Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
Two people reappeared in my life today at work. Many people here prayed for them and sent good thoughts their way. Both are older female "non-traditional" students in the same community college class I teach. Really nice people.
In the same week just before this past Thanksgiving, each of the two ladies came to be separately after class. Each told me separately that she'd had cancer before, had been in remission for years, but the cancer had come back aggressively and they'd be in surgery over Thanksgiving.
I sent flowers and cards and came here for support and got it for them. As for me, it was rough as it triggered my memories of 2004-2007 when I moved across country and took care of my elderly mother through a rough 3 year period fighting breast cancer.
She made it to remission, too, but it took surgery, radiation, and chemo, and I took her to all of those myself. It triggered my PTSD to help her then, but it was about her and I got it done. Hearing about these nice ladies as the same way.
Today both of them came to class today! It was the last day of class this semester, and it was a MIRACLE. I was bowled over. They did that for me. So, so kind with all they'd gone through to come to me and share their story of surviving the first round of the fight, their surgeries.
I cried, I was so happy, and they let me hug each of them for joy. Thank you so much for supporting them and supporting me with them. DS PTSD does real good in the face to face world beyond this site.
In the same week just before this past Thanksgiving, each of the two ladies came to be separately after class. Each told me separately that she'd had cancer before, had been in remission for years, but the cancer had come back aggressively and they'd be in surgery over Thanksgiving.
I sent flowers and cards and came here for support and got it for them. As for me, it was rough as it triggered my memories of 2004-2007 when I moved across country and took care of my elderly mother through a rough 3 year period fighting breast cancer.
She made it to remission, too, but it took surgery, radiation, and chemo, and I took her to all of those myself. It triggered my PTSD to help her then, but it was about her and I got it done. Hearing about these nice ladies as the same way.
Today both of them came to class today! It was the last day of class this semester, and it was a MIRACLE. I was bowled over. They did that for me. So, so kind with all they'd gone through to come to me and share their story of surviving the first round of the fight, their surgeries.
I cried, I was so happy, and they let me hug each of them for joy. Thank you so much for supporting them and supporting me with them. DS PTSD does real good in the face to face world beyond this site.
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I feel so dirty and used I was drunk and passed out at a party when I came around some guy was on top of me rapeing me he covered my mouth and told me to shut up afterwards he got up and got dressed and said I better not tell anyone I found my friend and reported that I had been raped after having medical checks and them getting DNA I've taken the morning after pill IAM just so depressed and...
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Upon his departure, he remarked, "I am in many people’s pockets; no one will believe you." Have you ever grappled with the silence that follows sexual assault, where the perceived impossibility of being believed necessitates self-censorship?
After class, another student followed me to my office to tell me she was grieving a loss. I got her connected to a grief site here on DS PTSD, again without having a panic attack myself.
I'm not these people's therapist, I'm a patient who happens to be their teacher, but I'm glad for the role I'm able to play. I'm glad it's not a bigger role, though, like the role of a therapist. No way could I do that and take care of me and my complex PTSD symptoms. That would be way too much.
But today it felt good that I do what I do at my community college job, and I respect myself for as little as I can do, and for knowing my limitations, too.
Now with school done for a little break, on to deal with PTSD memories and the holidays. There's always something to keep things interesting, isn't there?
The same as you do here, inspiring us.
Jewells
This has been truly more than I thought I could do with PTSD. It's always this gradual testing of the PTSD boundaries.. Sort of ramping up very slowly what I can do without sending myself into a PTSD episode in the process. I guess I got a little more self confidence about that with the way things ended up at the end of the semester so well.
Thanks, Jewells, and congratulations on your semester, too! (Hope your arm had healed completely by now.)
Muji