I know what would have happened, I would be dead, simple as that. 1999 was a lost year for me, I almost did die because of those pills, and that is what has made it possible to just deal with the pain. It is not easy to open doors on a van going 60 MPH, it was my wake up call that no matter how much pain I was in life was still to precious to quit.

Stopping the pills stopped those feelings, it took a long time, like I said about 6 months to get back to feeling and thinking somewhat normally.

The physical damage you have to realize is just that, your brain may learn and make new connections, just do not give up.

When you go back to work that will be the hardest part to deal with, so be prepared, people will be scared. There is unreasonable fear with some illnesses, stroke, heart attack, and cancer are a few of them. People will react and be a little different toward you when you go back to work, it is human nature. Given time they will get over that fear.