Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
I lost my Dad a few weeks ago after he'd been bed ridden for over a year with a variety of illnesses.He broke his leg in November,went to a rehab center for a month and due to pressure sores that had sepsis,he was going to lose his foot with a 20% chance of surviving the operation.
After days of him being kept on life support,I honored his living will and had the equipment turned off.5 Minutes later he was gone.
After so many years of caring for him I feel so empty and scared.I'm used to getting up and checking on him every few hours so it's been years since I've slept normally.
Now that the opportunity is here,I just lay in bed for 12+ hours without falling asleep before giving up and distracting myself with a book or video.Nothing really stops the pain and racing thoughts about the future,even tomorrow(which would have been his birthday).
And to top it off,I've been in a wheelchair/walker for the last 6 weeks after falling and spraining my knee and shoulder,so I can barely walk,much less drive without a painful walker trip down the driveway.Try cleaning a bedridden person while in you're in a wheelchair sometime.
My knee and shoulder are definitely mending but my mind feels broken.I have no suicidal thoughts but I do feel totally without hope or purpose.
After days of him being kept on life support,I honored his living will and had the equipment turned off.5 Minutes later he was gone.
After so many years of caring for him I feel so empty and scared.I'm used to getting up and checking on him every few hours so it's been years since I've slept normally.
Now that the opportunity is here,I just lay in bed for 12+ hours without falling asleep before giving up and distracting myself with a book or video.Nothing really stops the pain and racing thoughts about the future,even tomorrow(which would have been his birthday).
And to top it off,I've been in a wheelchair/walker for the last 6 weeks after falling and spraining my knee and shoulder,so I can barely walk,much less drive without a painful walker trip down the driveway.Try cleaning a bedridden person while in you're in a wheelchair sometime.
My knee and shoulder are definitely mending but my mind feels broken.I have no suicidal thoughts but I do feel totally without hope or purpose.
U HAVE YOUR PLATE FULL!
U R GRIEVING I THINK.............................
GRIEVING OVER THE LOSS OF YOUR DAD AND YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH TOO.
GBU
D
PS. I WILL PRAY 4 U AND YOUR FAMILY.
I recommend 2 groups here:
The first one is the Bereavement group. They helped me a LOT when my sister died unexpectedly a few years ago.
The second one is the Caring For Aging Parents group. Yes, I understand that you are no longer caring for an aging parent, but we have about 4 members who have lost a parent in the last few months, and they still come for comfort. They also come to help those of us who are dealing with the daily issues of caring for a parent.
It is so very hard. When we are responsible for our children the 'letting go' process tends to be gradual until we realize that they are on their own. But with our parents our involvement grows and grows until the day when it stops suddenly.
Of course you are overwhelmed, your entire life was structured around his care and then suddenly he is gone and all that structure is gone as well.
The time has come for you to start rebuilding your own life. The path is yours to choose. Things that worked for one person may be dismal failures for you, and things that didn't help a bit for others may be just the thing that you need.
Now more than ever, it is all about you!
Try adding things to your life, little things, big things, what ever. Give them some time and see if you enjoy them.
And while you are doing this rebuilding it is important to focus on your health and well being.
Gentle hugs