| Author | |
KC in TX
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 05 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
|
| Posted: Sept 23 2005 at 11:00pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
The past weeks have been very difficult for various reasons. Nothing has happened to me or my family, but to other members of my family yet I'm feeling so tired and overwhelmed. My sister had her baby at the end of August and he ended up in NICU with a Group B Strep infection and sepsis. Luckily, he survived and is doing well after a month in the hospital (he was discharged a week ago). Then my sister ends up in the ER with excruciating pain in her abdomen (thought it was related to her Csection), but it turned out she was in the early stages of heart failure. She is doing well on meds and should live a good life as long as she takes care of herself.
My husband's uncle passed away two weeks ago. This happened while we were in Boston for my baby daughter's baptism (DH's great uncle is a priest and performed the ceremoney as he did for all my other children). We had to detour after the baptism to Virginia for the funeral. We were expecting his death, but he had been holding on well past the time the doctors had given (melanoma--put sunscreen on!!). I guess I've been so tired from everything and can't seem to get going again.
I spent over a week helping my mom take care of my nephew and sister. Then we left for Massachusetts. We arrived home finally, last week after an exhausting time with the wake and funeral. Then my husband had to go to Ft. Irwin, CA for 12 days. On top of all that Hurricane Rita was predicted to head this way. It veered East.
I am spent. I feel I don't have any more to give to anyone.
All of this to say, please pray for me to get a measure of peace within myself despite all that has happened. That I get some rest and some time to myself sometime in the near future. I feel ready to explode. Some reading suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I love the tone of this forum and am so glad to have found it. I had been feeling so lost out there as a Catholic. Thank you to anyone who has made it to the end.
__________________
KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
|
| Posted: Sept 24 2005 at 12:26am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hang in there, KC, we're praying for you. I suspect every one of us on this loop has experienced the same feelings of Utter Exhaustion you describe, at one point or another. I know I have. Try to get regular sleep, eat healthy, take some walks, and get some Mommy Time!
If you have a Rosary Group (preferably a Mom's Rosary Group), I highly recommend it. When I was similarly depleted--a la your description--I was so grateful to be part of a once-weekly Moms Rosary group that met at our Church, children in tow. It provided a real spiritual lift.
You're in our prayers.
Kelly in FL
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Leonie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2831
|
| Posted: Sept 24 2005 at 2:29am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi KC,
Take some time out with your dc - just go to the park or listen to music together or snuggle and read. Sometimes, a relaxing change is all that is needed - esp time outside, with nature. This often gives me a much needed rest , the kids can play and I can watch and pray. 
__________________
Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Natalia
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1343
|
| Posted: Sept 24 2005 at 9:13am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hello KC,
A couple of weeks ago I was feeling overwhelmed too and express my feeling on this thread. Maybe you well find some of the suggestions helpful for your situation.
I'll keep you in my prayers,
Natalia
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KC in TX
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 05 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
|
| Posted: Sept 24 2005 at 9:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Natalia--thank you for the link. There really were many great responses. I will sit down and read carefully each of them.
Leonie and Kelly, Thank you for you prayers.
__________________
KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Willa
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881
|
| Posted: Sept 24 2005 at 2:20pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dear KC,
I will pray for you and your family. What a lot of stressful things all at once.
My favorite read when I'm struggling with life is St Francis de Sales Thy Will Be Done -- he is so encouraging and perceptive about the struggles of living in this world and trying to do God's will.
My son's liver transplant coordinator told us that often the most difficult time about a crisis is after it is over; so often we "super-cope" when we're in the middle of it, and then forget to give ourselves time to relax AFTER the crisis is over. We think that because life is "normal" again that we should be able to resume life as usual, but often that's the time we need to make it easy for ourselves and give ourselves time to get back in stride. I've seen that several times since she said that, so I thought it made lots of sense.
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Laura
Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 16 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 182
|
| Posted: Sept 24 2005 at 2:27pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
KC,
Welcome to this great group of ladies (and Tim )!
I know that if you keep coming by for a visit ( I need to force myself not to come by more then 3-4 times a day  ) your spirit will soon be lifted. I'm so happy that you found us. You asked for a book recommendation- do you home school? I am assuming that you do...Elizabeth's book is great. It is called Real Learning.
For great Catholic Mom Reads I like Holiness for Housewives and a Mother's Rule for Life (although I still have not come up with my own rule  )
__________________
JMJ,
Laura
wife to Ken and mom to 8 blessings with #9 due July 26,2009
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KC in TX
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 05 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
|
| Posted: Sept 24 2005 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Willa, I agree. I did do some "super coping" during the past month. Then being home it finally crashed down on me. I will look into the book by St Francis de Sales.
Laura, I do homeschool. I've been reading Real Learning bit by bit--usually in the waiting room during my son's OT and Speech appointments. I want to read it all at once, but I'm savoring it. Elizabeth writes so well. I'm looking into getting the book A Mother's Rule for Life. Thanks for the book suggestions.
__________________
KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erica Sanchez
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 05 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1538
|
| Posted: Sept 26 2005 at 10:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, KC, that is an awful lot to have happen so close together. I think taking a week or so just to rest and be together is great advice. School can wait. If you would like some relaxing and on-the-lighter side reading, I would suggest The Scent of Water, by Elizabeth Goudge (very calming and just takes you away to another world) and The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio, by ____ Ryan (can't think of her first name, but an encouraging read about a mother who overcomes much suffering, although you don't really realize how much suffering because she is so joyful). I'll be praying for you!!!
__________________
Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cathhomeschool
Board Moderator
Texas Bluebonnets
Joined: Jan 26 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7303
|
| Posted: Sept 30 2005 at 9:39am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We're praying for you, KC!
__________________
Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
julia s.
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 394
|
| Posted: Sept 30 2005 at 6:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
KC,
That's a lot to deal with at once. Last year was my year to be hit hard with loss there were four deaths in my family one of them my dad who passed suddenly and the another was my sister's boyfriend of 20 years. I also spent eight days in the hospital with a kidney infection that nearly killed me (and I missed my dad's funeral because of this too).
So when I tell you I know how tired out you feel even though all the dust has settled I truely mean this. Elizabeth has a great article on the 4 real learning website about burnout which came into my life at just the right time (I hope someone can provide the link). I also volunteered to do something outside of the house which didn't take much time but got me out of the house and involved in something so I just wouldn't have to think about it all. And I signed up for flylady.net. My house was falling apart and I just couldn't at the time figure out a schedule or routine to make it all work -- a brain fog.
The thing is to go easy on yourself. Think about what you would like others to help you do right now. I think sometimes the hardest part for women is to admit they need help to get things done. Maybe someone to clean your house or cook a couple meals for you a week or just come watch the kids for awhile so you can relax. Make your school days as easy as possible go on field trips if you can (a change in scenery is good) take walks or just sit outside for awhile and enjoy God's beauty.
You will feel refreshed again -- maybe not as soon as you hope, but it happens. Love those children and know that life is good.
And I'll pray for you.
__________________
julia
married to love of her life
with ds12 ds8 ds3 and ds1
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: Feeling a bit overwhelmed
