Here's the Skinny...

Okay, I think I have my stuff together enough to talk about what happened.

Saturday February 22nd at 5:10pm I got a frantic call from my friend J* (names changed to protect anyone who cares to be protected). He says he can't get ahold of his roommate, Joe, and asks if I can pop over to the house to check in on him. I say no problem, thinking it was no biggy and he was probably asleep on the couch or his phone was broken or something. I drove over, thinking it would be a quick trip.

J* was on the phone with me when I pulled up. Before I pounded on the door, he said "Mer, this could be really bad... Make sure you make your presence known as you go in the house... There are guns in the house." You'd think I would have hesitated or thought differently or whatever, but I just did the usual Meredith "Dude, no worries, it'll be fine!" And pounded on the door.

No answer.

Went to the back door and pounded.

No answer.

I got the spare key out and opened the back door, yelling for Joe (the roommate). No response, but I could hear the dog going ape shit further back in the house. I walked slowly, continuously calling for Joe. No response. I came around the corner.

And that's when I saw him. Joe was propped up comfortably. Almost casual looking... Except that half of his face was missing. He had killed himself with a shotgun and it was a pretty brutal scene. I was still on the phone with J* when I found him, and to hear the anguish in his voice as I told him his best friend was gone... It broke my heart.

In that moment, I realized that nothing would ever be the same. I walked back into the kitchen and started to make a list. I wrote down the address as I knew I wouldn't be able to remember it off the top of my head. I also wrote "911" at the top, as I knew I had to call them too. Thing is... I was so disoriented I wrote 919... But I quickly crossed it off and wrote it correctly. Police were called at 5:36pm.

The next several hours were a blur. The police had me wait in my car, asking me questions I didn't know the answers to. I had to wait the entire time as I agreed to take the animals out of the house (J* was on vacation, the animals couldn't be left in the house). So I stayed. The entire time. The Medical Examiner finally showed up and did their investigation. After Joe was removed, I called D* to tell her the horrific news... and to ask for her help. I knew I was just about maxed out on my emotional stability, and catching cats was going to be the end of me. I went back into the house to assess the damage... I had asked the ME to pick up as much of the brain matter off the floor as they could. They said they would, but I wanted to make sure. They did a decent job removing the chunks, but it isn't their job to clean. I just wanted to immediately start cleaning, but I just stood there and stared at where Joe had been. Marveled at the splatter pattern. I knew it was out of my capability (Blood born pathogens and all).

D* really helped me keep it together. She's pretty freaking amazing.

So now here we are in present day. I'm trying so hard not to let it bother me. I've been counselor to many people about the incident, but I've lost J*. He's hurting so much and I can feel it. I reached out to him and he warned me that he was going to lose interest in everything, including me. I literally sobbed and begged him not to cut me out... In a later conversation, he said that he was avoiding conversations and people that remind him of Joe. Unfortunately I am sort of standing right in the middle of that shit storm in his mind. I told him that I would stand as far back as he needed me to. He said he would let me know. He's moving to AZ soon and then he'll be gone forever. And all I'll have left of our friendship is the memory of seeing his best friend blown to smithereens... and knowing that seeing and speaking to me causes him pain.

It sucks.

SO. To my dearly beloved friends who keep tabs on me via this blog... Please do not take my standoffishness personally. You all know that I will give my life for the people I love... For my friends. I took a bullet that day, guys. I gave up a piece of me that I know I will never get back. I don't regret it. I'm glad it was me. I know we all say we would do anything for our friends.

I've proved that I would.

I'm just reassessing things over here a little. Figuring out what my boundaries are. I'll be back up for air soon...

I Dreamed A Dream...

I love this version. Haven't listened to it in a really long time. The meaning is so different now... living with a chronic illness that slowly takes away everything you love about life.

"I had a dream my life would be... So different from this hell I'm living..."

Its a high pain, low morale kind of day.





Then, on YouTube, while sifting through some of my favorite singers, I come across this gem:

 

Ok, first of all, Brian Stokes Mitchell is my favorite baritone (sorry Dad...) and this song really moved me to remember the bigger picture. Plus epic crescendo's always make my hair stand on end. In a good way.

 

 

Speaking of epic crescendo's, this one gets me every time too:

 



My favorite tenor of all time, Luciano Pavarotti. The final stance when he's singing guts out? He's saying "Vincero! Vincero! Vincero!" which in Italian sounds like "vini-cello." Translation?

I will be victorious.

 

 

 

 

I hear you universe... I hear you. Vincero!

