Finding Strength After Surgery

How to Build The Resilience Muscle When Life Changes Overnight

Picture this; you wake up in your hospital bed, drowsy from anesthesia, not fully aware of your surroundings… and yet you know that your life is somehow going to be different from this point out. Maybe you can’t place your finger on why, but somehow you know that things are about to change. 

I remember having this moment as a 15 year old patient. I woke up in my hospital bed after surgery, and there was a Manchester United game that was going on while I was under, and the first thing I asked my dad when I woke up was if my team won. My second question was if everything during surgery went as planned. As soon as I got the okay from my parents that all was well, I went right back to sleep, drowsy as ever. When I woke up next was when I had this looming “aha” moment, that things were about to drastically change. I had this scary looking external fixator attached to my leg for the foreseeable future, and I now had to face that reality.

Whether you've spent months or years preparing for this moment, or if a sudden, life-altering accident has brought you here, the truth is—you can’t fully grasp the reality of it until you’re living it. Even with all the mental and physical preparation in the world, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the emotional weight of it all. Know that you’re not alone. Many others have walked this path before you, facing the same feelings of uncertainty, apprehension, and even dread. And many more will come after you, experiencing the same challenges. Take comfort in knowing you are part of a shared journey—one that connects you to a larger, resilient community.

So… now what?

And now, dare I say it? The excitement begins. Let me explain. Have you ever tackled something so challenging that it pushed every part of you to your limits—like learning to knit, mastering the guitar, running a marathon, training a new puppy, or picking up a new language? You might wonder why I’m comparing something as significant as surgery to training a puppy, but hear me out.

Experts (yes people march smarter than me) tell us that when we push ourselves—physically, mentally, or emotionally—to the point of discomfort, we’re actually strengthening our brain’s resilience “muscle.” Okay, it’s not an actual muscle, but rather an incredible network of neural pathways firing off in your brain. So, what if I told you that by navigating this tough time, you’re actually making yourself more resilient—not just for now, but for the future, too? It’s like building an invisible suit of armor, one that becomes stronger each time you face a challenge. Your body and mind will remember everything you’ve endured and overcome, and that strength will help you handle future obstacles with greater ease than someone who hasn’t faced the same struggles.

I’ve experienced this firsthand—not just as a physical therapist but also as a former patient. The challenges I faced during my recovery, and even after I was fully healed, were nothing compared to the adversity of enduring a difficult surgery and overcoming its aftermath. I've also seen this resilience in my younger patients. Those who face tough injuries or surgeries often navigate future setbacks with remarkable grace because they’ve developed what I call their “resilience muscle”—the mindset that says, I can handle this. And the best part? You can build it, too.

Give yourself some grace, work hard on the small things, and always remember, you are your own greatest source of power.

Ready to start your resilience journey? Book your free discovery call with me today.

The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this site. Reliance on any information provided in this blog post is solely at your own risk.