Hello and thanks for posting,

I can understand what you are saying. I think it is quite common to mark, or closely revisit significant events in your life, that have affected you in some way. Difficult memories do tend to diminish with time. 

These episodes usually pass, as we pass the date and life moves on again. Try to seek the support of family and friends. Just chatting and acknowledging how you are with it right now, is often enough to have unburdened yourself from it. The NHS website every mind matters has useful tips on looking after our mental health, and there is phone App based support. There is also a section on anxiety that might be useful. Should you have a difficult episode/day, there are support helplines such as the charity MIND that can help.

I hope this helps,

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Yours sincerely,

Vanda

Thank you. Yes, just unburdening, I think, can be enough - till the next time anyway :-)

Hi Mary I saw your post and thought I'd drop you a few lines , I tend to think its kind of normal and you are not being paranoid ,as we who have followed your story so far  know how traumatic this has been for you and your husband ,goodness you have been through so much over a long period of time ,all the delays all the setbacks of appointment  changes in the early days ,I don't know how you coped with it but in my opinion you remained very calm at least that's how I read your messages and even right up till you went in for your big operation ,so maybe its all coming out now which in a way could be a good thing instead of bottling it up ,

Your recovery has been long and not surprising after what you had to go through ,its a good job you had one of the top surgeons in the Country and maybe sometimes you just feel so grateful remembering the process and then it all comes out and it is scary knowing what they had to do to save your life ,nothing short of a miracle and I know you are eternally grateful and thankful and its been amazing following your story ,I hope you sail past the days leading up to the Anniversary of your operation knowing that you are still in safe hands and this year instead of the worry of a big operation you can look forward to a lovely Christmas which you missed last year ,make it special for you and your husband you could start planning little things for the future to help stop you thinking too much about the past ,

As usual Mary its a pleasure to catch up with you again ,we are always here ,take good care of you both Jenny x

Thank you, Jenny. I have printed your reply to store away and look at it again. At least on my birthday this year, at the end of this month, I won't have to have a drain put in my chest. :-)

Sometimes when you look back you must think how on earth did I get through that ,its unbelievable really ,how on earth did your Surgeon know what was what and what went where and now here you are a year on with it all behind you , I'm sure you'll go from strength to strength and have a lovely Birthday and a wonderful special Christmas ,bye for now Mary no doubt we'll catch up again soon xxx