Months later;

The clearest memories were just living day to day. Trying to get through eachday. After months I did start doing a little more. Was the pain gone? Hell no! Was the pain worse? No. Thank God. I had succeeded in getting by that thirty percent chance of having more pain. It was a different pain now. And to this day. It is a dull everlasting pain. Always there. When the brace came off it was as if I had no muscles at all. Started taking muscle relaxers for a while also, which completely screwed me cause I would try to function and do things, get sore, take a pill, do more, get sore, take a pill. Looking back, wasn't giving myself a chance to build muscle. At that point though I was in a mode, a survival mode. I thought that they were kidding when they told me it would be three years before I could even start to live a somewhat "Normal" life. Three years was about right to function. But thats about it. It took about 5 years for me to feel like I had done the right thing. I wasn't afraid of pain, I can take allot of pain. I let the fear of having another surgery cripple myself. Not just my body, but my brain. You do your best, or atleast I hope that I did. We sold our house at this point and moved into a trailor. We were building another one. All of this writing has really made me realize when everything started. The anxiety, depression, sleep disorders. I remember staying up until 4 or 5 in the morning at the trailor. Still got up and got my daughter to school. Went through the whole day, never napped. Seems like I go from one extreme to another. I was defenitely getting depressed at that time and just didn't know what it was. I remember calling my parents and telling them that I couldn't breathe. Going out on the deck in the cold air to get a breathe. My dad even went as far as to see if I had a gas leak in my oven. lol. God. Started to isolate myself. Only went where I absolutely had to. Lived for my kids. And its amazing when your in this mode how you can come up with stuff to do with them, I had them all reading by age of 4. Did lots of stuff together. As long as it was in my comfort zone. I even had a brand new house to look forward too, our dream house. I was just depressed, and come to think of it now, this is when the breathing and anxiety started.

Putting Anxiety to Rest for now

I just want to say a few more things about anxiety, then I will stop on this subject. But please, If anyone reads this and is wondering if I have felt what your feeling, or any questions about my experiences please just ask.

I guess what I have probably learned the most from anxiety attacks and when I get them in my life is that they are a signal for you to take a breathe and slow down. Literally. But really maybe it is just your bodies way of telling you slow down, take a breathe, I'm tired.

I think that an anxiety attack can happen without warning and usually do with me. If it is happening when you are sleeping its really scary. My doctor called it "Busy sleeping" which I guess means even though you are trying to sleep you are still thinking. I used to add my checkbook up in my sleep, make a list of crap I had to do the next day, even make my bed while I was asleep. Well I thought I was. It was a bunch of little stuff, but I was amazed at how accurate i was with my checking account. lol

I still have problems with change; I hate change and really need to work on that. It freaks my system out. I hate appointments or something that I have to do and usually still cancel although not near as much.

I've learned that sleep is so very important. And yea I've went through those times where I didn't sleep for days. It sucks. I do take something to sleep, I have to, if I don't get sleep my depression and anxiety go crazy.

You cant die from this awful crap. Although you feel like you are. Even if you pass out. I asked my doctor what happens when you pass out, do you die. She said that no actually your brain resets and its actually better when you come too. Although I would never pass out if I had the choice and its hard for that to make you feel better when you are driving your kids around.

SO you have to breathe and what happens is something to do with when you hyperventilate you are exhaling too much carbon dioxide compared to the amount of oxygen that you have in your blood stream . That's why they put a bag over your mouth. Although some think this might be more dangerous now. I still cant do that but i will cup my hands over my mouth and nose then take in ten deep breaths. While I'm doing that I try to slow down my breathing.


Ask your family if they had or have it. They will probably say no cause you cant talk about it I guess, like it makes you a weak person, but I bet one of them do. Also, with depression. My mom told me one day "I think you need an anti-depressant" I said well how would a person know. She said well I'm on them. I proceeded to tell her that It would have been very helpful to know that years ago. lol. I never knew it. Like I said I guess they think its a weakness.

I still want to just take off and flee when I have one; Its like you just want to jump out of your body or start running away. Its normal. Although it sucks. I pace allot too. And my family can tell when I'm getting anxious because I will talk allot. Fast, and mix up my words. They don't know that I'm doing that just to mess with them. lol. Not really

Something that was really painful to me although I am getting a handle on it was the burning in my chest. It felt like something was just burning right through me from the inside. I was told by my doctor that it is the acid in your stomach, It comes up your chest and that's why it burns. I think I used to carry mylanta. I think that's what I used to carry in my purse. might want to check on that before using for the burning in your chest. lol.

