He came home this morning seething and shaking. "Don't touch me and don't talk to me." And he meant it.
All I can do is give him time and space.
I'm dying inside.
I edit often to fix stuff ☺️
Profoundly grateful Every. Single. Day. that I am blessed with an H with strength, integrity, and compassion, and that he decided to try.
Hang in there, be strong. Let him know you're there for him if and when he needs to talk.
We're here for you.
Chin up. Unwavering. Fight. We can do this.
I'm so sorry knight is hurting and you are hurting for and with him. I see that you guys are about two years out from DDay. It sounds like this happened before at work. Do you know what triggers this? (Sorry of you've said it before. I'm new-ish here.)
All you can do is give him time and space. There is a teensy bit of it on him at this time to acknowledge that the pain he's experiencing is not related to any new event. It doesn't mean he has to stuff it or not experience it, but just try to mindfully process it as the pain subsides. It helped FWH and I a lot when I was able to compartmentalize out a trigger that had nothing to do with him in the present.
I hope that knight can see you as a comfort through this soon.
(((knightsbff & knight)))
[This message edited by Jrazz at 11:59 AM, May 3rd (Saturday)]
I can tell you that the further we got out from DDay, the less frequent triggers would occur. The when they did, the intensity was sometimes too much to bear. The intensity of the triggers is the last to go.
Like the others said, just be there for him. Listen and don't try to "fix" the situation. I know HT has just wanted me to listen and not try to see any sort of bright side or tell him why things are going to be okay.
Let him know you are in this together. He doesn't have to do this alone.
Things will get better.
You said in another thread, I think, that infidelity is rampant in y'all's workplace. Makes me wonder if it was something of that nature. Ugh.
Sorry you're hurting. There are times when BH needs to retreat to his cave for awhile, and all I can do is respect his space, as you say.
The people you do your life with shape the life you live
In fact the word "suffer" actually has a definition that means to allow or permit something to happen without trying to prevent it or alter it.
Hang in there, sister. Thoughts of strength and stability to you from a fellow EvolvingSoul.
Glimmers of healing.
Worse case scenario I can think of is him having to treat my AP. He would treat him well as he does all patients he sees and he would take pains to be very professional and polite and keep nursing staff or house supervisor with him but it would kill him because he still literally thinks of painful and ignominious deaths for him daily. He told me last week that he had spent about an hour catching up on searching the obits for him since he hadn't looked in about two months. I was pleased and called it progress because he used to look daily.
Anyway, I gave him space and just stayed available. He slept a little then was able to talk to me then eventually allowed me to comfort him (which comforted me). He is better now.
A major issue for him is he hasn't wanted anyone to know and so if someone that knows or someone he thinks might knows comes into the ER he is freaked out because he is afraid everyone he works with will find out. Or everyone in our small town, southern city. He is sooo worried for our kids and so am I. If it would help I would tell the kids in an age appropriate way and tell everyone we know as well. I know he owns none of my shame but you know how people think. He doesn't deserve to be judged.
This just sucks. I wish he would go to the menz forum for support. I think it would help him to tell them whatever happened but I think he worries about HIPPA. I don't think it would violate to talk about whatever happened on a anonymous message board in generic terms. Of course I know who the players are so he would have to be very generic.....
We worry about the AP and his BW knowing who we are on here. They knew I was on here shortly after d-day. At first we kept all identifying information out of our posts and tagline but we both have gotten pretty comfortable with the SI community lately so we (mostly I, but I do consult him on some things) just post what we feel like now.
What do you think? Is it safe for him?
And hugs, I know this is hard.
[This message edited by tired girl at 5:36 PM, May 3rd (Saturday)]
Any way, I work in health care software and have access to sensitive patient data. I am versed in HIPAA. I remember when days were simpler in this area. Like you said, as long as he keeps things very generic and nothing is mentioned that identifies the patient including diagnosis and specifics on what they were treated for, he should be fine. There are medical boards out there that you could probably google first to get an idea. After all, even for educational purposes things have to be documented in generic terms.
I wish the 2 of you all the best.
yop
I remember that after two years the triggers weren't as bad,
My experience was that 2 years out, the triggers didn't happen nearly as often as they had the 1st year. But when they hit, they hit hard. It was like being blindsided by them, because I was so used to them not happening. And it would be an odd combination of factors that triggered me. Not long after I started my 1st job after the divorce, I was driving down the toll road which was the same road ex had driven home on for years, a certain song came on the radio, and a guy on a motorcycle similar to ex's buzzed by me. I about lost it. Shaking, crying, my brain going in a gazillion directions. On top of that I was scared to death I would kill myself in an accident, and having that thought is what pulled me out of the trigger. I was still crying, but I managed to drive myself home.
The intensity of my reaction, over 2 years after d-day, scared the crap out of me. It was supposed to be better by then, after all.
I hope knight works through this, for both your sakes.
Knowing about the experience of year two triggers being intense helps me to understand and also helps prevent the panic that he is getting worse or not healing.
The reminders on how to help him, be there for him, not try to fix it, give him the space he needs....priceless. You people are right on the money, every time we start to flounder or panic you throw out the ring.
Thank you with all my heart. And Knight said to say thank you for him too.
ETA: and the hugs! I definitely need the hugs and just being heard.
I love you guys!
[This message edited by knightsbff at 9:05 PM, May 3rd (Saturday)]
I'll be thinking of both of you as you work through this.
Sending you both strength.
Sending big hugs to you both.
I texted him and he called. He's busy but no triggers so far.
Well done Knight for posting, I have no doubt he'll get excellent advice from the guys over there.
I'm not as far out as you guys so I don't think I can be much help but I am rooting for you two. I hope BH and I can get to where you are.
