A serious medical issue changes everything. One day you're going about life. The next...there are hospital bills, restrictions, and life as you never knew. The reality is there is going to be some time before you get back to any version of "normal." It's going to take patience. It's also going to take a well thought out plan.
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Here's what you'll uncover:
The Real Impact Of A Serious Medical Event
When A Standard Of Care Violation Is To Blame
Rebuilding Your Physical Routine
Getting Your Mental Health Back On Track
Reworking Your Daily Habits
The Financial Side Of Recovery
The Real Impact Of A Serious Medical Event
Serious medical events hit harder than most people expect.
It's not only the injury/illness itself. It's how it affects every aspect of your life. Work. Relationships. Looking in the mirror.
New studies indicate that approximately 42% of survivors experience PTSD six months following a serious injury. That translates to almost 1 in 2 survivors facing mental health challenges along with everything else they are dealing with.
The physical toll is just as heavy:
Loss of mobility or strength
Chronic pain that lingers for months
Fatigue that just won't go away
New physical limitations you have to work around
But it's even more than that. Your sense of self is rocked. Things that were once routine now require effort, planning, or assistance. That is a difficult pill to swallow.
When A Standard Of Care Violation Is To Blame
Sometimes, a serious medical issue isn't just bad luck.
Occasionally medical malpractice occurs because your doctor or other healthcare provider did not meet the expected standard of care. This is known as a standard of care violation -- and it is more common than you might think.
Delayed diagnoses and misdiagnoses account for 32% of medical malpractice claims. That's almost a third of unnecessary injuries.
When you believe there has been a violation of standard of care, it's a good idea to contact a malpractice lawyer to assess your case and determine if there's one worth filing. Proving a standard of care violation is difficult to do on your own, but it can mean life changing recovery damages.
A standard of care violation might look like:
A misdiagnosed condition that got worse over time
A surgical error that caused lasting damage
A medication mistake that led to serious side effects
A missed warning sign a competent provider should have caught
The lesson to take away? Don't feel guilty. Violations of the standard of care are the responsibility of the provider, not the patient.
Rebuilding Your Physical Routine
Getting your body back on track is often the first priority.
But it's not as simple as hopping back into your previous workout routine or powering through the pain. Doing so will almost always result in setbacks (or worse... reinjury).
The smarter way to do it:
Begin conservatively. Find a physical therapist/rehab specialist who will construct a program specific to your body's needs as they are NOW -- not as they used to be.
Remember: Be consistent. One of the biggest mistakes people make in recovery is stopping their exercises when they start feeling better. Always complete the whole course of treatment.
Some simple ways to get back on track physically:
Follow a rehab plan set by a qualified pro
Move a little every day (even a short walk counts)
Get enough sleep so your body can actually repair
Eat foods that support healing -- lean proteins and fresh veg
You will feel like you are not moving forward quickly enough. That is okay. Small victories count as victories.
Getting Your Mental Health Back On Track
The mental side of recovery is just as important as the physical.
However this goes unnoticed. People concentrate on repairing their body yet they neglect that their mind has to heal as well. Anxiety, depression and PTSD are all very common following a major medical incident.
Here's the thing... You don't have to figure it out alone.
Talking to a therapist or counsellor can be life changing. They can help you work through what occurred and create tools for the difficult days.
Other things that can help:
Joining a support group with people going through similar things
Practicing meditation or mindfulness
Journaling about the recovery journey
Being patient with yourself when the tough days come
Recovery of the mind will have its ups and downs. Some days you will feel amazing. Some days you will feel rough. Welcome to recovery.
Reworking Your Daily Habits
A serious medical issue means your old routine probably doesn't fit anymore.
And that's okay. You're not trying to shoehorn yourself back into life exactly how it was before -- you're working to create a new normal that fits your current body and mind.
Here are a few habits worth building into a recovery routine:
Set up a recovery zone at home with everything you need close by
Break tasks into smaller steps so nothing feels overwhelming
Track your progress so you can see how far you've come
Ask for help when you need it -- family, friends, or professionals
Don't try to measure this new routine to the old. Your body has endured enough trauma. Meet your body where it's at. That will take you to your destination quickest.
The Financial Side Of Recovery
Money is one of the hardest parts of recovering from a serious medical issue.
Medical bills stack up. Income drops. It's a rough combo that hits families hard.
A few things that can help:
Track every expense related to the injury (receipts, bills, mileage)
Look into disability benefits if recovery is going to take a while
Talk to a financial advisor about a realistic recovery budget
Don't accept the first insurance settlement offer without reviewing it
When a medical problem was caused by a breach of standard of care, financial recovery through a claim can provide for both present and future expenses.
Bringing It All Together
Making lifestyle changes after a significant medical event can be challenging. It won't happen overnight, and will take hard work and perseverance.
But it's absolutely possible.
The important things to remember:
Take the physical recovery slow and steady
Don't ignore the mental health side of things
Build a new routine that fits your current reality
Get financial and legal support when it's needed
Life after recovery isn't about returning to life as it was. It's about creating a new life that's just as rich -- and in some ways, better.
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