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Mentor

A New Kind of Grief in These Times

Posted by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw, Apr 7, 2020

If you are like me, you might be feeling uncomfortable, unsteady in your daily activities, perhaps unable to pinpoint just why you feel "off".

Our lives have been turned upside down recently, and this might continue for the near future, but it is not permanent. How we relate to people has changed, how we spend our days is quieter [unless you have kids at home!], a nonchalant hug to a friend is not a good idea. Gatherings, like a meeting, a health club, a place of worship, a sports activity, even school, are but a temporary memory. We have had to become better versed in technology to stay connected, if we want to visit. Celebrations and memorials are on hold.

I was recently given this article, and it really makes sense to me! While my personality lends itself to social isolation, I still miss the occasional interaction with my fellow humans.

- That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief

What do you grieve in these times? How are you handling this discomfort/grief, what are you doing to minimize lasting effects?

 

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 10, 2020
In reply to @mamacita "@gingerw, I wonder at times if anything will ever be the same again. Being quiet and..." + (show)
@mamacita

@gingerw, I wonder at times if anything will ever be the same again. Being quiet and doing things on my own never bothered me before. But times have changed. Almost everything that I try to do involves an extreme level of effort and expertise.

As I write this, my oldest daughter is in an LTAC facility, following her six week stay in the hospital. My husband has been hospitalized since March 9th. Hopefully he will be released sometime next week.

When I shop for necessities, I wear a mask. I use hand sanitizer. Any packages I buy are "in quarantine" for 24 hours. I disinfect my shoes after a supply run. I wash my clothes and take a shower after going outside to a store.

When I speak with my family I have a pass code that I have to give the nurse before they can talk to me. My husband is being treated for depression, following his three surgeries. He has been through so much.

The anxiety that I feel from having to learn all these new protocols has left my head spinning. I pay my daughter's bills. And there is a certain protocol for that as well. So often you cannot speak with a real person. You never know if a business is open or not. So you have to call ahead and hope someone answers.

All this seems trivial to some, I am sure. But it is so much pressure on me, as I am rhe only one who can do any of these things. I dont like going out to take care of business, because I fear bringing back a virus. I want my home to be safe for my Grandson.

These are my fears. Mostly, though, I am ok. Oh, did I fail to mention that I cannot vist my loved ones? Nope. No visitors allowed.

Holding the fort,
Mamacita Jane

Jump to this post

Cyber hugs @mamacita my friend. Hoping you are able to get some rest and relief for yourself.

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Apr 10, 2020

@mamacita Im so glad you posted I was beginning to worry about you . These times are very trying for sure you do have your hands full Hope you can get some rest everyday We are all thinking about you , your daughter and hubby . Hopefully he will be home soon for you . Be safe take care

REPLY
1 reply
Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Apr 10, 2020
In reply to @zep "Mamacita - trivial, no, not at all. You have your hands full, and a sad, lonely..." + (show)
@zep

Mamacita - trivial, no, not at all. You have your hands full, and a sad, lonely situation on top of that. My heart goes out to you.

Jump to this post

@zep, thank you for your kind response. I took a very long nap today. I woke up feeling better. My husband did get the package I got to help him use his phone better. Now, to determine why my daughter is not using her phone to text any of us. She had a trache, but I paid her phone bill. So she can Facebook message us. Or text.
I feel too deeply. When someone is hurting, I take that hurt onto my shoulders. I try not to. But it isn't that easy.

Love and light,
Mamacita Jane

REPLY
1 reply
Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Apr 10, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@mamacita Im so glad you posted I was beginning to worry about you . These times..." + (show)
@lioness

@mamacita Im so glad you posted I was beginning to worry about you . These times are very trying for sure you do have your hands full Hope you can get some rest everyday We are all thinking about you , your daughter and hubby . Hopefully he will be home soon for you . Be safe take care

Jump to this post

@lioness, thank you for responding. I did rest a lot today. I feel a little better. I hope that my family will be home from the hospital soon. I miss them terribly. I keep thoughts at bay of the corona virus, most of the time. They are both getting excellent medical care, and they need to stay right there until they are able to come home.

I have missed my Mayo Clinic Connect peeps so much. I will try to get back here as much as I can. We are a community that cares about each other.