Fusion It Is

June 27th I go back under the knife, hopefully for the last time for this body part. I can't believe my surgery is only 10 days away. I'm a little excited, but mostly terrified right now. I made the mistake of researching the surgery further and watched a video of an actual procedure.

This is going to hurt so bad initially... So bad...

I'm sitting here trying not to cry at the moment. I'm just feeling so overwhelmed, yet I feel like I can't say anything to anyone. I've hinted that I'm nervous to family and friends... but this is more than just nervous. This is it. This is the absolute end of my massage career. There is no turning back after this surgery. Granted I can't do massage NOW, but with my wrist fused, I have to look at alternatives to everything going forward.

Driving (won't be so bad, I drive that way now)
Eating (will be tricky. Try cutting your food with one hand immobile at the wrist...)
Typing (until my hand is fused AND I can pronate my hand again, I'll be typing one handed.)
Showering (I HATE bathing with a garbage bag on my arm... but it is what it is.)
Grooming (since my elbow will also be immobilized during the cast process, my hair will be an absolute mess. Which reminds me... I should think about dying it next week so I don't have horrible roots right away)

I'm nervous.

The Universe Has A Frying Pan...

Ever feel like the Universe has a frying pan? And just when you're losing your shit and acting crazy, you get that *PLANG!* up the side of your head? Sometimes the universe whispers sweetly in your ear, sometimes you get the frying pan.

I was cruising around on Facebook and was struck by this quote:

"However capable and skillful an individual may be, left alone, he or she will not survive. When we are sick or very young or very old, we must depend on the support of others. There is no significant division between us and other people, because our basic natures are the same. If we wish to ensure everyone’s peace and happiness we need to cultivate a healthy respect for the diversity of our peoples and cultures, founded on an understanding of this fundamental sameness of all human beings."

~ Dalai Lama ~

 

I have such a hard time with this concept. When I'm sick or hurt I just want to be alone. Asking for help is SO HARD.

**EDIT**
A friend had this posted on his gmail chat status. The Universe is definitely talking to me today...

 

One of THOSE Days

You know the ones... Where it feels like you can't do anything right and the world knows it? That you just can't quite get a handle on what exactly you're supposed to be doing at any given moment? I'm having one of those days today. And it's not because I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing - I know exactly what I should be doing. I even have a prioritized "to do" list!

I just don't want to. Any of it.

I just want to shrug off all my responsibilities and head back up north, waving my middle finger as I go. Not helping with ANYTHING, just dumping everything at everyone else's feet and saying "here, you deal with all this - I'm done for now. Oh, you don't know how to take care of this? Well guess what, I didn't either until you initially dumped it at MY feet and asked me to take care of it. Did I bitch and complain? NO. I made some phone calls, asked some people, and FIGURED SHIT OUT without whining and complaining the whole freaking time. You know why? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT ADULTS DO. No one is going to hand you things on a silver platter, that just isn't realistic. Sometimes you have to work hard and figure things out all on your own. Here, take all this and give it a try." (shove shove shove)

Yeah... It's one of those days. I should go outside and sit in the sun for a bit. Get my Vitamin D on and just soak it up.

Can you tell I hurt my wrist this morning? I did. Totally got bashed while trying to get a temper tantrum induced toddler dressed. It hurt. A lot. Got my wheels turning that I'm not sure how much of this I'm expected to actually take. I'm not feeling very strong right now. Quite the opposite. I've feeling exceptionally fragile and vulnerable. So I'm putting up my normal front when things are spiraling out of control... "Everything is just fine and I'm happy to just be alive!" It's a front... I'm losing control over here...

I want bacon... <3

Disappearing For A Bit...

So I've already been pretty quiet lately. Nothing overly different to say, I guess.

But tonight I am unplugging and disappearing into the woods for the weekend. I'm going to take my small dog with me for company, but that's it. No spouse, no kids, no friends... Just me and B. I'm taking my sketchbook and drawing supplies, stuff to make Ukrainian eggs, and another craft project for my 3-day training shirts.

My plan is to do some walking, take some pictures, create some art... And just be. No responsibilities. Just peace and quiet. It will be interesting. I'm sure I'll have something to say about it when I get back.

Be well, my friends. <3

A New Focus

I registered for the Komen 3-day walk in August. It might end up being physically impossible for me to do, but damnit I'm going to try. I have to do something... I've just felt so lifeless and empty lately. I need to do something for myself that reminds me I'm alive. Not only for myself, but also for the millions of women who have fought against breast cancer.

It may not have been the "smartest" thing for me to sign up to do, given my physical limitations and emotional vulnerability at the moment... but I did it. I need a goal. Something to work towards...

