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HELP, I DON'T UNDERSTAND A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN MY LIFE
Doxielover10 posted:
Two years ago we received the dreaded call in the middle of the night. I was awake as usual, I'm a total insomniac. It was my brother telling me to get on a plane, my Dad was ill. Fortunately my husband knew the FBI guys at the airport and we were on the plane in 5 minutes.
We rented a car on arrival and went directly to the hospital and I was the only person there. As I looked around I started to feel hysteria, he was hooked to a ventilator and swaddled like a mummy. My Dad was dying and we were saying goodbye. I went to him and could tell he recognized me, he grabbed my hand and kept holding it tighter and tighter. I leaned over and kissed him .
As I understood what was happening, my Dad's most hated thing was going to the doctor. The day before he had 3 doctors appointments that took all day. When he got home he said he was going for a nap. My Mom says he was still sleeping at 11:00 PM when she turned in.
We have no idea what happened and we never will. We think he got up to go to the bathroom and slipped or tripped and fell on the metal bar on the bottom of the shower landing on the bridge of his nose and fracturing his skull. Somehow he tried to get up or he was slipping in all the blood, he smashed the back of his head on the marble jacuzzi tub and fractured his skull again. When he was brought to the hospital the neurologist said there was absolutely no hope he could survive, his skull was crushed like an eggshell.
There is not anyone on the planet that was Daddy's girl like I was. We did everything together. Even after I left home he would come wherever I was to have lunch or dinner.. He was a hugely successful, powerful man and he did it all himself. He was a huge adventurer, he forged his mother's signature and went to war when he was 16, he went on safari, he did everything and took me along for the ride sometimes..
I stood next to his bed in either shock or disbelief that this spectacular man was going to leave me for such a stupid thing., the few times I ever thought of him crossing over it would be when he was 99 on some deep sea fishing excursion that he loved.
After he passed I wrote and delivered the eulogy which I was told was something my Dad would have loved. At the time I was highly medicated for my bipolar problem, I was taking 14 pills at a cost of $40,000 a year, I was taking 1200 mgs of seroquel.
I have no idea what is happening , this is the first time I have told anyone about what happened to my Dad. I did not comprehend any of it. This is the first time I am telling this story to ANYONE. I did not understand why I felt like the deer caught in the headlights. Was I so medicated I could feel nothing. All I understood was that I did not have any emotions. My mother said I was completely catatonic.
My Dad called me every day of my life no matter where he was, after I got home I just kept looking at the phone. I cannot tell you how many times I picked up the phone to call him with some story which he loved.
Ever since his death I cannot and have not spoken about him or done absolutely anything that makes me go there.
The other day I saw all the father's day cards and gifts and I felt like someone had shot a crossbow arrow into me. I was shaking like a leaf
and for the first time since his death I actually thought of him.
I am absolutely paralyzed , what happened to me ? Did I go to another planet for two years ? I have not felt any of the things you experience with grief.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I BLOCKED OUT THE PICTURES OF THE BATHROOM, THERE WAS BLOOD IN EVERY INCH OF A VERY LARGE BATHROOM. DID HE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, DID HE REALIZE HIS LIFE WAS OVER. DID HE UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED ?
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME ?
ALLISON
We rented a car on arrival and went directly to the hospital and I was the only person there. As I looked around I started to feel hysteria, he was hooked to a ventilator and swaddled like a mummy. My Dad was dying and we were saying goodbye. I went to him and could tell he recognized me, he grabbed my hand and kept holding it tighter and tighter. I leaned over and kissed him .
As I understood what was happening, my Dad's most hated thing was going to the doctor. The day before he had 3 doctors appointments that took all day. When he got home he said he was going for a nap. My Mom says he was still sleeping at 11:00 PM when she turned in.
We have no idea what happened and we never will. We think he got up to go to the bathroom and slipped or tripped and fell on the metal bar on the bottom of the shower landing on the bridge of his nose and fracturing his skull. Somehow he tried to get up or he was slipping in all the blood, he smashed the back of his head on the marble jacuzzi tub and fractured his skull again. When he was brought to the hospital the neurologist said there was absolutely no hope he could survive, his skull was crushed like an eggshell.
There is not anyone on the planet that was Daddy's girl like I was. We did everything together. Even after I left home he would come wherever I was to have lunch or dinner.. He was a hugely successful, powerful man and he did it all himself. He was a huge adventurer, he forged his mother's signature and went to war when he was 16, he went on safari, he did everything and took me along for the ride sometimes..
