Post-Surgery: When Help Runs Out

Psalm 121:2 – My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

I wrote recently about my sister who had a serious back surgery and the pain she is fighting through.
 
She was released from the hospital with a team of people who have been coming to her home to help with physical therapy and learning how to do things differently because she won’t be able to return to normal living.
 
But now, that help is ending. You can only receive a limited amount of help and hers has run out. She will be referred to regular physical therapy at a rehab gym, but no one will be there for her at home. She is left alone each day while her boyfriend goes to work and that can be scary since she needs help.
 
And now she is really on her own.
 
What happens when help runs out?

• Do you cower in fear?
• Do you become overzealous and do thinks you’re not supposed to do?
• Do you stay in bed all day?

 
Questions that my sister has had to answer. And there are no easy answers.
 
Webmd.com has a couple of good articles on this subject. “How to Plan for Recovery at Home After Surgery,” provides tips on what to do at home after surgery, such as deciding if you need to make changes to your home, stocking up your pantry before surgery with foods with choices your doctor will approve of and those foods that will be easy for you to warm up, making sure you have the right equipment including oxygen tanks, elevated toilets and shower seats. It’s also important to know when you can go back to driving and if and when you can return to work.
 
Webmd.com also posts the article, “Mistakes After Surgery that Slow Your Recovery,” such as one that my sister struggles with doing too much too soon, staying in bed, and not taking your meds as prescribed.
 
Equipped with information from both of these articles will go a long way in a successful recovery when help runs out.
 
Also know, as the Bible verse above says, our help ultimately comes from the Lord and his help will never end. When doubting yourself if you should perform a task after help runs out, ask God to give you wisdom on how to handle each question you try to answer so you will have the best outcome to heal.

Learn more