Originally Posted By lesmisfan during some rough times in my family that i really can not get into, I was in between jr. high and high school and because of what happend i grew up a little bit more than my fellow students.
Originally Posted By DisneyKell Happy October to you too! For me the past two years have been the hardest years of my life! I have had to be so strong emotionally. and that is hard for me because I am just a super emotional person. My aunt (whom was more like a mom to me) passed away from a rare form of breast cancer, I had a complete hysterectomy (at 25) due to major medical problems. While split up from my husband, I witnessed my dates murder. He was protecting my best friend (his cousin) and myself from a group of gang members that were sexually attacking us. but heaven only knows how the bullets didnt go right through me. as they should have. I was in the line of fire. anyway. I have learned a whole new meaning of being strong for myself.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Mine was walking away from what a lot of people thought was a dream situation/relationship to be in. I wasn't happy, I felt like I had lost myself into that persons identity. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but I feel it was for the best and it made me really take a good hard look at who I really wanted to be. What I wanted out of life and what was important to me. I feel forever stronger for that decision.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo A few too many - Being told while I was in a wheelchair aged 10(having broken my leg and arm) my Mom would not live to see my 18th birthday. My grandmother who we lived with died shortly after that. (My mom is still here thankfully) Moving 6000 miles from my home, only to be beaten up the 1st day (and several days) of school because my accent was different. And then have the school faculty accuse me of bullying!!! Also, when I spent my 16th birthday living in a camper because we had lost our house. Taking care of my father (who had a tumor removed from the base of his spine), my mother who was recovering from a heart attack, and my newborn and 2 year old brothers, all while trying to do my AA exams (A levels in the UK) and hold down two jobs while saving for college. And people wonder why I am mature for my age.
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess Probably when both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer within 3 weeks of each other. I was 22 at the time. I have had lots of other almost equally challenging obstacles in life, though. Hard to say which I was the strongest throughout. They've ALL put things in perspective for me and taught me to appreciate every moment.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Losing a parent(s) is I think the biggest reality check of them all. Dave and Mom - thanks for sharing.
Originally Posted By friendofdd At age 31, I was having a good life as a husband and father. In May that year, 1970, my mother died after battling cancer for several years. In July, my Dad's second wife ,a member of our family for a long time, also died of cancer. In August, my Mother's second husband, also a long time member of our family, died of a massive heart attack. Staying strong for my wife, children, and my father and younger brothers took all I had. I am so grateful for the strength God provided me in those dark weeks.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Losing a parent(s) is I think the biggest reality check of them all.<< Very true. I don't know if I was particularly strong or not through my dad's battle with cancer this year, but I did a lot of things I never thought I could do. You kind of go on 'auto pilot' through something like that and do what must be done. I'm too close to it to judge if it was a moment of strength. It's only been a few weeks but already I miss him terribly.
Originally Posted By ophellia I always thought it was my Daddys death when I was 10...but then in May this year my BFF took his life and this seems pretty rough..my son whom my BFF raised is still here, SO I'm still here ...it has to get better yeah?
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Man friendofdd that was a lot to have happen so close together. My family has been through a very similar thing. Indeed God sure helps us through. Kar2oonman while I wanted to put that getting through my dad's death was a strength I too after 3 years now am not sure I know how to gauge that experience. It was and is life altering that is for sure. Ophellia - I'm so sorry, you will be ok eventually. Hang in there.
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom This phase in my life. It began in 2000 when my Mom had a problem with her heart. A year later, I recognised the same symptoms Mama was having in my own heart and sure enough I was having Congestive heart failure (at 33yrs old). Mom fully recovered from that and I did too. Doctor told us that a virus had invaded my heart and that was what had caused my problem. They were unsure what caused hers. In 2003 Daddy had 4 bypass surgery (2 days after my B-day) and had recovered from that. His survival & recovery was one of the best birthday presents I ever had. In June 2006 Daddy had a major storke (while we were at WDW, no less). Just when he was recovering from the stroke, My congestive heart Failure came back last October (2006). I am not recovering as fast or as well from this bought of CHF. The Cardiologist wants to put a Pacemaker/Defribulator in now. I have a consultation this Thursday.To top it all off I turned 40 this year! LoL. I have really had to grow up and face reality this decade. I had Mom & Dad there when I needed them and I was able to be there when they needed me. We joke that maybe it was that mirror we broke 7 years ago & now maybe we are ready for a change of luck.
Originally Posted By LPFan22 Right now. I'm facing emotional and physical health issues. Not major but things I've dealt with most of my life and I'm finally working hard to take control of my life.
Originally Posted By LPFan22 ^^^Well... as much control as God will allow me to have that is. The rest is up to Him.
Originally Posted By LuLu My heart goes out to all of you! I too have been thru a lot in the past 5 years, starting with the death of a member of our household (my MIL). I could go on and on... but I think the worst was after my dad and his 3 siblings all passed away in 2005. After going thru that, my mom was diagnosed with psychotic depression. I had to arrange for her to be taken to a psychiatric hospital. I don't think I'll ever forget the sound of her voice on the phone as they were arriving to take her "under my protests!" Ugh. The good news tho, it worked and she's doing great now. But that was one of the hardest things I had to do.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 lilgoofymom, I work with a woman who is 56 who went through the very same thing with her heart. Just know she is a healthy vibrant woman. While she is very cautious with diet and fitness freak for sure. She survived and is doing wonderful. I'll keep you in my prayers. You too, my 22 sister. I always have you in my prayers. ;> I remember when all of that happen LuLu. I know through my own life experiences you get to a point of surrender. For me my surrender is always to God, just a point of saying just take it, I can't do this anymore, just lead me where I'm suppose to go. Reading these hardships sure makes you realize maybe my whining about having a cold today or whatever it is we start to feel sorry for ourselves about needs to stop. ;>
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom Poor LuLu. We have been there with my Granpa. When I was much younger, my Mom had to be party to having my Granpa put into psychiatric hospital. She had help though, her siblings helped with this. Great that your Mom is doing better now. That had to have been miserable for you both. 2005 was very rough on you. I cannot imaging how you must have felt. We have a large family, My Mama has 8 sisters and brothers. Their ages range from 48-62 now. All are very close and still live within 20 miles of each other. It will be very difficult to lose any one of them, let alone to lose 4 in one year.
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom Thanks Lisann. It is nice to get good news. So many people want to give you horror stories when they hear that you have a sickness. I am headed in the right direction. I have lost 30 pounds in the last year & half, but still have a good 60 to lose. I am working at it. I am hoping that the pacemaker thing is going to help me have more stamina to be able to exercise & lose more. I Really apprieciate the Prayers. I know that they will be answered. : )
