Bloody Anniversaries & Situational Issues

[AS1975]

6 November is a bloody awful day for me, my grandmother died on the 6th November 2000 and I was badly burned on 6 November 2009, necessitating skin grafts, an induced coma and a whole lot of pain. So I struggled through the date, then our baby got sick, last night we actually rushed him to hospital and I was struggling pretty bad. I coped, but it was pretty bloody ordinary.

Then today I go up to the shops to get baby Panadol. In about 1997 I was in a car accident, a rather bad one, at one of the major intersections in the town I grew up (8 lanes each side), on the 23 December, right in the Christmas rush, in the rain. So I go to the shops, there is a massive building project going on and I find myself caught in Christmas shopping, a chaotic situation (where road rules apparently don't apply) and dealing with obnoxious f*wits.

Next thing I know, I'm shaking, having a full on panic attack (shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, pain in both shoulders and across the chest). I understood what was happening and was not only able to slow down, be mindful, and do what I had set out to do (albeit significantly slower than I had planned), but I also kept my cool, didn't argue, and was able to explain to my wife, when I returned home, that I was struggling and why.

It feels odd admitting to having a weakness, a chink in the armour as it were, but it feels good to be able to do so and to actually strengthen myself by doing so. I just thought I'd share it, it is one more step on the journey.

 

[Shellbell]

Anniversaries are so hard, and having two on the same date is extra hard. And to then have your baby be really ill and in hospital on that date! Wow, no wonder you are stressed out! Is your little one okay?

Getting stuck in traffic is anxiety raising normally, but you really could have done without that today - sucks!

Glad you were able to control the anxiety AS - under very difficult circumstances too. And to be calm with your wife.

Thanks for sharing this AS.

 

[Sues]

Sorry to hear that you went through all of that AS. I agree anniversaries are bad. I know I have two that always get me. I am so glad you were able to work through this one. It's amazing that you have the strength to do that when hit by a panic attack like that. You are super strong, even though it feels like a weakness!

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I am so sad that you suffered and endured so much that you have anniversary reactions together. My heart goes out to you. I hope your baby will be good. I hope that you will make it through this experience with little anxiety. I am wishing the best for you . Good luck.

 

[AS1975]

I don't know what it is, but I got hit hard last night and this morning going into today. I couldn't bring myself out of dreamland when the baby started crying this morning, I was there but I wasn't, the dream just wouldn't let go. My wife had to get up in the end, then this afternoon I went for a lay down and just a full-on panic attack, I have no idea why and it was f*cking horrible. I finally dragged myself out of the funk, got up helped with the baby (finally), got him to sleep and then the pager went again for the fire brigade (3rd call in just over 24 hours), so now I'm in more shit than Flash Gordon at home.

Obviously there is going to be problems when I cannot seem to handle simple stuff, and help around the house, then am able to attend emergency callouts. I'm buggered if I can understand it.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Just do the best you can. You are human. Sometimes it is truly very hard to manage. I am sorry you had a panic attack. I hate tham so much. Take care.