jc, no need to separate things here. this is a game-changer and you're not being dramatic.

this post is great. when i'm experiencing stress and/or pain i find i have to remind myself to breathe and deeply, not shallow. i'm sure you're experiencing both. do you need extra help right now? in any way, shape or form?

sending love and prayers to you all! xoxo

Thank you for filling us in on Jaime's progress and yours. Would it be possible to ask the doctor to write an order for home health? Sorry, I'm just trying to find help for you. It sounds like you're staying awake a lot of the time. Jaime sure is your daughter. I pray for a total recovery for her. She's a natural born warrior. So are you.

This is why I asked my question the other day. I knew it had to be hitting you and hard, physically and mentally.

Physically you need to keep updated with your own issues....plural there. Your copd was getting to be a real struggle already and friend you can't take care of her if you can't take care of yourself.

Mentally you've been through hell and back. It's hard to release when she's there with you for one thing. Also you have to be scared and be watching her every breath and movement also, but you have to remind yourself she made it through because of the strength she carries in herself.....not because of your eagle eye. You deal with stress about your self too.

Remember we told you to come vent, you were going to need it. Put it here or in your journal. Either way nothing you say is wrong! Being wore out from taking care of her is the truth. Being stressed out it is the truth! Everyone is entitled to their feelings and without release you melt.

Maybe some meditation would do you go. Give yourself 15 minutes a day to go into your bedroom to just focus on quiet breathing and a tranquil scene. Do it twice if you need to.

Love you!

im so glad you are apart of this Circle, JC. you can count on us to lift you and your daughter up with positive healing thoughts and best wishes on this road to recovery. the strides your daughter are taking are amazing and inspirational. you are such a wonderful mom. i can see how the added responsibility can take its toll. i hope the help and support you need finds its way to you. feel free to come hear often to post your needs wants and feelings so that we can remind you that we are here for you and to let you know that you are not alone OK.

I am so glad that your daughter continues to improve.

People think it is funny to have to remind yourself to breath, but I do hit that point a lot.

I try to count as I breath. For example: Breath in 1 2 3 4, breath out 1 2 3 4. It helps me focus on breathing.

Irocket had a great point of taking 15 min a day to meditate and breath. I don't know if you have the ability to do that right now, While I was in the 2 week pain management program they had us down load an app onto our phones, and they told us to do the 5 min session every hour. Plug earphones in and sit back for 5 minutes and go through the guided breathing. The app is called "Rest and Relax", Cost $1.99, well worth it. It comes with 3 time options. 5 min 10 min and 15 min, I think.

Hope you get a chance to check it out. I also have to agree with the others that if you can get any home help so you can take care of you would be awesome.

Sending lots of prayers and positive energy your way.
Lov & hugs-RJ

JC-

I'm glad you are coming here and letting us know what is happening with you and then updating your daughter's amazing progress.

I thought it was normal to need reminding to breath at times. Made the assumption when stressed we tend to hold in our emotions and breath. When one of my kids were in either ICU or CCU I was often reminded to keep breathing. Meditation as RJ was pointing out is very helpful.

Home health would be a God-send and I do agree with the others.

Sending good vibes, prayers, breathing, positive energy...........
Moonie

Hi JC, thank you for sharing this wonderful post. When I first read it four things came to mind. The first was when I was in pt and they would hit a painful spot. My automatic reaction was to hold my breath and immediately my pt would say Breathe! Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. The same thing happened while in the hospital. I was up trying to walk and before I could say ouch, my nurse said remember to breathe.

Second, when trying to sleep often I do this, while taking a deep breath in through my nose I'll say Relaxation in, and when I exhale through my mouth or nose I'll say Strrss out. Or I'll use the words Healing in, Pain out. By focusing on my breathing and my affirmation words I'm asleep in no time.

Three, I use a program similar to RJ's its called Calm.com & is free if you choose to have all 20 sessions then its $9.99 a year. Each session is in 2, 5 & 10min increments you choose how long and what backround noise you want. You can even just listen to the ocean without listening to the relaxation programs. There are programs for anxiety, relaxation, sleep etc. I hope you check it out.

Last but not least your post reminded me of how hard it was for ME to ask for help in the begining. I always did everything not just for myself but for others regardless if I was feeling good or bad. The single, hardest thing I've ever done to this day, surgeries and all was to ask for help. In my mind asking for help meant I was weak, that I couldn't handle it all, when in reality it meant yes I may have been week and I may not have been able to handle it all, but I was still those things only with help to carry me along. As time has gone on it has become easier. Without DS I never would have opened up like I have and shared some tough things.

IMHO it took a lot of courage for you to reach out and share all that you have and I applaud you for doing so. As I had mentioned in a different post to you, I truly hope when pt, ot or home health comes out that you will take that time that their there (after you've seen what their working on with Jamie as knowing you, you'll want to know :) ) and that's ok, but after that please take that time to be kind to yourself. Go get your hair or nails done or even just go in another room, close the door and just Breathe!!

I am so happy that Jamie is making such wonderful strides, slow or not, they're still strides in the right direction. I know by you being there you have helped her immensely, but I also know now that she's fought so hard to get where she is, she has the strength and determination to continue to do so even if you take a day or even a half day off to just be you and especially to take care of you. We're all here for you, for the good, the bad, the ugly and even the mindane. Keep breathing JC and take comfort in knowing you have many here that love you.

Love, hugs & God bless
Lisa

jC I know you are going through so much. Keep hanging in there for Jamie. Everything is going to be okay. All of us are here with you with our arms around you and Jamie. I am praying. For you both. If. You need anything at all we are here. Stay Strong. Im sending love and prayers with my. Post, i know it is hard but relax and. Breathe. She knows your there Keep talking to her.We are there with you love you JC. Angela

Breathe in- Breathe out- Breathe in!

I often hold my breath when frightened or stressed & have to remind myself to breathe too!

BUSH : Machinehead (OFFICIAL)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwBDnYj7plQ

I'd like to find a meditation on the you-tube for you!
Best wishes,
Always,
H xox

i get numb all over my body you have been threw a lot hon go slow and breath i find my self holding my breath all the time ihave heardmyself say breath hugs hon love min