I stood next to his bed in either shock or disbelief that this spectacular man was going to leave me for such a stupid thing., the few times I ever thought of him crossing over it would be when he was 99 on some deep sea fishing excursion that he loved.
After he passed I wrote and delivered the eulogy which I was told was something my Dad would have loved. At the time I was highly medicated for my bipolar problem, I was taking 14 pills at a cost of $40,000 a year, I was taking 1200 mgs of seroquel.
I have no idea what is happening , this is the first time I have told anyone about what happened to my Dad. I did not comprehend any of it. This is the first time I am telling this story to ANYONE. I did not understand why I felt like the deer caught in the headlights. Was I so medicated I could feel nothing. All I understood was that I did not have any emotions. My mother said I was completely catatonic.
My Dad called me every day of my life no matter where he was, after I got home I just kept looking at the phone. I cannot tell you how many times I picked up the phone to call him with some story which he loved.
Ever since his death I cannot and have not spoken about him or done absolutely anything that makes me go there.
The other day I saw all the father's day cards and gifts and I felt like someone had shot a crossbow arrow into me. I was shaking like a leaf
and for the first time since his death I actually thought of him.
I am absolutely paralyzed , what happened to me ? Did I go to another planet for two years ? I have not felt any of the things you experience with grief.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I BLOCKED OUT THE PICTURES OF THE BATHROOM, THERE WAS BLOOD IN EVERY INCH OF A VERY LARGE BATHROOM. DID HE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, DID HE REALIZE HIS LIFE WAS OVER. DID HE UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED ?
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME ?
ALLISON
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:HELP, I DON'T UNDERSTAND A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN MY LIFETwo years ago we received the dreaded call in the middle of the night. I was awake as usual, I'm a total insomniac. It was my brother telling me to get on a plane, my Dad was ill. Fortunately my husband knew the FBI guys at the airport and we were on the plane in 5 minutes.<br /><br />We rented a car on arrival and went directly to the hospital and I was the only person there. As I looked around I started to feel hysteria, he was hooked to a ventilator and swaddled like a mummy. My Dad was dying and we were saying goodbye. I went to him and could tell he recognized me, he grabbed my hand and kept holding it tighter and tighter. I leaned over and kissed him .<br /><br />As I understood what was happening, my Dad's most hated thing was going to the doctor. The day before he had 3 doctors appointments that took all day. When he got home he said he was going for a nap. My Mom says he was still sleeping at 11:00 PM when she turned in.<br /><br />We have no idea what happened and we never will. We think he got up to go to the bathroom and slipped or tripped and fell on the metal bar on the bottom of the shower landing on the bridge of his nose and fracturing his skull. Somehow he tried to get up or he was slipping in all the blood, he smashed the back of his head on the marble jacuzzi tub and fractured his skull again. When he was brought to the hospital the neurologist said there was absolutely no hope he could survive, his skull was crushed like an eggshell.<br /><br />There is not anyone on the planet that was Daddy's girl like I was. We did everything together. Even after I left home he would come wherever I was to have lunch or dinner.. He was a hugely successful, powerful man and he did it all himself. He was a huge adventurer, he forged his mother's signature and went to war when he was 16, he went on safari, he did everything and took me along for the ride sometimes.. <br /><br />I stood next to his bed in either shock or disbelief that this spectacular man was going to leave me for such a stupid thing., the few times I ever thought of him crossing over it would be when he was 99 on some deep sea fishing excursion that he loved.<br /><br />After he passed I wrote and delivered the eulogy which I was told was something my Dad would have loved. At the time I was highly medicated for my bipolar problem, I was taking 14 pills at a cost of $40,000 a year, I was taking 1200 mgs of seroquel.<br /><br />I have no idea what is happening , this is the first time I have told anyone about what happened to my Dad. I did not comprehend any of it. This is the first time I am telling this story to ANYONE. I did not understand why I felt like the deer caught in the headlights. Was I so medicated I could feel nothing. All I understood was that I did not have any emotions. My mother said I was completely catatonic.<br /><br />My Dad called me every day of my life no matter where he was, after I got home I just kept looking at the phone. I cannot tell you how many times I picked up the phone to call him with some story which he loved.<br /><br />Ever since his death I cannot and have not spoken about him or done absolutely anything that makes me go there.<br /><br />The other day I saw all the father's day cards and gifts and I felt like someone had shot a crossbow arrow into me. I was shaking like a leaf<br />and for the first time since his death I actually thought of him. <br /><br />I am absolutely paralyzed , what happened to me ? Did I go to another planet for two years ? I have not felt any of the things you experience with grief. <br /><br />I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I BLOCKED OUT THE PICTURES OF THE BATHROOM, THERE WAS BLOOD IN EVERY INCH OF A VERY LARGE BATHROOM. DID HE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, DID HE REALIZE HIS LIFE WAS OVER. DID HE UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED ? <br /><br />WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME ?<br /><br />ALLISON
Caprice_WebMD_Staff responded:
Hi Allison,
I am not an expert but don't think your experience is unusual, when you're so close to someone and when the death is so very sudden.
