Monday, July 20, 2009

Blogging

I really don't enjoy blogging. At first it was difficult for me to write anything at all. I didn't want to expose the struggles of the pregnancy or give minute details about how we were coping. The truth is I don't really want to share all my feelings with everyone. That's why there are long gaps between posts sometimes. I just don't have anything positive to say. I refrain from these posts: "Here are 100 reasons why life sucks now." Or maybe: "I almost pushed someone in front of a car today." Or how about: "I can't stop crying this week and my face will probably always be this puffy."

The truth is that grief has its way with you. I'm up and down and angry and sad. I'm talking zero to 60 in milliseconds. I've had many sleepless nights, and I was having a hard time believing it had anything to do with my grieving. But who am I kidding? Grief leaves its residue on everything. I look in the mirror and see someone different, but people don't treat me that way. It's not like I want them to. Or maybe I do. I don't make decisions as well as I used to. I don't care as much about other people's problems. I don't want to ask about your day. I don't want to hear happy stories.

It's not like that every day. I never see it coming. Some days, the mornings are great and the afternoons are miserable. Some days I want to scream and some days seem completely normal. And I can't find any rhythm to it. Most of the time, I just want to be alone with my agony.

It hasn't helped that I fractured my foot only 2 weeks after I was cleared to begin exercising. I spent 6 weeks in a boot and I'm still restricted (at least for another 2 weeks). I haven't been able to exercise as much as I wanted or lose as much baby weight as I'd hoped. I had planned to be in a 4 miler at the first of September, and I was so excited to begin the training program. Six weeks before the race, I'm still not able to do any jogging - doctor's orders. All of that has heaped frustration upon grief, and there's just no getting around it. I have to live through it. What choice do I have?

I know everyone deals differently with their grief, and here I am. Four and a half months have passed since we lost Isaac, but the stress started last September when we heard "cystic hygroma". I've been trying to cope since then. It just seems like it's been a long road already and I see no signs of relief ahead.

4 comments:

Becka said...

Can't even imagine what you are dealing with. It sounds like you are doing the best you can- one day at a time! Will remember you and CJ in prayer.
~Rebekah

The McFarland Family said...

My heart aches for you, Whitney. I continue to be amazed by your strength and courage as you honor Isaac with your words and actions.

Unknown said...

Just remember you are not alone in feeling the way you do - I have days just like those. Thank you for sharing.

~Kimberly

Victoria Miller said...

Whitney,
You're right where so many of us find ourselves in this terrible "middle phase" of the 1st year living with the loss of our child. Just know you're completely normal where you are right now -- I was with my Isaac too. You might like to read this piece that another Mother wrote that describes the challenges along the way of this journey http://www.trisomy18.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5051.

~Victoria, Isaac's Mom (2/19/01-3/2/01)http://www.trisomy18.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5059&news_iv_ctrl=1541