Work in Progress

I will forever be a work in progress but I am OK with that. I am better today than I was yesterday, and will be better tomorrow than I am today. I have been broken more times than I can count but it has made me who I am today. I am proud of the person I am. My ex-husbands may disagree but you can’t win them all. 🤷‍♀️😜🤣

My abusive ex said he read my blog and knew my husband left because of me and my kids. Ummmm hello, the whole world knows that 🤣. This is a public blog for a reason. I immediately thought maybe I should stop writing. He is attempting to gather evidence because he is trying to get custody of William. I realized I will not stop writing. I have absolutely nothing to hide. This is my story, my life, and I refuse to be bullied and manipulated any more! So what I have depression. So what I have Chiari. So what I have had 3 failed marriages. I am an amazing person and refuse to let him drag me down ever again! I will tell my story in the hopes of inspiring others facing some of the same situations I have faced and am facing. We all have problems, most people hide them and try to keep a perfect image. I’m breaking the stigma. I’m going to be real.

Boy am I proud of how strong I am! I am so impressed with my progress. I am proud that I can be kind to a man who destroyed me and my children. That takes a level of courage and strength I never thought I would possess. I had actually asked my husband to do the communicating with my abusive ex as it created an anxiety in me that I was not yet able to control. My husband did not understand why I felt that way and it was a very sore spot in our relationship. He didn’t understand the pain and anguish my children and I went through and the fact it affects us to this day. He just couldn’t, for whatever reason, and thought it was crazy I couldn’t handle the stress of communicating with him. I would physically shake because I was so anxious and feel sick to my stomach. I still have these feelings to this very day but I have made huge strides in controlling my emotions and I couldn’t be more proud of myself.

It’s not easy facing these things alone. To be honest I never thought I would be alone again. But when my husband looked at me and said, “I can’t care about you the way I thought I could”, I knew I’d be alone the rest of my life. And I am 100 percent OK with that. I’ve got this! ❤❤❤

When is Enough Enough

I really try hard to not feel sorry for myself because ultimately I am blessed beyond measure. But today I’m having a moment of why me. Why am I always going through something? Can’t I just have a little break?

I’m been sick, yes, sick again. It’s what my life consists of. And instead of having people who support me, I have people who choose to leave. I have an ex who won’t stop texting me telling me what an awful parent I am and how he has our son more than me and I should pay him money. I have politely and kindly asked him to stop but that does no good. He brings our 9 year old into these parent issues and my son is crying and confused. I have asked him to not bring our son into these adult issues but his response is he tells him everything. I do the same, but on the level of a 9 year old, not as if he is an adult and can handle these issues.

It is breaking my heart literally, but I won’t let it break me ever again. What I have learned from my last husband leaving is you can’t depend on anyone except yourself. I’m focused on only my children at this time. I care about nothing else. I am becoming a better person every day for them and myself.

I’ve always been a good person, but what happens with good souls is they are taken advantage of and destroyed. I am learning how to not let others break my spirit. Learning how to protect myself from lower vibrations. I wish I had learned these tactics years ago and saved myself and children from this heartache of a life we have had. But better late than never. Previously I would have let these shenanigans he is pulling at this time ruin my whole mood and day. Today it makes me sad and I had a brief moment of why me. I let myself have that moment, but didn’t allow it to dwell. I know you can’t change people no matter how much you want them to become better. All I can do is make sure I’m doing the best I can. I can guarantee I am doing so with love and the best of intentions for everyone. ❤

God Will Open a Window

I found my husband’s ring today and any other day it would have brought me to tears. Today I placed it with mine and went about my day.

The truth is I don’t want a divorce. I have actually begged him to work through things with me, go to a counselor with me, I’m willing to do anything, but I get no response. It has completely torn me apart and I’ve fought my way through this darkness for nearly two months.

A few days ago I was at work and in a patient’s room. It was early morning and we were both silent as I was at the computer charting. She suddenly says, “when God closes a door He always opens a window, and you’re always better for it in the end”. Then she went silent. Tears came to my eyes because I am sure she was talking about her circumstances, but I know God sent that message for me! I quickly left the room and cried. But it was a good cry. God meets you where you are and knows what you need when you need it.

That was a pivotal moment for me. I gave it up to God and know I’ll be better off at the end of this tunnel. Not to say I won’t ever be sad about it, but I’m at peace and know He has a greater plan for me. I am deserving of a real true and love.

