Stages of Fear

Note:  Do you know how many nuances there are to the emotion FEAR?

July 2012:  Stating the obvious, I am a hands-on person.   As my learning style and path to understanding, I make things, arrange things, organize things.   Writing lists is another of the things I do.  With emotions, the lists come after the cause of the strong feelings.  Recently, I felt FEAR and this list of stages came while I was sitting in the hospital’s surgery waiting room.   Here’s the Five Stages of Fear I experienced in the weeks leading up to this surgery:  Anxiety, anger, helplessness, resolve, trust.

Note:  I wrote those words back in July 2012.  The surgery then was pulmonary.   That Post was saved as a draft which I didn’t finish.  Now, I am adding more to it.

January 2013:  Now, I’m facing fear again.  Another surgery and another long wait, maybe five hours.  This time: open heart surgery.   My family member’s medical history would absolutely shock you.

Fear is an interesting emotion.  I’ve experienced many nuances, or ever so slight differences, in this emotion over the years.  There was the time I felt the panicked fear of a young mother who had lost a child.  My son was only gone for 15 minutes, hiding in the circular clothes rack, but long enough for the panic.  Remember my train adventure last year, well I felt fear of the unknown mingled with excitement. The excitement overrode the fear.

I do need to write at length about past fears,  but the surgery is looming in a few days.  Right now, I’m scared.  But I am also numb, maybe resigned, maybe accepting.  It may be the end or it may be the beginning.

How to conquer fear?  Be informed.  Be prepared. Be aware.  Accept support.  Keep busy.  Calm down and breathe.  Remember to eat.  Remember to drink water.   Make lists.  Recognize the fear.  Maybe pray.

Think happy thoughts!

 

 

 

 

Think positive results!

 

 

Look at the beauty of the world, right outside my door….Pray, yes, pray!

 

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