Love and light,
Mamacita Jane

REPLY
zep | @zep | Apr 10, 2020

Mamacita, I am so glad you are feeling better. I hope your situation will improve and that you and your family can be happy again.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 10, 2020
In reply to @mamacita "@gingerw, I wonder at times if anything will ever be the same again. Being quiet and..." + (show)
@mamacita

@gingerw, I wonder at times if anything will ever be the same again. Being quiet and doing things on my own never bothered me before. But times have changed. Almost everything that I try to do involves an extreme level of effort and expertise.

As I write this, my oldest daughter is in an LTAC facility, following her six week stay in the hospital. My husband has been hospitalized since March 9th. Hopefully he will be released sometime next week.

When I shop for necessities, I wear a mask. I use hand sanitizer. Any packages I buy are "in quarantine" for 24 hours. I disinfect my shoes after a supply run. I wash my clothes and take a shower after going outside to a store.

When I speak with my family I have a pass code that I have to give the nurse before they can talk to me. My husband is being treated for depression, following his three surgeries. He has been through so much.

The anxiety that I feel from having to learn all these new protocols has left my head spinning. I pay my daughter's bills. And there is a certain protocol for that as well. So often you cannot speak with a real person. You never know if a business is open or not. So you have to call ahead and hope someone answers.

All this seems trivial to some, I am sure. But it is so much pressure on me, as I am rhe only one who can do any of these things. I dont like going out to take care of business, because I fear bringing back a virus. I want my home to be safe for my Grandson.

These are my fears. Mostly, though, I am ok. Oh, did I fail to mention that I cannot vist my loved ones? Nope. No visitors allowed.

Holding the fort,
Mamacita Jane

Jump to this post

@mamacita It is not trivial by any means. Your current stressors have got to be temporary, I pray for that. I know there must be several of us who would step up to help if there was a cry to "come", from you. Sending you a gentle hug, and cuppa tea for comfort,
Ginger

REPLY
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 11, 2020
In reply to @mamacita "@zep, thank you for your kind response. I took a very long nap today. I woke..." + (show)
@mamacita

@zep, thank you for your kind response. I took a very long nap today. I woke up feeling better. My husband did get the package I got to help him use his phone better. Now, to determine why my daughter is not using her phone to text any of us. She had a trache, but I paid her phone bill. So she can Facebook message us. Or text.
I feel too deeply. When someone is hurting, I take that hurt onto my shoulders. I try not to. But it isn't that easy.

Love and light,
Mamacita Jane

Jump to this post

Mamacita, I'm just chiming in with others in wishing the very best for you and your loved ones. As another person who is hypersensitive to the needs of others, I have to work hard at not "living" another's deeply troubling situations. Setting personal boundaries is easier said than done for some of us.

Years ago, I told a neighbor that I was a master at worrying. She thought I'd said: I'd mastered worry and asked: How did you Do that???...she's still waiting for my answer...vbg Sending you big cyber hugs.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 11, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "Mamacita, I'm just chiming in with others in wishing the very best for you and your..." + (show)
@fiesty76

Mamacita, I'm just chiming in with others in wishing the very best for you and your loved ones. As another person who is hypersensitive to the needs of others, I have to work hard at not "living" another's deeply troubling situations. Setting personal boundaries is easier said than done for some of us.

Years ago, I told a neighbor that I was a master at worrying. She thought I'd said: I'd mastered worry and asked: How did you Do that???...she's still waiting for my answer...vbg Sending you big cyber hugs.

Jump to this post

Hello @fiesty76,

I do like what you said, "... I have to work hard at not "living" another's deeply troubling situations."

That is a very succinct way of describing folks who are overwhelmed by the problems of others. Sometimes worriers will live the troubling situations of others.

I really appreciate that description, well put!!

REPLY
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 11, 2020

Thank you Teresa. I am such a blabber, I'm glad something I said may have helped in some small way. Smiles.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 12, 2020
In reply to @zep "Mamacita, I am so glad you are feeling better. I hope your situation will improve and..." + (show)
@zep

Mamacita, I am so glad you are feeling better. I hope your situation will improve and that you and your family can be happy again.

Jump to this post

Hi @zep and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. How kind of you that your first posts offer support and care to @mamacita. She is usually the person who offers welcomes and support to many here in our Connect community. Lately she needs her virtual friends. Thank you for recognizing that.

Zep, I see you just recently joined Mayo Clinic Connect. I'd like to get to know more about you. How did you find Connect? What would you like us to know about you?

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