It sounds like you're coming out of a two-year fog, something I felt to a lesser extent. I do remember not really feeling any sense of normalcy until about two years after my nearest loved one died and even after that it took a while.
And Father's Day coming up is often triggering for many because of loss.
Be patient with yourself and with the process of grieving. And if you feel you need help getting through this, please don't hesitate to see a grief counselor. They really can help.
I am so sorry for your loss and for its suddenness. Your father sounds like an amazing man and father. What a wonderful example he set for you.
Be gentle with yourself and keep talking here if it helps at all.
I am not an expert but don't think your experience is unusual, when you're so close to someone and when the death is so very sudden.
It sounds like you're coming out of a two-year fog, something I felt to a lesser extent. I do remember not really feeling any sense of normalcy until about two years after my nearest loved one died and even after that it took a while.
And Father's Day coming up is often triggering for many because of loss.
Be patient with yourself and with the process of grieving. And if you feel you need help getting through this, please don't hesitate to see a grief counselor. They really can help.
I am so sorry for your loss and for its suddenness. Your father sounds like an amazing man and father. What a wonderful example he set for you.
Be gentle with yourself and keep talking here if it helps at all.
Report This| Share this:HELP, I DON'T UNDERSTAND A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN MY LIFEHi Allison,<br /><br />I am not an expert but don't think your experience is unusual, when you're so close to someone and when the death is so very sudden. <br /><br />It sounds like you're coming out of a two-year fog, something I felt to a lesser extent. I do remember not really feeling any sense of normalcy until about two years after my nearest loved one died and even after that it took a while.<br /><br />And Father's Day coming up is often triggering for many because of loss.<br /><br />Be patient with yourself and with the process of grieving. And if you feel you need help getting through this, please don't hesitate to see a grief counselor. They really can help.<br /><br />I am so sorry for your loss and for its suddenness. Your father sounds like an amazing man and father. What a wonderful example he set for you.<br /><br />Be gentle with yourself and keep talking here if it helps at all.
Doxielover10 replied to Caprice_WebMD_Staff's response:
Hi Caprice,
Thank you so much for responding. I think you are right, two years ago I was an emotional wreck, I was so medicated I honestly don't remember much.
When they took me off all the meds after the renal failure a few months ago, I swear I felt I had woken from a deep coma. I had no memory of people, buildings in my town, conversations etc.
I think now that I'm allowing myself to think about my Dad I am better, it will be awhile.
Allison.
Thank you so much for responding. I think you are right, two years ago I was an emotional wreck, I was so medicated I honestly don't remember much.
When they took me off all the meds after the renal failure a few months ago, I swear I felt I had woken from a deep coma. I had no memory of people, buildings in my town, conversations etc.
I think now that I'm allowing myself to think about my Dad I am better, it will be awhile.
Allison.
Report This| Share this:HELP, I DON'T UNDERSTAND A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN MY LIFEHi Caprice,<br /><br />Thank you so much for responding. I think you are right, two years ago I was an emotional wreck, I was so medicated I honestly don't remember much.<br /><br />When they took me off all the meds after the renal failure a few months ago, I swear I felt I had woken from a deep coma. I had no memory of people, buildings in my town, conversations etc.<br /><br />I think now that I'm allowing myself to think about my Dad I am better, it will be awhile.<br /><br />Allison.
Caprice_WebMD_Staff replied to Doxielover10's response:
Keep us updated on how it goes for you. It does sound like all the meds really had an enormous impact on you and I'm glad you're now on the road to healing - in many ways. 
Report This| Share this:HELP, I DON'T UNDERSTAND A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN MY LIFEKeep us updated on how it goes for you. It does sound like all the meds really had an enormous impact on you and I'm glad you're now on the road to healing - in many ways. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
Doxielover10 replied to Caprice_WebMD_Staff's response:
Dear Caprice,
You are exactly correct, I feel like I've been nowhere. I don't know what to say but I have absolutely no idea who wrote the letter but it was not me.or I do not remember. Unfortunately, I take a lot of meds and have trouble with memory.
I also worry that my very explicit, honest posts about my experiences might put people off.
