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I Battle Depression On My Own

It's been a very hard couple days for me. My wife has really struggled in not doing what she used to be able to do and she cries a lot more these days. All I can do is hold her and try to comfort her. It gets harder every day for me to try and cheer her up when I am struggling to stay positive on my own. I have reached out to a few friends for help but they are too busy and don't have time. My family hasn't wanted to talk with me for years. I can't get support from my wife since she has a terminal disease and her family is struggling enough. I've always been there for everyone in my life through the years. I didn't think it was too much to ask to have someone to help me through this, but it seems it is too much to ask.
Hope70 · F
I'm sorry for the trial you are having to endure. It always seems unless someone has been where you've been then they do not know how to respond. It's sad in this world that so many takers but few givers. People don't want to support those who are hurting in this world no matter what they are struggling with. I found when I went through many trauma's in my life that writing and just getting those locked up feelings out helped a lot. Talking to someone like a pastor or even counseling can help if you are ready to do so. Try to not be too hard on yourself and know that it's okay to express whatever feelings you may have inside. Sending positive prayers your way that you'll find the strength in yourself to get through this.
Rusham · M
I read these wise words on SW from SoFine41F
I know it might not fit your circumstances fully but hopefully you can take something from it.


True success is being with all the mundane stuff - WHY? 99% of life is mundane.

The best gift that you can give you - is to still the mind.
When a mind is still - then you are not trapped in - mulling over all the aspects of your life, that work or not. When we mull on stuff - we rob us of each moment as it is.

Your first true love is your self love. To build up your self worth is your job. These two life tools of self-love and self-worth are your anchor. Then no matter how others around you act and behave at you - you will be anchored in you.

On YouTube are many music healing meditations that you can begin with - I use Relax River or Vortex Success. Music heals and calms, it will help you silence your mind jibber jabber.

This quote will indicate your next step:

Whenever the internal dialogue stops, the world collapses and extraordinary facets of ourselves surface, as though they had been heavily guarded by our words. You are like you are, because you tell yourself that you are that way.
Don Juan Matus

One more
He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”
― Lao Tzu
@Rusham 👍 Hope your timely sent words cud strengthen him more to be able to be by his partner's side during these trying times. Thank you for making this thoughtful difference.
My deepest respect for your resilience and strength, in the face of this savage illness.

Have you thought about getting connected with your local ALS chapter? They can be invaluable networks of support and comradery, for both patient and family caregiver. While facilitating access to quality of life programs/therapies. There is a strong network of expertise and access to continued learning, of the latest advancement.

I realize you are in Canada, but these folks are wonderful to talk to and can possibly connect you to similar such centers in your country.

Forgive me if I'm being redundant, more than likely you're well familar with the info below.

In our heart felt prayers tonight, you and your dear wife 🙏

The ALS Association Greater Sacramento Chapter:

2717 Cottage Way - Suite 17 - Sacramento, CA 95825

(916) 979-9265


COPY PASTE TO ADDRESS BAR

http://websac.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SAC_homepage


CANADA:

NOT SURE WHAT PROVINCE YOU'RE IN, BUT I SELECTED THE FIRST IN ITS LIST:

https://www.als.ca/support-services/inside-of-ontario/als-clinics/

OTHERWISE:

https://www.als.ca/support-services/other-provinces/
@gmatthewb A most valuable contribution in studying the disease process first hand.
And in that act, is a certain kind of victory.
She should be very proud.

I hope you find a similar support system, on to which you might lean and unload your weariness and grief.
Although I understand the difficulty in asking this of any friend or stranger.
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@SethGreene531 I'll fix myself after all this is over.
@gmatthewb I hear that.

Pleasure to speak with you this evening, thank you for sharing your journey.