I had a huge fear of dying, it controlled my life. I fear others dying also. After getting blood clots and really almost dying that fear has somewhat went away. And for those of you who believe in God, I have to say, when you feel completely overwhelmed, just tell him to take all of your worries, it is in his control. And like my uncle and God father told me, "When you say it you have to actually let him" I still catch myself saying it then the next day start my crap again and try to be in control of everything.

If you let people know what you are going through I promise you will find someone who is too and is just probably embarrassed to say it. which i have no idea why. I don't care I just tell them now. But I had to get to that point. It used to be so important for me for people to understand what I was going through. But you really cant think like that or your just setting yourself up for a let down. How could they if they haven't had one? And do they really even care? I don't know. It took along time for me to get to the point where if someone doesn't understand. Oh well. If they dont care, then they aren't worth having around. You dont need someone to even understand if you can just find someone who will let you talk and listen. I swear to God that took them right away with me if someone would just listen. If you cant find someone then I will listen.... Just have to tell me.

The "What ifs" Oh my God did I do this. Everything was well what if, what if, what if. Well after doing this with my doctor for over an hour she turned it on me. She would say well what if. What is the worst, very worst thing that can happen. Start asking yourself that. Its good. Well what if my house isnt clean. Umm nobody comes here anyway. Well what if I die. Umm you die. That one is still hard for me. Well what if she doesn't understand and they think I'm crazy. Well then screw them. Maybe they are the crazy ones. lol.

And last; Your going to get better. You are. You just have to sort your life and figure out what makes them worse, better, how to breathe, the right medications (If you believe in medication),
find good people who make you feel good. Seriously, it takes time but it does get better. Try not to over think everything, which i still do from time to time. When your up in the middle of the night don't sit there and think about stuff. Do a crossword, watch a movie, something that will take you mind off everything that you don't control anyway. And I'm sorry if this offends anyone but once in a while you have to just say F it. Maybe for a whole day. whatever it takes. Thank you for letting me go on and on. I hope that I have helped even one person. And I will make posts on anything else that I forgot to mention, things that may help you, or when I have another damn anxiety attack. Talk to you tomorrow. lololol. Just kidding

I wanted to die; but God took her instead

I overheard my mom talking on the phone one day. She was telling someone how tired she was and didn't feel good. She was on oxygen and I was sitting there letting her take care of me and my kids. I don't think she would have had it any other way. So I called my grandma and was crying hysterically, I told her she had to take me to my house. Well I pretty much begged. I can't believe how I just called and wanted them to be right there for me. Guess that's what you do when you are desperate. I really wouldn't have cared if I just laid there and died if I didn't have my kids. She stayed with us for about a half a year. Yea this crap doesn't just go away. My grandma was my best friend from the time I was little. She was an angel from heaven. The best person you would ever meet. I would watch her bathe, dress, play, sing, feed, etc. my little one. Just watch her. She was like sixty. I knew she would never not take care of them. I can remember looking down from my bedroom in the middle of the night and watching her feed and rock her to sleep. I felt guilty, but not enough to go take my baby. This wasn't like me. I always had my kids in my arms. When she left, my safe person was leaving. I felt so overwhelmed. But it may have been what I needed. I don't know. I pretty much followed her to her house which was fifty minutes away and would stay for weeks at a time. She never said anything, but thinking back I bet she wished she could just get a break. One of the worst things ever in my life was when she died three years ago. I tried so hard to be strong, I didn't want to go down again. But I couldn't be strong. I would just like to have one more conversation with her. I tried to pay her back for everything by taking care of her when she was sick. And you know how people say that they love you..... but you know they are full of shit. She loved me and she loved my kids. I only hope that someday I will get the chance to help someone like she helped me. And guess what I am taking care of my daughter, I'm getting healthier, and yes I'm still on meds. Don't think I will ever go off of them again. I've tried out of guilt from others. I've pretty much decided that addicted or not I'm going to be on this medication forever. Although, I'm so happy for those of you who can take it for a few months then go off. I think that's how its supposed to work. I don't know.

Broken- Still at my moms

I was a thirty years old bent down laying on my moms lap asking her to kill me. Like she would of. She just went along with it. I was so much work. I was so sick. She would get so mad at me practically force feeding me. I still could go without eating. My weight just kept going down, and you know what I didn't care. Thank God they cared. I would lay there and just watch my mom take care of my baby, my teenagers, thats all I cared about deep down. Who does that? I did. My dad used to ask me to play cards with him. I still remember how my brain wouldn't work. Everything was so hard to do. But he just kept it up, even when I didn't want to. You know just someone taking time to play cards with you; made a huge difference.

