flamingredhair

I caved in to lots of family stress on Thanksgiving.

My mom's dementia has progressed to the point where holidays stress her out too much. We took dinner to her at the assistaed living center and she didn't last an hour. She wouldn't eat. Got throroughly pissed off at my sister and I. That was tough. Looks like holidays are finished.

On my husband's side of the family his brother's mentally ill wife had him (the brother and her husband) taken to jail for assault. She has been calling our house on the average of ten times a day since wanting us to deliver messages to him. At one point she called to say she'd turned the gas on, planning to off herself.

I'm okay now. Not beating myself up. Back on the horse. Screening phone calls. Coming here.

harleyq

You are trying, and that's great!

flamingredhair

I'm not giving up! Just a bump in the road.

I should have been screening the phone calls since they began. Even though my sister-in-law is severely mentally unbalanced I still care about what happens to her. But I had to make the decision that it's difficult enough taking care of ME right now.

Tigger41

Hi frh and keep coming back. Rough day it sounds like. Come here if you ever need support. I'm routing for you

Dee74

I'm sorry your Thanksgiving was rough.
I've had a few of those too - different situations but just as rough.

Like you say - you need to remember to take care of you in all of this - and ultimately that includes finding better, more life affirming ways to deal with problem situations.

I'm glad you're back with us

D

Tigger41

FRH - I think we need to learn some coping techniques....

Okay guys - where can we find coping techniques until I can get my copy of "Recovery by choice"

I hear of following the path. Like before you pick up the drink following it down where it's going to end up (drunk on the couch, disappointed in myself with a headache the next morning"

What's another one?

flamingredhair

I could benefit from some coping techniques.

My sister-in-law has called three times today wanting us to pass messages along to my husband's brother. I haven't picked up, but she's leaving fragmented messages. Everytime the phone rings I cringe.

Tigger41

I had that with my Brother-in-law last week during my partner's Father's funeral. We paid for everything but didn't do everything he wanted so he started leaving the nastiest texts and calling. We turned off the ringers and blocked his number. If you have to turn off the ringer on your phone and go put on a movie.

Sorry you're having to live through this - but no more drinking ok?? You can do this. You being sober is SOOOO much more important then the poop that they're doing right now. (and yes - I did use the word poop).

Dee74

maybe leave the phone for today? It sounds like there's nothing important, only drama.

D

flamingredhair

I'm turning the phone off. If anyone really needs me they can call me cell. Thankfully, my sister-in-law doesn't have that number.

And thanks for the chuckle, Tigger. "Poop." :-)