Question:
I hope that all you who sent me cyberhugs and various other messages of
support don't mind a joint "thank you!" I've been trying to keep up
with the list, and I'm just now caught up. I haven't done much personal
correspondence--my mailbox overfloweth!
Ironically, I posted about insomnia today (the nortriptyline question)
and said that I don't have that symptom. I *don't* normally, but last
night I had a lot of trouble sleeping (I got 3 or 4 hours sleep). At
least I know exactly what is causing it! :-(
We (my brother, sister, and I) just sent a long letter, with lots of
information that has not been shared before, to my aunts and uncles
yesterday. Hence, the lack of sleep last night as I wondered what in
the world they are going to think about all this. Are they going to
think that we are betraying Mom? Or are they going to see that we love
her and only want to help? We tried really hard to stress that fact in
the letter. I've talked briefly with one uncle on the phone, and he
demanded facts, which is why we did the joint letter (now there's a drug
pun just waiting to happen....).
As the drug intervention counselor told me, it's almost like we have to
do an intervention on the family members in denial *before* we can even
do the intervention on the person (Mom) who has the drug problem. Now I
realize I should have told the aunts and uncles this stuff much earlier,
before things got this bad, but that's the old 20/20 hindsight.
I thank you all so much for your support and understanding on this
issue. I would not have had the strength (mostly physical, but
emotional as well) to do this a few years back, not to mention that my
sister and brother were still kind of in their own denial. But I feel
better now that they acknowledge the problem and are helping me to
convince the other relatives. And your support adds to that emotional
strength and resolve.
The good news is that health wise I've been feeling better lately. I
even worked 41 hours (we had a schedule crunch) a couple weeks back, and
I'm only supposed to work 25 (I took extra time off the following week).
Anyway, I just love you all for your support and kind words. I keep on
rambling, but I can't help it. I'll try to stay off this topic and stay
on the CFS topic.
Answer:
My sister did an alcohol intervention on her husband and it worked. It is
very important to have a rehersal! Her children had to fly in from all
over the country 2 times, once for the rehersal, and 2 weeks later for
the intervention. The *whole* family is dramatically changed for the better!
I think this is a very important event you are planning, and I admire your
very strong courage and deep feelings for your Mom! Good luck and strength to
you all!
