Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check in: Tuesday December 4th 2018
Hey all chrsitmas season is here and I know the holdidays can be a major issue for some but always remeber we are all here to support each other and help each other when times are a little rough. But to those who love Christmas just think of it like this if your having a tough week, you now only have 2 Tuesdays between now and Christmas :).
To wrap up this short post,
How do you find the Holidays? tough? Fun?
What are you most looking foward to over the holidays month? doesn't even need to be related to the holidays
Love you all so so much x
@Avaray @BeeLeigh @KLM3278 @jr50 @Morfo66 @KatieMoon1 @Tamba @Jenna0903 @melliotm @inventiveOrange1 @HearingYourHeart @Lilyflower0817 @exuberantTriangle2562 @Ivorycat5573 @weareall1 @moonchild95 @AMusicalSilence @catsith @energeticPenny8 @Rebekahwriter13 @sensitiveShade5337 @singercrystalspirit @Ocendade @tenacity37 @Raveninthelabrynth @blissedNblessed @AriannaPink @sereneSoul23 @Zombii @Godborned @resourcefulPond1641 @Lilibuth12 @Tir @Halogen @Hoxenos @Christine1980 @Compassionatelistener108 @TheHoneyDoll @purpleWest8143 @silverIceCream21 @Bumblebee16 @archerzvy @Musicheals61 @placidFriend3007 @orchard9786 @Calmlake1999 @emotionalMaple9419 @MoreThanAConqueror18 @Redhawk6547 @Sk1ttles @Shayc1 @stella17 @blinkk @Equalnotabove @Compassion21 @lilblackcat89 @amiableSummer3420 @FangsInsanity @rissadawn @brokenflutterby @g00dwitch @No715 @SpruceRaven @tidyMoon3222 @dynamicHemlock1736 @Hope3729 @hardworkingStrawberries3477 @humorousBeing8966 @NancySV1 @spotthedot @courteousNorth5140 @ArianaMay @affectionateNorth4018 @FloweringBunny @loyalDrum2337 @InvaderStitch@redmark @CaringBrit @Ambrosia @practicalIdeal2007 @incompl @Forgive2Live @Ayla @RockClimber18 @rmickelpclr @ReallyRuth @friendlyLake5949 @hopetoday
@Softwhispers
Hi Kass and everyone! I'm a new listener, but I've been a member here for a while now. So, it's nice to meet everyone again in a new way. :)
How do you find the Holidays? tough? Fun?
Both. The holidays were always rough for me as a kid, but I'm trying to take them back for myself and my new family as an adult.
What are you most looking foward to over the holidays month? doesn't even need to be related to the holidays
I like the atmosphere during this time of year, both the giving spirit among people (though I wish people would be this way more all year long - heh) and the changes in nature. I used to hate the cold dreariness of Winter here, but lately I kinda like it for the clean crisp feeling. I'm trying to take a page from nature's book and reframe the loss and what seems so barren as really just nature taking a nap and getting ready to build itself back up in Spring. I think Winter is kind of like one long self-care day, where you just need to chill out under some blankets and snuggle with a stuffie and do something relaxing, so that you can restart more energized the next day.
Hope everyone's doing ok today and you and baby are doing well, Kass. Hugs to all who'd like them!
@AmityLagniappe well I'm happy to say on behalf of everyone it's a pleasure to welcome you to the listening team! I really love the look of winter being a long self care day I never thought of it like that before 
anyways I really hope you enjoy the holidays,
@Softwhispers
Thank you very much :)
@Softwhispers
Find holidays tough. Looking forward to finding a new long-term listener. Haven't found one that clicks yet. Had one but drove them away so now dealing with guilt and self-blame. She was right to leave. I notice I get needier more in winter months but can't stop it. Never thought I'd be one to hurt her but I should have known I'd hurt her. I hurt everyone I come into contact with.
I love the holidays, I get to see more of my family. So it is the UK for Christmas start and then Spain for the week after. The sad part is leaving but at least I get to see everyone. Second Christmas with no daddy though so that is poop, not sure that will ever be normal. I get to see granddad though so, at least I get my granddad pillow.
@AmalieAnne That's nice that you get to see your family and enjoy being around them. Enjoy!
@Kate Not long to go
@AmalieAnne
Hey kiddo xx I'm sorry about the 2nd Christmas without dad.... I hear you xx
I'm glad you get to spend more time with your grandparents though,
Hugs Ames.... And yes I'm being good and typing with my left hand... Although right hand bandaged up has the potential to make me feel grumpy and want to pull it off.... But i cant.
It went ok, just getting anesthetic out my system and chilling in bed.
