It Gets Better... I Promise

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Hello all, my name is Mackenzie and I'm 17 years old. I want to share my story with you because we don't get to many happy stories on this site.

I've lived with Trigeminal Neuralgia for 2 years now. As you can imagine, diagnosing my pain was even more difficult than usual because of my age. Then I found out I am allergic to almost every medication. On top of that, missing so many of my teenage years was mentally draining and I'm behind in almost everything now.

All I can say is that I was dealt a pretty bad card, much like all of you.

On March 11, 2015, I had Microvascular Decompression Surgery. I ended up getting a cerebral-spinal fluid leak after surgery and I had to stay in the ICU for a whole week. My pain was gone, though. I could touch my face. I could talk. I could eat. I could do everything that we take for granted.

My body has recovered beautifully, but something happened that I didn't expect - I fell in to a deep depression after surgery. Don't get me wrong, I was so grateful that the pain was gone, but I didn't no where to begin my new life. When you're sick, you're told to put everything aside and focus on your health. But what happens when your health is fine and all of the things you put aside get thrown into your face in rapid succession? It's hard. I've been there. I missed an entire year of school. I was an advanced placement student looking to go into the medical field and now I'm a year behind.

When I was sick, I learned that I couldn't control everything. Now that I'm better, I'm able to control things and I've become severely obsessive compulsive. I'm pulling out my hair and ripping off my nails. Everybody seems to lose interest in you after your better, but you need them the most when you're recovering. The hardest part is, I know it's probably going to come back one day.

Enough of the sad stuff, though. I am seeing both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. I'm also on some anti-anxiety medication that is really helping. I'm off all my anti-convulsants. I've figured out my school plan. I'm focusing my energy on the positive.

Time heals. Friends and family give you strength. Survivors give you hope.

It gets better... I promise. <3

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Hi Ladyface,

Wonderful news for you! Your strength and your willingness to seek help will aid in your complete recovery. The 'world is your oyster' as they say and you have a lifetime to catch up on the years you missed.

Best wishes for you,

Rissmal

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rissmal said:

Hi Ladyface,

Wonderful news for you! Your strength and your willingness to seek help will aid in your complete recovery. The 'world is your oyster' as they say and you have a lifetime to catch up on the years you missed.

Best wishes for you,

Rissmal

Thank you for your kind words! I hope everything is well for you; my best thoughts to you and your family! :)

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wish you all the best. That does indeed sound like nothing we rarely think an alternative, but I guess it grows to be a part of you to the extent that it becomes part of your identity. and when that gets taken away, it must be hard to rebuild that part. That said, I am very glad to hear your pain is gone. Please don' t fret about it coming back. At least you know you can handle it. Focus on getting better now!

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Tineline said:

wish you all the best. That does indeed sound like nothing we rarely think an alternative, but I guess it grows to be a part of you to the extent that it becomes part of your identity. and when that gets taken away, it must be hard to rebuild that part. That said, I am very glad to hear your pain is gone. Please don' t fret about it coming back. At least you know you can handle it. Focus on getting better now!

Thank You! I guess time will heal; Things are already starting to sort themselves out! I'm looking forward to this new life instead of listening to the 'what could happen' voice.

Wishing you all the best, as well!

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I had an MVD in October. Recovery went well, but I understand how disorienting it can be. You’ll work it out. Be patient with yourself. And at the same time, get outside of your comfort zone. Since your plan A is out the window, get excited about what plan B might be. In my experience, usually it’s even better than the original plan since you are so much wiser from the experience that derailed you. This has been the case for me over and over again! Be open to possiblity. I can almost guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised by what comes your way. Take care, my dear. Much love to you!

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LadyFace,

I am so impressed by your story! The reason is simple - you have taken your situations and looked for solutions. Sure, you may have had periods of not knowing what to do to make things better but you have figured things out. You my dear, are a SURVIVOR!

Just as Einstein said: In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.

It seems that you have already learned that, and at a very young age. You will go places LadyFace. There is still a very good chance that it will be somewhere in the medical field and you will make a difference! Either way, I can tell, you will touch lives in a very special way!

BTW - You still can't control everything, no one can. Just enjoy the fact that you do have control over your pain!

Keep smiling :) People will smile back or at least wonder what you are up to :)

Cathy In MD

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Juliet said:
I had an MVD in October. Recovery went well, but I understand how disorienting it can be. You'll work it out. Be patient with yourself. And at the same time, get outside of your comfort zone. Since your plan A is out the window, get excited about what plan B might be. In my experience, usually it's even better than the original plan since you are so much wiser from the experience that derailed you. This has been the case for me over and over again! Be open to possiblity. I can almost guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised by what comes your way. Take care, my dear. Much love to you!

Great advice - You’re an inspiration! Thank you so much! Much love back!

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Cathy in MD said:

LadyFace,

I am so impressed by your story! The reason is simple - you have taken your situations and looked for solutions. Sure, you may have had periods of not knowing what to do to make things better but you have figured things out. You my dear, are a SURVIVOR!

Just as Einstein said: In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.

It seems that you have already learned that, and at a very young age. You will go places LadyFace. There is still a very good chance that it will be somewhere in the medical field and you will make a difference! Either way, I can tell, you will touch lives in a very special way!

BTW - You still can't control everything, no one can. Just enjoy the fact that you do have control over your pain!

Keep smiling :) People will smile back or at least wonder what you are up to :)

Cathy In MD

Aweee :slight_smile: I couldn’t have asked for a better reply! I sure hope I can take this and make a difference! The people that have written me back are the type of people that keep me going! There’s so much good in this world that I was blind to when I was sick. Thank you for your kind words - sending much love to you and your family!