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.
Sorry to post again and hit the "I'm having a crisis" button. Apologies. Y'all know it's not like me to have two posts sitting close together on DS PTSD. I decided, though, I had to make an exception and ask for more help. I went out grocery shopping today Thursday for the first time since getting out of the hospital for pneumonia last Sunday, and it was way, way harder than I thought it would be. By the time I got to the cashier I was drenched with sweat and had stumbled a couple of times. I was weak as a kitten.
So I paid one of the bag boys $5 to get my groceries to the car and back home I drove. Today Thursday was my first time driving since getting out of the hospital on Sunday. My reflexes behind the wheel were lousy. Then getting the bags of groceries from my trunk into my apartment on my own was a BEAR.
Now I hope to rest a day and go to a hotel in the city for my birthday. But I don't know. I got trip insurance in case I have to cancel. Whew. This recovery thing this week is turning out to be HARD and doing it solo is tough. Youza. I'm fiercely independent, but I had to get that bag boy to help me or else. I can't do all things solo, I guess. It's triggering my PTSD anxiety all over the place.
I'm kind of scared by what happened in the grocery story today, to be honest. I know it's projecting, but I had to admit that in spite of knowing that I'm kind of freaking out about my future, and reaching early retirement at 62 in 2 years to retire in Mexico. I wonder how I can look forward to that if I can barely pull off a trip to the grocery store.
Right or wrong, I'm freaking out with PTSD anxiety here a little. Psychological, spiritual, and moral support very welcome.
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
It's good to get out and walk, but maybe try to take it a bit easier? Maybe ride one of those carts in the store? Conserve your strength for getting the stuff unloaded until you're fully back on your feet?
You can also ask the cashiers to group all cold items together, and to put everything into smaller bags. Then you can bring in those cold items immediately, and take your time with the cans and boxes. (I used to have to do that all the time when my kids were infants.)
Handicap spots are closest to the store, but I always found parking next to the cart return to be easiest. Then you can grab a cart and use it as a walker going in, and you're right next to it for leaving it when you get back to your car. Just a thought.
***I have never asked, I've REQUIRED my kids to carry bags to the car of anyone who's had the slightest sign of needing help. Kids were under strict instructions to tell anyone that offered them money that the person should donate the money to the food bank instead and refuse it. They's one neighbor that they're required to shovel for free, then they can shovel other neighbor's driveways for spending money. "Giving back" is just something that I expect of my kids.***
Please,no need to apologize.
i know you would tell anyone else here to post as much as they need to,so why not you?
Pneumonia can certaintly leave one weak,so please don't be hard on yourself....
And i know whenever i feel helpless,it triggers my PTSD....
i hope you can enjoy your birthday,whether in the hotel,or in your home.
You so deserve it!
i will be praying for a swift and full recovery for you,
(((( muji))).
AND you do not KNOW the future --- you know you have a plan, but no part of that plan has excluded you developing friendship ties inMexico, right? Of having people caring about you and helping you? Si, amigo? Si. Y los momentos no es eternidad, si? Si. (Forgive my abominable Spanish. I'm trying to remember what I learned from a crappy teacher in high school 30 years ago!)
The point is, you have us, and you are fierce and you are independent, and you are also human and in need of self-pampering. A trip to a city? To a hotel? With respect, doesn't sound like a good idea when your best bet is lots of sleep and as little stress as possible, just chilling.
Puma power, and purrs and paw-bump.
It takes time to recuperate from an illness & trying to keep up with doing things that are necessary. I can relate to sweating and feeling weak, my heart is not what it used to be and going to the grocery store is more difficult than it usually is.
Give yourself time to get stronger. You will. Here they have volunteers that help people that need some extra help with things. I wonder if they have any services there where you are?.
Someone who would kind of work for you off and on to help with things like food shopping and getting it all up to your apartment. I have a little metal shopping basket on rollers that I use to tote groceries in. Would that help>
My thoughts about your retirement, I bet that will find someone there that would be more than willing to help you do the things you need to get done and can't do for yourself.
There will be also less stress on you and you will be a free retired person enjoying sunshine and peacefulness. soon. And that will help you and your body too I believe.
Take good care Muji. Feel better. You can and are doing this.☼
Time has no meaning in the healing process. Be patient with the process and gentle with yourself, Profie. Easy does it.
I really hope that healing comes soon Muji…. If you need to maybe order online for a few days/week
Another hug and a blessing.....xo
I understand the physical triggering the PTSD & anxiety very much so (had a very similar day trying to go out to get medication on Tuesday)
Try the best to honor your body & also stay hydrated
& taking it a day at a time, & no te preocupes porque it’s totally okay to ask for help both here & out in the world (sometimes they say asking for help is a sign of strength rite :) )
I hope for you many good days in the future mi amigo
Sending you support & healing hugs <3 <3
Kate, I can't believe you got his pneumonia twice a year like that. I couldn't take it. You're made of iron.
I appreciate all of the support, everybody. Truly. This pneumonia is a humdinger of a thing on top of the old Chronic Kidney Disease and good old PTSD. Summer fun, eh? Thanks for helping me through all of this.
I understand how physical weakness triggers PTSD... more support.
I live alone, so I saved that money all year through super belt tightening for early retirement in 2
years. Now it will be eaten up by my 4 day hospital stay and there's nothing I can do about it.
Nothing. I feel helpless. Waiting for those extra hospital bills sucks.