http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/ Online Support Groups for Addicts, Alcoholics and their Family, Friends and Loved Ones. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:24:35 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/ http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/2655-death-sorrow.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:33:13 GMT My brother was sober for 8 glorious months. Then he got in touch with some old 'friends' and started to drink again. His pain and sorrow ended today. He died at 53 of liver failure. I love him and miss him, but pray that he has finally found peace. My prayers go out to all who battle this monster called addiction. ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/2655-death-sorrow.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/1239-life-gets-better.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 04:23:06 GMT I've been working for a couple of months with sane people! What a change for me.
My brother showed me his 6 month sober coin last weekend. I'm so proud of him. He is cognizant and intelligent. He made it through all of this with obvious grace of God. He's not working yet, but he is going to AA and Micah and doing very well. His objectives are realistic and I hope within the year he'll be well on his way to lasting sobriety. It's wonderful having my brother back. ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/1239-life-gets-better.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/670-good-day.html Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:44:27 GMT I had a conversation with Bro today. No repeating stories. Things made sense. He told me about his councilor, his AA meetings, his Micah meetings, joked about being an addict and an alcoholic,... I had a conversation with Bro today. No repeating stories. Things made sense. He told me about his councilor, his AA meetings, his Micah meetings, joked about being an addict and an alcoholic, humbly shared getting his 60 day pin, told me about his transportation to his meetings, and told me how he now understood this was going to be a life-long struggle. Very nice to hear. Relieved my fears immensely! He's working to get his license back so he can begin to look for work again to rebuild his life. There was no pussyfooting around facts, no manipulation, no bragging, and lots of humility.

(I have an interview for a new job tomorrow too!)
:beachball ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/670-good-day.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/444-good-bad-again.html Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:40:20 GMT Bro has completed one week in treatment. It's sure a start. I hope to be able to speak to him tomorrow and give encouragement.
Meanwhile I lost my job. I was full time and replaced with two part timers-neither making as much as me. Both people I know. They are frustrated because the owner keeps telling them I was so much better than them and they are puzzling why I'm gone in that case. I think this is a blessing though. The owner is SO HARD to deal with. She cannot be happy. It is beyond her. Hopefully I'll find another job quickly. I've had three offers in the last week. Making too little or not enough hours. (My husband lost a part-time job at the same place at the same time) We just bought a new house in Oct 07. I hang on to the faith that something better will come along, and that bro will complete treatment and have a life again.
:praying ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/444-good-bad-again.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/350-getting-closer.html Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:04:52 GMT Well, bro goes in Wednesday. He told them originally that same old story of being sober for 6 months (it's always that and/or someone slipped something into his drink) and they thought he could be outpatient. When I called to get him in faster after he ended up in the hospital again a couple of weeks ago, apparently they made a change because they told him he would be in-patient for two weeks. They realize now he'll have to go through detox AGAIN. I hear this gets harder on the body each time? At first I was a little angry they'd think he could be helped in two weeks time, but then I realized, this is easier to take one day at a time (duh!). I'm sure a couple of weeks out of life is much easier to face than a couple of months.
Meanwhile I wonder if his brain is so far gone that he may never see the light. Scary, scary.
Guess I just have to 'let go, and let God'. ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/350-getting-closer.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/241-treatment-i-hope.html Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:04:44 GMT Without the remaining crutch, bro has decided to go to treatment, if for nothing else a warm bed and 3 meals a day. They won't take him though until Feb 22 (confirmed by a third party) unless they get a cancellation sooner. I pray he'll do it and really get something from it. I see a lot of inspiration here.:atv ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/241-treatment-i-hope.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/179-straight-shooting.html Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:51:10 GMT Went to see Bro in the hospital. He's now fully conscious, not shaking. I haven't seen that since last time he was in the hospital. He was telling the nurse as we arrived that he wasn't an alcoholic, but some kids put alcohol in his drink in a nearby town. (he wasn't there and it didn't happen)
We let the nurse leave then we told him we love him, we know he's an alcoholic, that detox took 9 days for him, that he almost died, that Dad is too old to deal with this stuff, we love him despite all that, BUT, he has to go to treatment and get better or he probably won't live another year. Asked him if he knew he had a stroke? Did you know your liver is in bad shape? Told him it looked like he had a reprieve and God has a purpose, but he had to get help to fulfill that. All of this in a very gentle voice. Get help or we're done.