I've spoken before regarding the surgery, infections, hospitals
DOA, renal failure. I finally had a total breakdown, I was visibly shaking so badly, I could not speak. Everyone thought I had a stroke. I could go nowhere so I was home alone. I have not left my home in month's except for docs. I went to see my internist yesterday, In my weakened condition he says I have to stay home.
It felt so strange being outside, I begged my husband to let
me go to Sally's. He finally said OK I was looking for what I wanted, and my back locked, my legs gave way and I could feel this huge display was coming down on me.. I finally got to the door with my back still locked. My husband came running and I was just sobbing , my legs were so weak he carried me to the car..
I crawled into bed and cried for hours.My God what am I going to do ?
You are exactly correct, I feel like I've been nowhere. I don't know what to say but I have absolutely no idea who wrote the letter but it was not me.or I do not remember. Unfortunately, I take a lot of meds and have trouble with memory.
I also worry that my very explicit, honest posts about my experiences might put people off.
I've spoken before regarding the surgery, infections, hospitals
DOA, renal failure. I finally had a total breakdown, I was visibly shaking so badly, I could not speak. Everyone thought I had a stroke. I could go nowhere so I was home alone. I have not left my home in month's except for docs. I went to see my internist yesterday, In my weakened condition he says I have to stay home.
It felt so strange being outside, I begged my husband to let
me go to Sally's. He finally said OK I was looking for what I wanted, and my back locked, my legs gave way and I could feel this huge display was coming down on me.. I finally got to the door with my back still locked. My husband came running and I was just sobbing , my legs were so weak he carried me to the car..
I crawled into bed and cried for hours.My God what am I going to do ?
Report This| Share this:HELP, I DON'T UNDERSTAND A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN MY LIFEDear Caprice,<br /><br />You are exactly correct, I feel like I've been nowhere. I don't know what to say but I have absolutely no idea who wrote the letter but it was not me.or I do not remember. Unfortunately, I take a lot of meds and have trouble with memory. <br /><br />I also worry that my very explicit, honest posts about my experiences might put people off.<br /><br />I've spoken before regarding the surgery, infections, hospitals<br />DOA, renal failure. I finally had a total breakdown, I was visibly shaking so badly, I could not speak. Everyone thought I had a stroke. I could go nowhere so I was home alone. I have not left my home in month's except for docs. I went to see my internist yesterday, In my weakened condition he says I have to stay home. <br /><br />It felt so strange being outside, I begged my husband to let<br />me go to Sally's. He finally said OK I was looking for what I wanted, and my back locked, my legs gave way and I could feel this huge display was coming down on me.. I finally got to the door with my back still locked. My husband came running and I was just sobbing , my legs were so weak he carried me to the car..<br /><br />I crawled into bed and cried for hours.My God what am I going to do ?
Caprice_WebMD_Staff replied to Doxielover10's response:
I'm so sorry that your health continues to be a challenge for you.
What you do is continue to look after yourself and consider therapy. Therapy can't fix the health issues, but can help you cope with the huge emotional fallout involved.
And gather as much support around you as possible. Pace yourself when going out and keep someone with you at all times, and take it little by little.
I know this is all easier said than done. I've had to really learn how to pace myself as well and change how I interact with others (and shop). I take what's good and let go of the rest.
I also encourage you to focus on your priorities. Perhaps that tedious chore isn't worth your time and energy when you have so little to spare, but a visit with an understanding friend may be.
What you do is continue to look after yourself and consider therapy. Therapy can't fix the health issues, but can help you cope with the huge emotional fallout involved.
And gather as much support around you as possible. Pace yourself when going out and keep someone with you at all times, and take it little by little.
I know this is all easier said than done. I've had to really learn how to pace myself as well and change how I interact with others (and shop). I take what's good and let go of the rest.
I also encourage you to focus on your priorities. Perhaps that tedious chore isn't worth your time and energy when you have so little to spare, but a visit with an understanding friend may be.
Report This| Share this:HELP, I DON'T UNDERSTAND A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN MY LIFEI'm so sorry that your health continues to be a challenge for you.<br /><br />What you do is continue to look after yourself and consider therapy. Therapy can't fix the health issues, but can help you cope with the huge emotional fallout involved.<br /><br />And gather as much support around you as possible. Pace yourself when going out and keep someone with you at all times, and take it little by little.<br /><br />I know this is all easier said than done. I've had to really learn how to pace myself as well and change how I interact with others (and shop). I take what's good and let go of the rest.<br /><br />I also encourage you to focus on your priorities. Perhaps that tedious chore isn't worth your time and energy when you have so little to spare, but a visit with an understanding friend may be.
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