Faith Has Hope

[Faith Hoffen]

Hello fellow survivors. I'm Faith Hoffen. I live in the eastern United States with my family - a husband, two sons and a daughter. I've been struggling to heal from CPTSD (I also have OCD, depression & have had panic attacks, claustrophobia, and insomnia) from a childhood of abuse (of all kinds), school bullying, and nearly being killed by a fellow teenager at the age of 14. Also, I've had six surgeries related to the abuse, and am still having some undiagnosed health problems, as well as Raynaud's and hernias, and migraines. In spite of that I was able to earn a B.A. in Education, majoring in Spanish, and I now homeschool my children.

I have been dissociating a lot lately like I did as a child, but am still seeing a therapist and support group, which I started attending recently. I do have hope that I will be healed, even if it takes a long time. I want to be well for my young children as well as myself. I have made some progress and believe that this forum may also be very helpful. It seems like a good place to find empathetic people.

 

[Faith Hoffen]

Today I had a doctor appt. for the pain and abdominal swelling I've been having. Unfortunately, I was correct that the popping out feeling is another hernia. I just had surgery for two hernias less than a year ago. Two, weren't fixed, so now I have 3. It is very discouraging. I lost some feeling around the scar from the last surgery. And, after having had 6 surgeries (the other surgeries were for something else) I wonder how much else I can take, emotionally if not physically.

Well, at least I made it to 40! Yesterday was my birthday, and I did manage to go out to dinner and a movie with my hubby:) We have to think of something positive to keep us going don't we. It helps me to 'write' about my feelings sometimes. I do that on my blog - Hope for Coping With Traumatic Stress. If you'd like to visit my blog it's at http://hopetocope.blogspot.com.

 

[goingonhope]

:hello:Hello, & Welcome to the forum Faith!

I too have been struggling to heal from my traumas and manage my PTSD, certainly recognized as C-PTSD nowadays, and struggling for sometime now. I had a really good (too short-lived) (some yrs. though) of a period of managing it extremely well for me once, but certainly not as of late. I selected the name goingonhope when joining this forum, because with my own health problems and the complexity of my Ptsd, and a family and young twins, I just knew that without hope in action, I feared losing virtually everything I have to offer my husband and family.

I particularly like your first name Faith.

I once was given an abundance of faith, in particulary God, but for sometime now have been degressing in such blocked and vital a faith. I'm hoping for another chance and for that miracle again. Sadly though, I've been too busy living of this world, I place I once never ever longed to belong, nor imagined I'd ever be, and not enough living among family and friends in the spiritual world in which I now really, really crave!

Oh' well, not intending here to make this my introduction, ......Sorry!

Faith H., Welcome and jump right into reading, posting, asking questions, and telling us more about you, if and when you're ready.

You take care, and hope you and your family and friends, show each the love you'all deserve, as family and/or friends, (either or both), are precious, and can be joyous gifts given, well-received, protected and then deeply loved, enjoyed and cherished.

My best to you and your family,
goingonhope

 

[cragger65]

Hi Faith, welcome aboard. You sound like you're in the right mind frame to make progess, for sure. I think you'll meet some great people here to talk to, I know I have. All the best.

Dave

 

[missy8888]

Welcome Faith!!

I hope you will find the support you need here. The people on this site are amazing and really can make a differnce with their kind words and encouragement.. Here is to you making new friends.... Missy

 

[2notbedefeated]

Greetings and welcome,

You will find warm and understanding people here. This forum has been a life saver for me. Things were so bad around Thanksgiving that my family thought about hospitalizing me. Having the freedom to share and have feelings validated here have helped immensly. I hope this forum is helpful for you.

I have a husband and two children, one boy (10yrs) and one girl (9yrs). We live in the northeast USA. I was molested repeatedly during ages 5-7(maybe 8) and experienced other traumatic circumstances that contributed to my PTSD now. Can I give you a welcome **hug**. :)

 

[Tinyflame]

Welcome Faith! :hello:
Hope you find this Forum of terrific benefit to you in your healing process.
It has wonderful information on it and terrific supportive people.

(P.S- Might make you laugh, for about the last 20 years strangers have always consistently mistaken me for someone named "Faith" :smile: )

Peace and best wishes to you!

 

[Luthien]

Hi Faith.

Welcome to the forum. I think you'll find this site very helpful, and supportive.
There are many on here who are willing to lend a an ear, and advice whenever they can.
You sound like you have the right mindset for sure, that's going to save you time in the long run.
Good luck getting what you need to heal.
Take care.

 

[Faith Hoffen]

Thank you all for your 'welcome'!
It's been a long day. Today was my grandma's funeral, and I've been crying a lot.
Well, I better try to go get some sleep.
'Chat' with you all later.

 

[Faith Hoffen]

Hello all, thank you for your 'welcomes'. I'm going to have to have another surgery on Feb. 5. So, that is another stressor in my life now. I don't have much time to say much right now. But, I got an infraction on my last post so it wasn't posted; the reason was I made a link to my blog, which I didn't realize was not allowed on this forum. Well, they have the right to do that; it's their forum. I don't think that is a good idea though; that (infractions) discourages PTSD sufferers from wanting to post. I just don't understand the reason behind 'infractions'. I can understand not posting it, why not just not post it, and never mind infractions? Maybe this post won't get put on. Or is there freedom of speech?:) I'm just kidding with you; I'm not angry.:) Anyway, I guess if anyone would like to see my blog, you can do a search with my name; you'll find it.

 

[Nicolette]

But, I got an infraction on my last post so it wasn't posted; the reason was I made a link to my blog, which I didn't realize was not allowed on this forum.

I am sorry Faith but that is not correct. Your post is posted....just look back to the second post in this your thread. Also not correct, is that you are not allowed to post a link.....you are not allowed to post a LIVE link as this attracts spammers to the forum. The address to your blog is still there and all someone has to do is copy it and paste it into their browser.

 

[fin]

. I can understand not posting it, why not just not post it, and never mind infractions?

I have a better time with receiving the infraction than just not having my post put up and not know why....I think I would feel more confused.

. Maybe this post won't get put on. Or is there freedom of speech?:)

....I hope you will see that there is so much freedom of speech here, and there is a safety that I haven't found anywhere else. the more you read the more you will see that this is so.

There are faqs listed and as you sign in there is a link to an editorial policy running up the top.
and as Nicolette has said just no "live links"....

Welcome Faith....its cool