Three months ago I had routine out patient knee surgery. The surgery turned out to be far from routine. I had respiratory failure while being taken out of anesthesia. Long story short, I was in ICU for three weeks with a trach and ventilator. After ICU, I went to rehab hospital for three weeks to have therapy on my knee. The trach was removed just before being sent home.

At this point, I am afraid. This fear is of many things including walking, driving or riding in a car, general day to day life activities. I am afraid of injury which may lead me back to hospital and going through this again.

Is this normal and how long will it last. If it is not normal, what do I do? Otherwise, I am physically ready to get back into life. The knee is OK and the hole from the trach is closed and healing OK. This fear is the key factor preventing me from life and going back to all things normal.

The more you let your 'fear' control you, the more 'fear' will control you.

I have this thing I do that helps me:

Say to yourself (outloud): I Refuse to let *this fear* stop me from living my life.

You can of course be more specific to what it is you're afraid of.
You will grow both stronger physically, mentally and emotionally.

Don't wait...
... Start Today!

Hope this helps

Yes, it is normal to feel like you do. What happened to you was tragic and no one can tell you to just get over it. But you cannot let the fear take over and control you. You have to meet that fear and say that it is not going to rule everything you do.

So that is not easy. But please seek out professional help for conquering your fear. How long it takes to get over this fear - no one can rightly say. You have to get help dealing with it and work through the fear to the other side. I truly hope you find someone compassionate and understanding. Good luck to you.