For Better or Worse

I don’t know who needs to hear this but don’t get married if you don’t want to be with that person through hard times as much as the good. I married my husband because I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him for better or worse. He no longer wants a part of my life. He cannot deal with sickness, depression, suicidal step children, or a youngster with ADHD. I mean I get it, it’s difficult, but most things worth it are. Life is not all roses. Find someone who will weather the storm with you, hold you down, and have your back when you don’t have your own. I deserve that too, so I’m trying to be thankful he left me now as opposed to later when my condition worsens.

December last year I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation. I’ve known for years something was wrong. Now I have a name for it. It wasn’t until I delivered my stillborn January of last year that my symptoms became intolerable. I am dizzy most days and I can’t concentrate or remember anything. I can’t think or talk straight. And many days I am so exhausted I literally cannot get out of bed. I have doctor appointments upon doctor appointments and I hate it. I have never been to the doctor this much. And to be honest I can’t even afford it, but what choice do I have.

So I now have doctors also not supporting me and telling me my Chiari is nothing lol. I would gladly let them have my Chiari if it is nothing because it is awful and no one seems to care. You get left behind and the world goes on around you while you try your best to keep up when you can. And then your husband tells you he can’t handle it anymore and there he goes out the door. Um, ok and I guess I can just deal with it on my own. 🤷‍♀️

The fact is I most certainly can do this on my own. I am a very strong and capable woman. The thing is though, I chose to spend my life with him. I wanted him beside me for these moments. But you cannot make someone care and be there when they just don’t. And I don’t want him unhappy either. So it is what it is and I’ll continue my crazy so called life with people who truly care about all of me and not just the healthy, fun me. I am worthy of complete love not just when it is convenient. It doesn’t mean I’m not sad because this hurts more than anything I’ve been through. But as always, I will overcome and be better for it. ❤

Overcoming Depression

I started this blog as a way to deal with my depression and life circumstances. I stopped writing because my husband did not like what I was saying. He felt it made him look bad. I respected that, so I stopped. He is a good person and I am not in any way trying to make him look bad. He loved me the best he could. Until he just couldn’t anymore.

The truth is I want to write. It’s not for anyone else but myself. However, I do hope some can resonate with some of it and know they are not alone. Most people I know with depression isolate themselves which is exactly what I do. I also know lots of people who do not believe in depression. To each their own.

My husband left a month ago. He is not able to deal with my depression and mood swings. He feels I am mean to him. When I am upset or sick I shut down and he does not understand it. I don’t fault him for that. He is sensitive and it hurts him. I know it is difficult. It is difficult for myself to deal with, so how can I expect that of him? I’m used to dealing with this on my own. No one I’ve been with deals with this as well, so they are unable to empathize. I have no one, as I said I self isolate, so I have no one to blame but myself for that.

On top of my depression, I recently found out I have Chiari Malformation. I’ve known something wasn’t right for years. But since having Sammy, my symptoms spiraled. I truly believe trying to push him out made my brain slide further into my spinal column causing more extreme symptoms for me. I didn’t know I had this before I gave birth to him. They say if you have chiari, you should have cesarean section as the pushing puts too much pressure on the brain. I’ve never had the dizziness or this much brain fog. Some days I can barely think and I’ve been told it’s like I’m not paying attention. I am, but I cant focus and retain the information. It’s awful, I feel like I have the brain of a 90 year old. I can’t remember anything. I talk backwards and can’t think of words. I know lots of people cant think of words, but imagine that times 100. Its embarrassing, I’m young! I shouldn’t be doing all the things I’m doing! But I can’t help it. It’s part of who I am now. Having both depression and Chiari has been a double struggle for me.

I was recently told it is all in my head and I’m crazy. That is coming from someone who has never dealt with depression or can even wrap their mind around it. They truly think it is in your head and you should just stop it and get over it. Those who also deal with depression know this is not the case for us. But we all know people who think we shouldn’t feel this way and it’s all made up in our head. If only it were that simple. I just wish they could stand in our shoes for just a day. Every day is a battle. A struggle to overcome. No one understands this unless they have been there themselves.

As I said earlier, he left a month ago. This has been a long and awful month for me. But I made it! Today is a new day and I’m determined to enjoy every second of today. I haven’t been able to mow my grass for a few weeks. But the up side to that was I picked a few “flowers” to enjoy. I’m laying in a pool I put a lot of time and hard work putting up with my kid’s help. It may have a “shallow and deep” end unintentionally 😜 but it works for me. I watered my plants I’ve neglected for days. After enjoying some alone quiet time in my pool I’m going to attempt to fix my mower. I’ve put off everything I was doing in my life for a month now and it’s time to get back at it! I’ve got a lot of projects to finish and I’ve got a lot to be grateful for. I’ve been through all this before and I always come out on top! ❤

If you’re struggling and need someone to talk to, I am here for you!