Xx
@Avaray I think once I have sorted out the letter to daddy with S. (therapist) and then I have my granddad (maybe a little cry with him) then I will be ok. You better be behaving, I know it can be frustrating when you are ill which limits you but let it heal so it will not cause you so much trouble once it is better. I hope that you have got rid of the anesthtic and you have some medicine so that it does not hurt too much. I did not know where to put this so I will put it here. Do not forget the bell make those little people and the bigger one do their duties until you are better.
@AmalieAnne
You make my heart and face smile Ames thanks so much xx it's getting itchy under the brace/bandage and i want to rip it off, been given lectures not too 😕😞
A cry is quite a good things Ames, I'm glad you have your Grandpa there to comfort you and understand. Wish I could take all that stuff away my friend and make it better.
Hugs amazing Ames (and yes you are, no arguments accepted)
@Avaray I have broken some bits and had casts on, so a kitting needle (I think that is the right thing, not the sharp ones but the ones you use to make a jumper or something else) can help. Unless your doctor said no then umm... we do not want you to get an infection so. I will stamp on your foot to distract you or ring the bell for that service 
It will get better so it is only for a little while, you can get through it *hugs* I have taken some medicine so my head is really weird but thank you for the hugs on the My Diary page, just going to wait a little until I get the medicine out of me, it is all a bit mixed up in my head or was before the medicine. I cannot wait to see granddad and everyone else but I am a granddad's girl so.. and he makes a good pillow 
I cried on the phone to granny yesterday and on Monday I cried on Skype with granddad, then with papa. School finishes soon and then Europe and I get to see everyone even my sister who is too prefect. I even miss her even if she is annoying and right all the time. Any who, medicine is making my head go everywhere, do not want to cry (really miss my granddad) and it is lunch time. BE GOOD AVARAY or you will be in trouble, remember I have my own monkey army being part monkey they made me their leader.
@AmalieAnne
😁 thanks for the advice Ames xx
Hope you feel a bit better too.... Hugs my little friend
@Avaray *hugs*
@AmalieAnne
❤
@AmalieAnne
I downloaded my picture, very special thankyou xx
@Softwhispers
I like the holidays, but the only part I don't like is the possiblility of running into the kids from my old school, which would suck.
@friendlyLake5949 Hi Lake!
@Softwhispers hi
@crimsonLime6525
Hi Lime! *waves* Hope you are well today.
@AmityLagniappe not been doing very well at all but so hard to share. Struggling to find my voice so just going to hide in the corner in a pillow fort for a little while
@crimsonLime6525
I'm sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. It's ok if you aren't ready to talk about it yet. It's a big step just to put yourself out hear each day. I'm really glad you checked in. *offers some extra large fluffy pillows for your fort*
Overall, I enjoy them, but this year family stuff feels overwhelming
@ReallyRuth
I think a lot of people here can relate to that feeling. You're not alone. Would you like to talk more about the family things that feel overwhelming?
@AmityLagniappe
It isn't related to the holidays...but bc things are really bad right now, it is too bad that there will be extra time home together. I dont feel up to it
@ReallyRuth
I hear what you're saying. I'm sorry to hear that things are so hard right now with family. Maybe there are some easy simple things that could help fill the time, things everyone enjoys or could be fun or distracting. Sometimes the small things lead to better things. I hope things improve there for you all.
@AmityLagniappe
Maybe it is awful, but right this moment I am trying to focus on the children and to minimize alone time with a certain person
@ReallyRuth
That doesn't sound awful. Sometimes that's the healthiest thing to do for everyone.
@AmityLagniappe
Oh good. I am glad that sounds ok.
I think the holidays are wonderful, though I haven't had many happy ones, I'm collecting more happy ones as I go. I can't wait to be with my family this Christmas. I love them so much.
@betterchoices
I can relate a lot to what you shared here. It's a good feeling to take back the holidays for ourselves and make them what we'd like them to be. Enjoy the season!
Since it is still technically Tuesday here for a few minutes, I'll write here. I'm not going to answer the questions right now though, @Softwhispers.
Just a short while before I got onto 7cups today, I thought I should write to the Trauma SubComm. I don't want to but I am certainly thankful I'm not writing in the Grief & Loss section, today - or right now anyway. I was startled awake this AM by something sounding like a 'herd' of college students running down the hallway or someone trying to move in -carrying something way too big for one person and therefore running into the walls. I got up, out of bed, and looked for the source of this sound. I found my SFO. He was lying on his side, feet and legs thrashing as if running. His head kept hitting the patio door. He was in a seizure. I really do not like seizures - mostly because they are SOOOO hard for me to understand and I feel very helpless.
