into hospital because he lost the feeling in his legs. He had major surgery almost a year ago because of a form of malignant tumour on his spine and yet only a couple of weeks earlier he had been to visit me!
He is still unable to go home and is bed ridden and in a care home. While he was in hospital I went to visit and that's when I realised how lucky I am. Sometimes it takes something like this to snap out of our own melancholy. I know its an old cliche but its true - there's lots of people worse off than you but it just takes a shock to realise that - yes - we are incredibly lucky to have survived.
My PEs led to pulmonary hypertension yet I'm doing fine on the meds and back at work. I've flown to Dubai to visit my son and spent my 60th birthday in Amsterdam. OK so I do get a bit breathless but I can cope with that when I think of how I felt this time last year!
Lots of love - Sandie x

It's sometimes hard to see outside yourself when you feel so low. This really did touch me and I never thought I'd say it but I'm looking forward to getting my mobility scooter in a week!!

I'm so glad you're doing well on your meds and have been able to travel so much :-) I'm still going through tests so not sure what they will do with me until january (if anything) but I will cope with whatever happens. Love to you and your friend xx

Good post kerenza, thank you, I hope things do look better for you.
Yes, we always find somebody worst off and that does put everything in perpective...Even if our situation is bad.
Be good!!!

Hi Dero

I was a bit wary of posting the article but I'm glad I did now :-) I'm coming up to a year since my PE (beginning of dec) and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.
I hated the idea of a scooter but I am trying to make it positive, I'm going to jazz it up with witchy stuff for halloween if it's here in time and tinsel etc for christmas.

I guess I've had a metaphorical boot up the backside. I'd become quite lapse with my diet, feeling sorry for myself and "treating" myself far too often. If I don't look after me then nobody else will so yup I will try to be good I hope you're doing well?

Thanks for this link! It certainly puts things into proportion for those of us who sometimes get frustrated or down about our post-PE lives. And I think that covers the vast majority of us. We all need to focus on the positive--the fact that we are still here, the lessons we've learned from this experience. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but this article sure does a good job of reminding us what might have been....

Karenza, so good to hear from you and thanks for sharing this post with us. It is so easy to forget that we are the survivors who can still witness this beautiful world even if not in the same health we once were prvledged to have. Have fun on the scooter! I am sure it will open new doors for you as you get some mobility again and can see the world beyond you immediate surroundings. Take care and again, thanks.

Hi Shachar, frustration sure seems to be the name of this particular game! I've definitely learned a few things and also realised what I took for granted.

Good to hear from you too Richard :-) I've decided once I'm reasonably in control of my scooter that I'd like to volunteer in the hospital. I saw so many elderly people who rarely had visitors, I want to give something back so that's what I'm going to focus on doing. Lol I can waffle that much they'll probably be begging me to leave!