Chiari

I recently found out I have Chiari malformation where my brain does not have enough room. It slips down into the spinal cord causing neurological issues. I have wondered if the abuse I was subjected to by my ex husband created this monster or just made it worse. Sometimes I want him to pay for what he’s done to me and my kids but reality is, that would do nothing for me. The only thing he can do at this time is be a better person for my son. I sometimes want to be mad. I want to blame him. I want to be angry. But ultimately, I’m just not. What a miserable person he must have been to do all the things he has done to so many people. I wish him nothing but healing so he doesn’t continue to ruin people’s lives.

With the diagnosis of Chiari comes more questions and not many answers. I’ve known for years something was wrong with me. I just didn’t know what. But I knew enough to know that feeling like you’re 90 when you’re in your thirties is NOT normal. No matter how many people tell you just wait till you’re older. Especially when you look fine on the outside. I’m not fine and I’ve known it, I just didn’t know why. I’ve had plenty of people tell me I’m just lazy, like I enjoy feeling so old. 🙄😂

It feels good to finally know why I can’t make it through a day without a nap. Or why some days I have absolutely no energy and have to force myself to get anything done. I hate it! I’m young! I like to make, create, do, and here I am, I’m stuck with a body that is unable to function some days. On those days I lay in bed with a heating pad on my head and face. The pressure in my head is relentless and no amount of medicine touches it. I’ve even recently tried topamax, a seizure medicine also used for migraines. It was the worst experience of my life. It made me a zombie and I couldn’t think or make any kind of decisions. It was scary and I told my doctor after three weeks I’m never taking it again. I tried the medicine even though I didn’t want to. I felt I can’t complain if I don’t try what they suggest.

Unfortunately there is no cure for Chiari. It is simply managing symptoms and if it worsens there is always surgery to give my brain more room by cutting a hole in my skull 🙄. At least I know the why and now it’s finding what medications will work for my issues. I’ve finally felt like myself for the past few days which I am so grateful for. It has been a very long couple of months. I joined a support group on Facebook for Chiari malformation and it has been a godsend. I read my story over and over and I cry because someone else actually understands! A complete stranger no less, but I am not alone. ❤️❤️

Faking It

On the outside I look like I’m a normal 40 year old woman. On the inside, I’m barely holding it together. I’m sick of people not taking me seriously because I look fine. I am anything but! But no one cares. No one cares that I don’t have full feeling in my right arm and that every single task I do takes extra willpower and a fake smile just to perform it and make it look like it’s not killing me. And pretend like my right cheek isn’t numb. I ignore that the right side of my head has so much pressure that I can’t see right and my right neck is in so much pain and that pain shoots down my shoulder and into my arm. When in reality picking up even a drinking cup with my right arm is difficult and it hurts today. And it’s scary when you’re a nurse and you’re doing important things with your arms all day. But I do it, I fake it. I act like I’m fine and use my left arm more than normal to ty to compensate. And stretch my right arm in funny ways to try and work it out. But there’s only so much I can do. I cried plenty of times today. I’m tired and scared quite honestly. I’m tired of working so hard at a job that no one appreciates what I do. Let alone the fact that no one appreciates that I’m doing it while I feel like half of my body is literally dying. I am killing myself for a job that would replace me tomorrow if something happened to me. Always requesting more and more from me, my hard work is never enough.

So all of that to say that I’m not always kind. As much as I wish I were, I’m not. But I try to be as often as possible. I just wish I got the same in return. Because quite honestly most days I’m just barely holding it together…

Finding Answers

I started noticing odd things about 8 years ago. I noticed I had trouble holding spoons when I was making food and stirring it. My hand just didn’t want to hold onto it properly. I found it harder and harder to lift a pan with just one hand and flip it over into a bowl. Simple things you do daily and don’t think twice about. Over the years it has worsened and I now can’t even write with a pen or pencil for very long.

These past few months my hands and feet will go numb for no reason. I’ll be sitting at work and my leg goes numb and I find myself shaking it to try and make it feel normal. My last two fingers go numb and tingling often and it radiates up my arm. I stretch and shake them but it doesn’t help. I’m so busy at work I just keep going. I really don’t have time to even think about it. Then there’s the pressure behind my right eye and ear. And the pressure at the base of my skull that feels like it’s going to explode at any moment. But I keep going because well, what else can I do? I don’t really have a choice. I go on about my day as if everything is fine when it really isn’t. It’s harder and harder to function and my brain is in a fog more days than not. It’s scary actually.