In my mind I had nothing to look forward to. Even though I had a baby there. I would wonder what I was even doing here. And you really do feel like a burden. My parents used to say look at this and have me look out the window at this and that. Like I cared. But they kept going, didnt give up on me. Its a good thing cause I'm sure I would have just layed there and let myself fade away.

My husband took me to the emergency room one night. I wanted to be put into a damn hospital. I went to a therapist one time and the first thing she told me was that if she felt like my kids were in danger she would have to report it. WHAT? I remember that and I was a good mom up to now, I made sure I was at my moms so they would be taken care of. I shut down. I couldn't think clearly, what If I said something wrong?? Back to the hospital, sorry, I jump around so much when I write. So I'm at the hospital and I tell the doctor that I've got postpartum depression, I explain everything. I was trying to tell him that I need help. They send a lady in to evaluate me. She said "Are you thinking about harming yourself or anyone else?" I said "NO, but I want to die." She said she was sorry but unless I had a plan or had considered how I would harm myself or someone else they couldn't help me. What a bunch of crap. Although, almost ten years later, I'm sure they all were just doing their jobs. I didn't have insurance so everyone I called either needed insurance or we made too much money to get help from them. Didn't have enough money to get help, on and on and on.

Your mind is so powerful. But when you think you've lost it, your broken.

How did I get like this???

It about four in the morning. Can't sleep. Starting to write about all of this stuff has really brought back memories. I don't know if that is so good. I was just wondering when and how I started changing. I don't remember ever not being in pain. Well there was one day that I didn't have any and I called my parents. I told them this is what people feel like when they don't have pain all of the time. I was informed that everyone has pain somewhere. But I have actually met people who don't have pain. I had scoliosis at like eleven, it just got worse every year. Yes, I'm one of those girls who got married at 16. Not recommend but I'm still married, so we have done something right. I had my first baby at seventeen. I wasn't depressed then, I can remember being happy and full of life. Had my second kid at 20. Wasn't depressed then. So I guess it started after my back surgery. I was about 21. That surgery is a whole other story. OMG, I don't know if I could do that again. Although its bound to happen. OK not thinking about that right now. I think it was the year that I spent in bed, completely dependent on someone for everything. Had my first anxiety attack at25 will never forget that. Its kinda funny now, although I would rather have another surgery than have them all of the time. I have to tell you that story in my next post. I was so full of life what the H happened to me? Went nuts at 30 when I had my third unexpected baby, which come to find out was a huge blessing my life. But the postpartum depression sucked. I am functioning now and healthier than I've been in ten years but its been a struggle. I think stress will kill you. lol. not really funny. Recently, well 3 years ago, had to move to lower elevation after building our dream home. This was all due to me getting blood clots and I cant breathe at higher elevation. That made my husband happy. not. So starting over. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger? I'm sure that is true but I need some strength fast. The crazy thing is I'm pretty sure that people just try to stress me out. They are like oh she feels good today lets mess with her. Everyone is tired of me always having a surgery, depression, anxiety; I wonder if they think I enjoy it? Oh and I'm a grandma now. I love that baby. I swear to God if everyone could just act like kids do. They enjoy everything. The little things. The lesson I've learned after I was given 10 minutes before I was put on life support for blood clots. Making it through it and still kicking;

ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS. I KNOW THAT'S A SAYING THAT IS ALWAYS USED BUT REALLY IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER. LOOK AT LIFE LIKE A TWO YEAR OLD DOES, WITHOUT THE TEMPER TANTRUMS.

FRIEND? OR NO

My mom always told me that I didn't have allot of friends because I didn't want them. To some degree she was right. Its not that I didn't want friends I'm just picky. This comes through experiences I guess. Most of my friends were phone friends. I talked on the phone with them a few times a week or some of them everyday, but would go for months or years without seeing them. I didn't like leaving the house. I was busy raising kids, and cleaning house.... But when I got the postpartum depression I found out just who my friends were or weren't. The people that I thought would truly care and help me were nowhere to be found. Didn't understand, or I guess i will try to be fair and say that some people just don't know how to respond to people who are sick. A few people just showed up and called everyday. It was definitely a one-way ed friendship i had nothing to give and wasn't interested in anything they were going through. I was at the point that i didn't care. I was just trying to function everyday. There was a total of probably four girls who took me under their wing. They had there own families, and I didn't see them allot but they called constantly and actually helped me just by having them. Guess what, only two of them were friends that I had actually ever hung out with or knew real well. That's the way it goes I found out that you really only will have a few good friends in your life, or I will and that doesn't include my family members who were there because without my family i don't know how i would have ever gotten through all of this. I lived for my kids. Thats it. Eventually you learn that you have to live for yourself also. This is something that I have really had to work on. I held grudges for a long time. But you know what that only makes you worse. I have to tell myself GET OVER IT! AND BE THANKFUL FOR THE PEOPLE THAT YOU DO HAVE IN YOUR LIFE.

