Setting realistic expectations for recovery may take some outside perspective.

Generally there is a bit of a gap between how we think our recovery is going to go and how it actually goes. The bigger challenge is you don’t really know which side of the gap you will be on. The speedy recovery side or the “this is not at all how I thought this was going to go ” side.  Our loved ones see us more clearly than we see ourselves.

There is a part in my TED Talk where I talk about the predictive cycle of chemo and how each week followed a pattern, and by week 3 I was back to normal. Except every cycle was harder and I was further from normal and I didn’t see it.

Week four after chemo ended I expected to be back to all my “normal” activities. I was not very happy when that was not the case. I was fortunate to have my husband seeing things very clearly and pointing out that he thought it was going to take longer and not to over do in my effort to take back all my chores. 

It is hard to be an active person, sidelined by anything. Often our doctor has a best estimate perspective, but it is those people who see us more often who can provide the best support as we navigate our way back to normal.

Have you experienced a time your expectations needed a refresh?

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