*** Recovery is going to take longer than you think, especially if you have to go to work and be professional.

*** You have a new baseline, and you have to figure it out on your own.

*** Check in with your body on a regular basis.

*** Pain is inevitable. Misery is optional.

*** Ask who is intubating you. Ask how often they intubate.

*** Learn the difference between healing stretching hurt and destructive hurts.

*** You are bigger than the pain. Expand to encompass the pain.

*** Think about how much medication you are taking and plan the wean off.

*** There are alternatives to Oxy, like Tramadol. There is alternatives to everything.

*** You need to take a stool softener and laxative if you are on opioids.

*** Know the location and terms of your surgical warranties.

*** Be honest about your pain. Talk to your doctor. Talk to someone. Find what works for you.

*** What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Take a deep breath and do what you can do.

*** Faith gets you through every day, whether you are religious or not.

*** Find the placebo effect.

*** Pain is: 1) The greatest teacher 2) Temporary 3) A signal to change