Postpartum Depression I- Guilt

I'm laying here looking at my nine year old. shes beautiful and truly a blessing from God. and I wonder how I could have ever literally shrieked inside when she cried. I never wanted to hurt her or was mad at her it was just this feeling like someone was scratching a chalkboard when she would cry inside of me. I kept it to myself. I was sooo ashamed of having that feeling. I remember telling someone that i couldnt stop crying. I wish i could remember who. But she said, "Well maybe its time that you did cry. Just cry." I dont know why that helped me but it did. It was like someone was giving me the permission to cry. I didnt even know what the ....... I was crying for. And it was a cry like i had never done before. It came from my gut. It seemed like it lasted for ever, but looking back the crying probably only lasted a couple of weeks, maybe a month.

Others' reactions hit hard

I cant tell you how many people told me "You have to just fix your brain," or, "Its all it your head." Well yeah! thats obvious. "You have everything in the world" "What could you possibly be depressed about?" I was so sick and tired of hearing that. Obviously if we knew what was wrong we would fix it. The problem is that we dont know what is wrong. It has nothing to do with what you do or dont have in my opinion. I think it can hit anyone. It doesnt matter if you are living in a mansion or a hotel. Depression can hit anyone. But if they havent went through it be prepared for negative feedback. My doctor told me something that I will never forget. I was telling her about what people were saying and she said that I need to stay away from negative people and surround myself with people who may not understand but will at least try. Positive people. It also helped me to just say ok, I'm going to just take one hour at a time. Im not going to think about tomorrow and it is hard at first. And if I couldnt do one hour at a time i did fifteen minutes at a time. Although Im going to write tomorrow since its like one in the morning right now about my grandma moving in with me. Because at that point I didnt care if the floor literally fell in and sunk as far as it could go. I didnt care who was there or what they had to say. I just didnt care...... And you know what thats ok. I needed to not care for a while; I had overloaded myself from caring about everyone but myself for so long that it was ok not to care..... I know that now.....

Postprtum Depression II- The worst things I've ever been through

For the past nine years I have tried to put postpartum depression out of my mind. It was the hardest time in my life and I cant seem to get past it. I cant afford a therapist so I'm going to write about it and share my story. My story is long and I remember almost too much about it. But with the hope of just helping one person get through it I'm going to write about it. I guess although I think about it allot, the thing that bothers me is that so many women go through it and are afraid to talk about it. Well don't be with me. I don't care what people say about it being in your head or all of the other things. Its real and its not funny. You do get better but when your going through it you feel completely alone, even when you have people around you. And to be fair they really don't know what to do, but at the time I took it as most of them didn't even care. It was my problem. And when you are that low it is hard to come out of it without help. The biggest help will be to talk to someone who has had it. Or it was for me.



I knew that i was not feeling right before i had my last child. And since I'm calling the this the truth i will tell you that before i had her i was on antidepressants and anxiety medication. I went off all of it when i found out that i was pregnant. When I got home i was sooo sick and i called the doctor; he said it was just from such a long labor. God i wish i would have been wiser. I had a fever and it turned out that i had staph infection. I literally fell in my mom and dads door. This was with my 12 and 10 year old. Allot of this is going to be hard to share; The medication kept switching, so i would get on one it wouldn't work then go through with drawls, or i thought i was and then try another one. Please realize that this is what i remember. I was trying to take care of the baby, I was so sick. I remember sitting above my moms heater breast feeding the baby. I should have had her on formula but the doctors wanted me to keep trying to feed her. I was shaking and trying to get warm over that heater. Finally, I just didnt care anymore. I loved my kids so much and had always taken really good care of them but I just couldnt. I did have the sense to get to my moms. She started taking care of the kids. Thank God. I remember at night it felt like a dark cloud was just surrounding my body and a horrible sadness fell over me. Laying in my moms bed and listening to that clock ticking thousands of times. Crying uncontrollably for hours and hours. And people think your just feeling sorry for yourself when you say you want to die. I didnt really but you do feel like a burden. I always think of anxiety and the depression and i used to compare my brain to a ball full of marbles. You try to just get one marble; which would be a thought; and you cant grasp it. you are overloaded and so many things are going through yur mind that its hard to just talk about one thing. I still have that problem so dont get mad if i skip subjects once in a while. lol.