One step at a time...

A Hallow Shell

I downloaded a fun little horoscope app onto my phone, as I was curious what the stars had to say about things for me... So far it's been pretty on the money - saying that things are pretty tumultuous at the moment.

Todays said: You know where you are and you know where you want to be. That is the first step and the last step. All you have to do is fill in the middle and you're on your way!

Seems about right.

But there was something else about this app that caught my attention and made me go "hmm..."

The attributes of my sign are: Active, Demanding, Determined, Effective, and Ambitious.

There was a time when I was all of those things. I intimidated people with my determination and my demanding/commanding presence. Where did I go? When did I lose my "oomph?" I can feel little pieces of the old me trying desperately to break free. Pushing to the surface. Trying to catch a breath of air to bolster itself to finally break out of the hallow shell of whom I've become.

I want to get back to me. I want to be the intelligent, vibrant woman I once was. Now, I understand that I will never be completely the same. I know that my body is different now, on so many levels, that my physical self will never get back to the way that it was. I'm pretty ok with that. I've never been 100% comfortable in my own skin anyways, so this is nothing new. But lately I haven't been comfortable in my own head either. It's kind of a shit storm in there...

You know where you are. Yep. I know exactly where I am. A broken, faded, reflection of who I once was.

You know where you want to be. I want to resurface - to breathe - to rekindle the love affair with myself. To embrace my Active, Demanding, Determined, Effective and Ambitious self.

All you have to do is fill in the middle and you're on your way! Of course they make this part sound so easy... so whimsical, haha. Falling in love with me again means admitting I've falling out of love. With myself, with others... with life. I had forgotten what passion felt like. I had forgotten what inspiration feels like as it tingles its way through you, guiding you, proding you, encouraging you onward.

This week someone said to me "You are wise beyond your years. I almost feel dumb around you. You don't make me feel that way.. but you are just a smart girl." It was the nicest compliment I have gotten in a very long time... and it kinda felt like the old me was making an appearance again.

Hiding Doesn't Help...

Therapy Round 2 this past Monday. The session itself was pretty mild, the conversations after were a bit more indepth.

Then the 24 hours lag it takes hubby to process set in and it's been a whirl-wind since, to say the least. He's panicing, scrambling, smothering me... He doesn't understand that by doing that he is pushing me further away.

And I've been hurting. My whole body just hurts... and I'm not sure how to tell him I can't take anymore. I am having a really hard time hurting as much on the inside as I do on the outside. It's getting to be overwhelming. I can't make the physical stop or go away... I'm stuck with that for now. But I just want a break from the emotional hurt and pain too. I just want a little time away for myself to just breathe a little, regroup, find my footing again...

But even if I ask for it, I won't get it. I'll have to demand it, take it regardless of hurt feelings and tears, and power through.

This sucks.

And now he's acting like everything is fine. Hiding in plain sight...

Music Sets Free the Soul

I've been really listening to lyrics lately... looking for deeper meaning... being able to transport myself to a different time or place by simply letting go into the music and words.

Several songs move me to tears, but a particular song is stuck in my brain lately.

I Will Wait - Mumford and Sons

This song instantly takes me out of my body into a meadow, warming my skin with the sun, fingertips brushing along the tall grass, the scent sweet and fresh. I can't help but close my eyes, tip my chin towards the warmth and spread my arms wide - utter submission of myself to the sensation. As the crescendo builds, I feel the clouds roll in, opening up, pouring down on me. I kneel, giving in...


            So I'll be bold
            As well as strong
            And use my head alongside my heart
            So tame my flesh
            And fix my eyes
            That tethered mind free from the lies

            But I'll kneel down
            Wait for now
            I'll kneel down
            Know my ground

            Raise my hands
            Paint my spirit gold
            And bow my head
            Keep my heart slow

Feeling a Little Lost

Depression has not been my friend lately. Yesterday I spent 80% of the day in bed. Not moving, just sleeping or crying or just laying there, staring off into space.

It was a bad pain day, both physically and emotionally.

My daughter was inquiring if the dogs are going to die. Hubby handled it pretty well, telling her that yes, someday they will... That dogs just don't live as long as people do. She cried. I wasnt even there, and it completely triggered a shut down for me... I'm not going to live as long either. How am I supposed to explain to my children, my babies, that I'm not likely to see them have children of their own? I know anyone can go at anytime... I know that no one knows how long they have. But I'm also tired of living in limbo. I'm not "happy" and haven't been for a long time.

