Trust

Trust: a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b : one in which confidence is placed. per Merriam-Webster

To have one's trust is a very powerful gift and one that should not be taken lightly. Once it's lost it is hard to get back. Not impossible, depending on the issue at hand, of course. It is easier to trust close family members like a parent or brother or sister. Heck, they have been with you since you were born.

Friends take time and if you are lucky to have one or two best friends to share your life and trust with, consider yourself blessed. Too many people out there will turn around and habitually reveal personal or sensational facts about others. We all know people like that.

It's very hard to trust a stranger. Let alone, a stranger that will be operating on you. In a way, depending on the operation, you are trusting him or her with your life. That is why, in my humble opinion, if you are going to have an operation, however long or short it may be, get a second opinion. Heck get three or four. I had four listed but only saw three. I did not need to after I went to Hopkins. Sometimes you just have a feeling about someone.

I have no regrets about my choice. For those going through the same thing as myself, I am sorry, it sucks, I know. But look around. Talk to a few doctors. Some may suggest the same procedure, others may pick a completely different path. Two of the three doctors I went to wanted to wire my jaw closed. Two of the three doctors wanted to use a bone graft from my hip instead of my fibula.

Do the research. Get the doctors CV. Talk to past patients if you can. Check out support groups or blogs like mine. But, in the end, its all about trust. Trust in yourself for making the choice and trust in the doctor.