"I did it scared because there was something more important to me than avoiding my fear..." Yes, this is so important. Fear can hijack a whole life. Mine started as a fear of driving on the freeway, then highways, then anything outside of my very small town. Life becomes as small as we let it. The last three weekends, I have made myself drive an hour out of town, on highways, not freeways yet, but each time I am less afraid. I don't need to go out of town, but I want my mind back.
Thanks for writing this, your posts are always helpful. And Pants is the best, such a brave girl.
I have never had issues with dentist until I had a serious issue six weeks ago resulting in the dentist calling in ambulance as we were thinking it was heart attack because of the chest pains. It was my first experience with a panic attack this debilitating. I now go to dentist with music, that of people I know “singing to me” and I can make it through. I also have found mindful ways to manage, pick up cues before going into unmanageable and or avoiding situations where I struggle if they are not critical. That is my journey now.
Susan!! That must have been so awful! I'm so glad you're okay. I use the agate bead bracelet my mother-in-law gave me as my mindful grounding tool when I'm at the dentist. I love the idea of using Kristin's music or the Resonate tracks to self-soothe. This must have all be so hard to experience, but I want you to know that I find you to be such a resilient and adaptable person. And Pants finds you to be the best person in the world outside of her moms!
Honestly, if this piece was filled solely with pictures of Pants I still would’ve hearted it 🤣. Seriously though, your words were great as always!
And, as was my case, sometimes the brain tumor is indeed a brain tumor. If you’re lucky enough to have a wonderful partner in those situations that helps a ton also. I know it did me.
I'm really glad you're here to write this comment, and to do all the other things you do in your life! For me, it was the really bad headache that indeed was a stroke. Not what I expected in my mid-twenties but it's what I got. Cheers to us surviving!
Man Chloe, life is weird sometimes. When I was very young my oldest sister had a stroke. We’re both old now…but I was talking to her today and learned for the first time that today is the actual anniversary of her stroke. I’m a little taken aback to be honest.
This post could not have been more timely as my doomscrolling had me like a deer in headlights! 😱🤣 Thanks for the well needed pep talk on managing fear. 💚
I LOATHE the dentist but for no good reason like yours, just the associated pain. They apparently have a note in my chart saying that I’m pain intolerant. Even with significant amounts of lidocaine they still manage to find nerves. I go because it’s good for me. Life in a body, oy. 🙄
"I did it scared because there was something more important to me than avoiding my fear..." Yes, this is so important. Fear can hijack a whole life. Mine started as a fear of driving on the freeway, then highways, then anything outside of my very small town. Life becomes as small as we let it. The last three weekends, I have made myself drive an hour out of town, on highways, not freeways yet, but each time I am less afraid. I don't need to go out of town, but I want my mind back.
Thanks for writing this, your posts are always helpful. And Pants is the best, such a brave girl.
What you're doing is INCREDIBLE. I'm blown away by your fierceness and tenacity. Get it, Rebecca!!
I have never had issues with dentist until I had a serious issue six weeks ago resulting in the dentist calling in ambulance as we were thinking it was heart attack because of the chest pains. It was my first experience with a panic attack this debilitating. I now go to dentist with music, that of people I know “singing to me” and I can make it through. I also have found mindful ways to manage, pick up cues before going into unmanageable and or avoiding situations where I struggle if they are not critical. That is my journey now.
Susan!! That must have been so awful! I'm so glad you're okay. I use the agate bead bracelet my mother-in-law gave me as my mindful grounding tool when I'm at the dentist. I love the idea of using Kristin's music or the Resonate tracks to self-soothe. This must have all be so hard to experience, but I want you to know that I find you to be such a resilient and adaptable person. And Pants finds you to be the best person in the world outside of her moms!
Honestly, if this piece was filled solely with pictures of Pants I still would’ve hearted it 🤣. Seriously though, your words were great as always!
And, as was my case, sometimes the brain tumor is indeed a brain tumor. If you’re lucky enough to have a wonderful partner in those situations that helps a ton also. I know it did me.
Pats to Pants!
I'm really glad you're here to write this comment, and to do all the other things you do in your life! For me, it was the really bad headache that indeed was a stroke. Not what I expected in my mid-twenties but it's what I got. Cheers to us surviving!
Man Chloe, life is weird sometimes. When I was very young my oldest sister had a stroke. We’re both old now…but I was talking to her today and learned for the first time that today is the actual anniversary of her stroke. I’m a little taken aback to be honest.
WHOA. Happy survival day to your sister!!
Thanks. Have you written about your experience?
This post could not have been more timely as my doomscrolling had me like a deer in headlights! 😱🤣 Thanks for the well needed pep talk on managing fear. 💚
I LOATHE the dentist but for no good reason like yours, just the associated pain. They apparently have a note in my chart saying that I’m pain intolerant. Even with significant amounts of lidocaine they still manage to find nerves. I go because it’s good for me. Life in a body, oy. 🙄