Reach out to us anytime here.
Peaches · F
I will never understand why life has to be so painful?!😞Then all you have is each other, just tell her that and how you are feeling too. You are just one person and can't do everything in a day so try to let that go! All you can do is live one day at a time and try to be the best person you can. ⭐I just hang on to the fact that nothing stays the same, which is good when we're living in hard times. When I fell down a flight of stairs I was in a wheel chair for a long time, my boyfriend had to do everything, we had no outside family support either. I would try not to cry in front of him, but sometimes I did. Even when I didn't feel like it I would give thanks for my life....very slowly things have improved. 🍀 Green is a healing color, sending healing prayers for you and your wife.💫🙏🏼
Thebestof1995 · 26-30, F
Life is a struggle. I don't know if you are religious or not, but having something/someone to believe in sometimes helps. I'm sorry that you're feeling so alone in this. I know most of the time (especially when in depression) it's easier said than done, but try to do what you love to do whenever you can. It makes life at least a little bit more bearable.
Thebestof1995 · 26-30, F
@gmatthewb I understand. It's totally natural to loose interest in what you enjoy doing when you're depressed.
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@Thebestof1995 Unfortunately it is. Then it seems the depression gets worse because you don't know how to dig yourself out of the hole
Thebestof1995 · 26-30, F
@gmatthewb exactly.
GlamGirl · F
I am so very sorry you are going through this. I have no magic words of wisdom, besides what others have said. Are you religious? Can someone at your church come over and talk with you, counsel you, help you feel better and pray with you? Being a caregiving is so selfless and oftentimes lonely. Are there any support groups for you to attend or maybe participate in online, if you cannot leave her? Try to take a few minutes each day to get outside by yourself, breathe some fresh air, regroup and just be...with no demands on you. Sending light and prayers and comforting thoughts for your wife and you.
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@GlamGirl Thank you for your thoughts. I am not religious actually. I have looked a little for online support groups but haven't had much luck yet. I do go out at times on my own as I still need to get groceries and other shopping at times. It isn't really enough though to help me clear my head. I have tried to find something that interests me enough to get my mind off things for a bit but have yet to find anything to keep my interest due to my own depression and lack of motivation. I have tried a few things over the past few weeks that I think might help, but nothing seems to help enough. I'm not giving up any time soon though. I just wish there was a way to make things a bit easier. Maybe it isn't supposed to be easy. I've always believed, if it is hard to do, then it is worth doing.
GlamGirl · F
I understand. And maybe this isn't your time. It's her time. But remember that everything changes in life. It won't be like this forever. And when your next chapter begins, it will be all about you. Right now you are consumed with her, so it's hard to see that light. But don't give up. Your time will come. Good things are on the horizon for you. i know it. ✨@gmatthewb
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@GlamGirl Thank you, I am sure things will get better one day. It is very hard to feel that way though when things are so bad now and will get a lot worse. I can't see the light with so much darkness.
rokrchik1211 · 26-30, F
Maybe you should check and see if there are any support groups that are for people in this situation
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@PoetryNEmotion There might be, but I'm not the one with the terminal disease, so most of my focus is on what I can do for my wife. Also, she cannot do much on her own any more and the helpers that come every now and then are very limited as to what they can do. So I need to be here always for her.
@gmatthewb And who will be there for you when she is gone? You need support now in preparation for then. And for what you are going through. Your depression will not magically disappear.
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@PoetryNEmotion When she passes, then I will deal with my issues, I will have time at that point. I just hope I won't have someone trying to tell me my issues stem from my wife passes.
LittleCoco · 46-50, F
I'm so sorry you're in such a difficult situation. Being a caregiver is one of the most difficult tasks especially when it's someone you love.
LittleCoco · 46-50, F
If you want someone to talk to you can message me. @gmatthewb
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@LittleCoco Thank you, I do appreciate your offer. What I need more than anything is someone to cheer me up every now and then. This is difficult keeping my wife laughing and keeping her spirits up when I'm so sad all the time.
LittleCoco · 46-50, F
You need a break. Is there not some support in your community ie someone who can come in for a few hours and give you a break while caring for your wife? There must be a volunteer agency. I doubt you would place her in a respite bed at this point. Where are your real friends? Geez.
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@PoetryNEmotion I don't ask. I have depression as it is, so I don't feel I am worthy of help. So when the social worker comes, I don't bring it up. My wife knows about my depression, but she doesn't say anything to anyone about it either. It isn't getting in the way of me caring for her so I don't worry about it most times.
@gmatthewb I wish you would ASK. You are important. Often caregivers become depressed. It is common. It gets in the way of your living. Please consider it.
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@PoetryNEmotion I have thought about it and I have talked it over with my wife. I have had this depression for over 30 years now, I have a handle on it most times. Days like today are a lot harder on me though because my wife spent a lot of it crying. Makes things a lot harder on me. I was still able to get her to laugh and smile a few times today though. Tough when I have nobody to help me smile about something.
SW-User
💜 sending thoughts your way
SW-User
Is there hospice where you are or something like it?
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@SW-User There are a lot of services around for my wife, not so many for me. My wife wants to stay in the house, she is comfortable here. We have people come here to help my wife with some things, but they are limited as to what they can do.
SW-User
Then you are doing everything you can. @gmatthewb
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@SW-User I'm doing my very best.
Zonuss · 46-50, M
Keep going. Never give up.
gmatthewb · 51-55, M
@Zonuss Thank you, I don't plan to give up. Crappy thing is the end is getting closer.

 
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