We start couples therapy next week. I'm excited and soooooooooooo nervous. Tools for coping...

Taking a Step Back

My last couple posts have seemed pretty bleak, which is appropriate, as I have been feeling that way lately. I have had more going on then just my body falling apart. My family life is a little shakey right now too. I've been trying to vocalize my needs, and I am simply not being heard. Or I'm being heard, and then deliberately ignored - which in my opinion is so much worse. I mentioned couples therapy to the hubby and he was confused. "Why would we need that?"  Oh I don't know, so that you hear and maybe acknowledge what I say? So that we can BOTH be armed with tools for coping with the "new normal?" So that we can figure out a game plan for moving forward?

In response to me leaving and spending the night at my parents the other night (again, I was not being heard or deliberately ignored) he booked a long weekend where we spent our honeymoon... A thoughtful gesture, only we are also bringing the kids, and quite frankly we don't have the money to GO on vacation right now. So not only will it not be relaxing, as I'll still have to be Mommy and watch my kids like a hawk at a water park (they can't swim yet, so my anxiety will be through the roof - plus my instability in the water is pretty bad - all my braces have to come off) but then I'll have to worry about how this is going to effect our finances for the next couple months too.

His mother brought up that she heard we were going on vacation, and that she was excited about it. I told her I wasn't so sure about it, and she looked shocked. She rattled off the list of all the fun things there are to do and I just clinched my teeth and said "You're absolutely right, Hubby and the kids are going to have a great time." She sighed heavily and said "You know Mer, sometimes you just have to go along for the ride." I got so angry, I practically shouted "No, sometimes I have to be the only fucking fiscally responsible adult in the house and it is utterly exhausting. If we can't afford to go to Disney in the spring with the rest of you guys, we can't afford to go on a long vacation anywhere else either! Maybe I can schedule to have our heat and electricity shut off while we're out of town, since they are about to do it anyways..." She just looked at me like I had slapped her (well, I verbally did I guess) and my sister-in-law chimed in that it was time for a topic change as the tension in the room had gone through the roof. I said I was sorry and just looked at the ground.

I am ALWAYS the bad guy.

My father-in-law quietly said after "you know, I agree with you." It was a little validating to have someone on my side, but it was also so uncomfortable being there after my little outburst. I left shortly after.

Running away on a mini vacation is not going to make "this" go away, nor is it going to make it any easier for me. And undoubtedly, Hubby will set some deadline that the house has to be "completely clean" before we go anywhere, adding additional stress to what is supposed to be a fun thing. But since I'm the one saying this is a bad idea, or that we should think about rescheduling or something, I'M THE BAD GUY.

I'm not the bad guy, I'm the adult in this situation. In every situation.

I really need to take a huge step back from my life and really take a hard look at what is adding ridiculous stress to my life. If it's something I can change, I'll change it. If it's something that is unwilling to compromise or listen, maybe its time to let it go. Something has got to give, and I'm just tired of feeling like the only one who is bending/breaking.

Asking For Help

I've never been very good at asking for help. Ever. It's just not something I'm comfortable with - which I know is just one of those ridiculous mental flaws that I have.

But now that I literally am having a hard time doing what used to be normal everyday activities, I'm finding that I can't do things alone. As much as I think I should be able to...

So today I am single parent as hubby is off in California for the weekend being a good sport. Long story - not worth explaining. It just so happens that I have just about zero food in the house and need to head to the grocery store. With both kids in tow. AND I'm having a wicked pain day today after washing ALL the dishes yesterday by myself. So I asked a buddy yesterday if he could help today. Yeah, sure, no problem. Well turns out today that he is spending the day with the new girlfriend, so he won't be available to help until after 5pm. I was hoping to be starting dinner by then... So I told him no worries, I'll ask around.

Asked newest buddy and she is repainting a room in her house today, so she won't be available. Wanted to ask super bestie, but she just got home from a work trip herself and it was her first time away from her little baby. I don't want to intrude and bug her - especially because I think she might be at work today anyways.

Now I know beggers can't be choosers, so if I want someone to help me, I really need to be flexible to their schedules. Only... it's not just me - I have my little peoples schedules to tap dance around too.

I just hate feeling rejected when I already feel low. I know it's not intentional, but yeah... This is why I don't ask for help. The rare times I do ask I try to ask in advance, then when the person I was counting on bails, I'm screwed trying to find a replacement last minute. And then I end up having to take care of shit by myself anyways. So why bother asking in the first place?

Maybe I'll call my dad. See if he can at least meet me at the house after I get home to help bring the groceries in. Or my brother...

(sigh)