Then I couldn't find my phone to call our vet. I really was not fully awake yet. It was really scary, guys. I'm glad (in part) that I had been with my SFO when he had a seizure before. So today I was freaking out yes, but at least I knew what to call it or which area to categorize his action. After talking with the vet technician, I declared today a "Stay Home and Take Care of Soft Furry One" day. I'm not sure that he really needed that, but I did. @Kate, @Laura, I really do not know what I will do with myself when my beautiful SFO will die in the future. I have a feeling this may be his last Christmas ........ equals a very VERY sad Platy. My SFO has diabetes and advanced cataracts. He is not blind, but certainly cannot see well. Oh guys, I just want to stay up with him, or cuddle as he sleeps which would continue until I fall asleep. Any of you, your prayers would certainly be appreciated. And thank you for reading. <3 Platy
@rozie @Anomalia @pinkfluffyUnicorns8706 @kindDay4067 @KLM3278 (is that your right number?) #Why #WhyAgain (Dear SFO, Please be not hurt. I love you SOOO much!!!) #PrayersArePowerful
@cyanPlatypus6370
I'm saying a prayer for you and your furbaby right now. I can only imagine how scary that was to see. I think you responded brilliantly, and I'm so glad you were there and knew what to do. I'm also super proud of you for remembering your own self-care today and taking time to be with SFO. I know I would have done the same thing. Well done for recognizing both of your and SFO's needs. Please keep us posted if you feel comfortable.
@cyanPlatypus6370 Oh no Platy. I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope he's ok. Please keep us updated. Sending lots of hugs.
@cyanPlatypus6370
Dear Platy my prayers are with you! <3, C.
@cyanPlatypus6370 I am not sure what SFO means but I have had seizures so someone being close means a lot, so you might feel helpless but you can be there which is helpful in itself.
@cyanPlatypus6370
Hey Platy, was just thinking of you guys and wanted to check back in to see how you're both doing. Hope SFO is doing ok. Hugs if you'd like them.
Hi Amity, Kate, KLM, Miss KindC (new name for you?) and all of you amazing persons!
Update for SFO: SFO seems to be doing a LOT better! like maybe 98 or 99 percent better :) Tuesday most of the morning was well, not right. I think it was about 3pm when we went outside and back in that SFO was like 'oh stairs yeah I've done these like everywhere.' In the morning the stairs (we live 2nd floor) were nearly overwhelming for him. It was like he had aged 7 years in the night! I don't know why a being (human or other animal) has a seizure. I don't know what it does to the body or more importantly? to the brain! There is so much I don't know, that I really wish I did somehow. Anyway ...
I'm well, sort of okay. I met with my counselor again today. I think most counselors would put our session in the category good or 'good session.' It was really hard, guys. (Yes definitely I'll accept hugs.) I was talking about - or trying to talk about - an event that happened years ago ... but I haven't really dissected or processed through it. I was in tears, not surprising ... but if you know me, then yes surprising.
This could get long (okay, longer) really easily, so I'll pause for now. SFO and I headed for last walk for night and then grab dry clothes from dryer :) Clean clothes! :)
Good night/Good morning to you all! Thanks for reading with/about me (SFO too). and many thanks for your prayers <3 Platy
@AmityLagniappe @kindDay4067 @Kate @KLM3278 .... :)
@cyanPlatypus6370
I'm glad it is a positive update. 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾💕
@cyanPlatypus6370
I'm so glad you checked back in with us. What a relief that SFO is doing better. I'm happy that you both are feeling better.
Sounds like it has been quite a week for you, between this and the tough therapy session. You did great!
@AmityLagniappe - yes it was a (insert proper word) week for me, for SFO too. I found out about 5 hours ago that my brother and his family have made it to M&D's home safely. (Oh yeah, I was supposed to be wrapping gifts tonight... (sigh)) Maybe tomorrow afternoon can 'just' be a "play with niece and nephew" day. Yes, last week was rather too full of WHOA! My brother and family are here most all week - depending on the weather. It will be good to spend more time with them :) Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370
That sounds wonderful! Enjoy the time for connecting and decompressing from last week's stresses.
Yes, @AmityLagniappe, thank you. I do hope so. Today was good. [[A main way to make any of these days better is to have Mom (or Dad too) invite SFO along that he might come and play with their dog and first meet Nephew (age3) and maybe niece (age1) - I guess if I really want that to happen I'll have to actually ask, not just wish for it in my head 
]] ~ Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370 Dear Platy its so good to read your words! Ill keep you in my prayers. Have a comfy nght!
@cyanPlatypus6370
I will pray for your furry baby. I know this is very hard. Saying prayers 💕
How do you find the Holidays? tough? Fun? They are complicated as my birthday is near as well, 13th. Spiritually I know its about Baby Jesus, but I feel like there is no joy or magic now that I'm an adult.
What are you most looking foward to over the holidays month? The food, presents
@Rebekahwriter13 ...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (okay not yet but you know on that day ) Sending some hugs if you like :) Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370 thank you. Hugggs