I now have headaches almost daily and recently have the added pleasure of dizziness that comes and goes as it pleases. Oftentimes migraines where I spend an entire day in bed unable to move. When I work it takes everything out of me and I spend the entire next day in bed with a heating pad rotating from my head to my back recuperating like a 100 year old. I don’t understand why my body does these things it just does. Trust me I don’t want to feel this way. I have so many things to do. So many things I want to do. My body just won’t cooperate. And the hardest part of all of it is the fact that no one understands how I feel at all. So I act like I’m fine. But I’m not. I have so many more symptoms but it’s really here nor there. The point is it sucks!

I’ve gone to the doctor more times this year than I ever have because I’m so sick of feeling this way just praying for some answers and they are finally starting to come. I most likely have Chiari malformation where my brain is slipping into my spinal cord. I’m still waiting for more answers but it’s a relief to know what’s causing my issues. While there is no relief in sight it is good to know the cause. It has taken a long time for answers as no one seems to have take the time to listen to what I have been telling them over the years what is going on with me and it has taken this entire year to have an mri ordered 🙄. Gotta love our healthcare system! At least I have finally found the cause and can appreciate what I have while I have it.

With it being Christmas I just wish people would stop focusing on stupid gifts and what they don’t have and be grateful for what they are blessed with and help others along the way instead of always worrying about what can they want next. It sickens me what our kids are turning into. I hope my children see others and their needs and help them instead of focusing on their personal wants. This world needs more of that. I just hope some day they see and understand that for themselves ❤️❤️

Peace

I have been dealing with my abusive ex as he is the father of my youngest. He is still trying to control what I do and telling me I’m an unfit mother. Does it hurt? It does, but only for a moment! I know I’m a good mother. I know I’m a great person. Am I perfect? Not even close lol. But I know my worth and he cannot take that from me no matter what he says! He can make all the accusations he wants to, but the fact is, they aren’t real. And anyone who chooses to believe him is definitely not any part of my life and he has them fooled. Honestly, I feel sorry for those people. He can say he has changed all he wants, but when people in his life close to him call me crying about what he is doing, I know he hasn’t. But he is good to my son at this time and that is all I care about.

https://thoughtcatalog.com/rania-naim/2017/10/im-slowly-learning-that-i-dont-have-to-react-to-everything-that-bothers-me/

I have peace in the midst of his accusations, and I know everything will work out as it always does. He claims he is taking me to court for custody. It’s sad that he even thinks he needs to with the fact that I let him see his son whenever his son wants to should be a testament to my character. Just yesterday my son wanted to stay at his house. I have these days off and really wanted to spend them with my son, but he wanted to stay there. So I told him he could. Ultimately, all I care about is my son’s happiness. Even though his father will claim otherwise. I am the bigger person and always will be. He can’t change my loving heart! ❤️ I am beyond proud of who I am and what I stand for. I will never let him destroy me or my children again. I am at peace. ❤️❤️❤️

I’m a Nurse and I Cried at Work

I cried at work. It is not the first time. However, it is the first time I have cried for this particular reason. I have cried many times as a matter of fact. I have been unable to save a life. I have delivered news of having a terminal illness and pretty much handing over a death sentence to young and old alike. I’ve seen many people die, young, old, sick, and healthy even. But last night I cried not because a patient died, but because I am unable to care for my patients as they deserve.

What has our healthcare system come to? I am a nurse. My job is to care for patients. Unfortunately, I am unable to do so in a manner in which I would like to see my own family member cared for and I just cannot take it much more. We as nurses and aids are strapped for time. Running for 13 hours straight, lucky if we get to eat. God forbid you actually have a drink of water, coffee, anything, during those 13 hours. Forget peeing. You have patients sitting in urine for hours because you don’t have the time or staff resources to get to them until then. Is this what you want for your family member? Me either. So I cried.

I am devastated I cannot give a bath to every single patient every single day. That should be standard care I should think. But when you don’t have time, you just don’t have time. I’m sorry but that’s just unforgivable and I’m so embarrassed to work this way. You haven’t had fresh water today, I’m sorry I will get to it when I can. It might be 2 minutes. It might be 3 hours. You just never know. It all depends on how we are staffed that day and how many patients I have assigned to me. Oh, the list could go on and on but I’ll spare you. Just know being a floor nurse breaks my heart daily and I’m sorry to each and every patient and their friends and family.

The most unfortunate part is there is absolutely nothing I can do. My hands are tied. You can’t change the healthcare system. You just have to play the game. And that’s what your health amounts to. A game of how to cut corners and make money. For this I am sorry and I don’t want to play the game anymore.