On the way home I called Dad and told him what we said and that if Dad decided to 'help' him by letting him stay at his house and paying his bills with no treatment it was his decision, but we wouldn't be around for that. We are done.
Just hope I'm doing the right thing. Feels right sometimes, but feels selfish too. ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/179-straight-shooting.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/171-ok-now-what-help.html Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:07:10 GMT Bro is doing quite well. The doctor says he is finally doing so much better because for 9 days he was still having DTs. He already told the doctor today that he's not an alcoholic and only drinks twice a month. The hospital social worker and a psych doctor are supposed to help, but..........do I need an intervention specialist? Do social workers do that? Do we just walk away if he won't commit to a program? He almost died this time, but I think he will next time. Do I merely shoot straight with him with no pretense or is there something more I should do to head him toward treatment. I will not move him into my house or give him money. Dad will have to make that decision for himself. Your experiences or comments please. ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/171-ok-now-what-help.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/166-good-news-bad-news.html Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:59:41 GMT Bro is off the ventilator today, straight to oxygen. We did learn through the DTs he experienced a stroke. He was alert today and able to speak. Now the hard work begins. Dad thinks all his friends... Bro is off the ventilator today, straight to oxygen. We did learn through the DTs he experienced a stroke. He was alert today and able to speak. Now the hard work begins. Dad thinks all his friends will rally around him; his friends who drank and used with him. I know all those friends will have to go. I took pictures of the hard time of detox because I know he won't remember. I just hope he chooses to make it this time. I don't know if his body will handle detox again and I don't think Dad will have the wisdom to call an ambulance in time next time.
There will be a social worker available to help get him to treatment. I hope these people know the ins and outs and how to help him. :candle: ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/166-good-news-bad-news.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/160-going.html Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:49:05 GMT Still can't get bro off the ventilator. They're not sure why at this point. This is going on day eight.
I don't know if it will help anyone else, but I SO wish I could help him get over all this. I do love him, but have had to keep some distance not to be as sick as he is right along with him. They say he's still dealing with some withdrawals and say that it's unusual to go on this long. I have no idea. I just hope if there is anything going along with this, they catch it and help him, and I hope he finds recovery like so many I see on this sight. It is encouraging to know others have made it and continue to make it every day.
We lost our mother June of 2006 and I sometimes wonder if he's just sort of giving up. ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/160-going.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/149-another-day.html Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:12:10 GMT Feeling a little discouraged today. Bro is on day 6 of being on a respirator. They tried to move him to the C-pap yesterday and today and failed. I'm going to take pictures of him to let him see what he went through if he recovers, to help him see he has to change. This may be his last chance and then again last time may have been. I think I have Dad convinced to quit lying about, for and to him about the alcoholism, and face this for what it is-a horrible, deadly disease that only one person can put an end too. Thank you for the prayers offered. I'm having reply issues, but I want you to know I appreciate the prayers. ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/149-another-day.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/125-still-icu.html Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:18:45 GMT Doing a little better today. So frustrated that Dad thinks this is all about him and not the man fighting for his life. Dad would rather people feel sorry for him and admire him when he's the one that was angry we called an ambulance to save his son. He was willing to let his son die rather than risk someone knowing his son was an alcoholic or a 'crazy bum'. The whole co-dependence thing, the 'look what a hero I am' escapes me. Is he really in denial or just so self-serving? He wants everyone to see him at the hospital, but doesn't want his son to seek treatment 'with weirdos'. The son is a human with a problem! Quit protecting him from help!

Has anyone else seen the vomit aspiration or really high potassium with all this? ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/125-still-icu.html http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/121-icu.html Sat, 12 Jan 2008 05:59:50 GMT My brother is in ICU tonight. Last night my dad called and said he had been 'asleep' in a chair since 10am. He called at 8pm. He said he couldn't wake him up. My AB recently became homeless and Dad thought he could live with him and help him since he's 80 and has a bad hip. I tried to explain that AB is an alcoholic and detox would require medical help. I sent him articles and explained the last 3 times AB was in jail for child support and DUI he went into withdrawals. Dad saw the alcohol in the house after the treatment facility and can still talk himself into denial. Dad wouldn't call the ambulance last night because it might cost money even though he believed AB to be dying. He would have died had I not called 911 and we're not sure he'll make it through the night. Please say prayers for us as we hope to get him toward recovery this time. Dad is the last enabler left and maybe, maybe, this time he'll wake up.:skillet ]]> someonessister http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/blogs/someonessister/121-icu.html