NoteasybeingmeCasual Contributor
Stealing a bit of Caring is Killing me thunder
TW: SI
I read with a sad heart the forum topic Caring is Killing me. Although our stories are different, the emptiness and lack of perception is the same.
briefly, I am an only child. Married nearly 26 years o a wonderful man, and we have a son who, because of his dad, is a support worker. I lost my mum and dad to cancer, and was their only carer, more than 10 years ago. In laws are persona non grata. My husband had a fuel tanker accident in 2016. Revived 3 times, has a spinal cord stimulator and supbra pubic catheter, amongst other things. The biggest problem is is PTSD. And there are very few experts in trauma related PTST, all veteran or sexual assault etc. Oh, and he is impotent. There’s a small period of time this nerve could have been saved, but nothing was really picked up, and I certainly wasn’t believed enough just how bad his PTSD seizures were. For 2.5 years! We were with WorkCover who were great. Anyway. We finally got a great team and he has come a long way. The focus has been on his quality of life and worthwhile life. I got him started as a gardener. Just small at first. Bigger now! But it is taking a toll on his body and I feel so, so bad. I also lost my job 4 years ago so he is now our primary bread winner. I thought I had a job which would mean he could relax a bit now, let me take over, after all, I got him into this mess, but I didn’t get it. And things went down hill quickly.
my son had a free app from work, for family too, and asked me to seek help for my mentions health which has deteriorated rapidly. I did, because he said I would if I loved him (I am actually a loner so I would not have otherwise). I sent an email. Outlining my plans to take my life so he would have my super, I can help him, I am useless etc etc. I left to go and do job and they messaged back straight away, I didn’t know. When I did not they called 000. Next thing 3 cop cars for a welfare check. Husband had no idea and thinks I called him on him! Showed him screen shots, still not convinced. Son got a couple of hours off to come and sort the mess. This was my life for 2 days and nights. He was off in PTSD land. It is ok today, we have all talked about it. Went to GP today.
Nut the thing is, my mind set up has not changed.caring is still killing me. I have no job, no hobbies, no sex life or intamacy just a bloke I put first in everything, that gets me nothing. Does that make sense? I just want to sleep and never wake up. I love my son and husband to really do that to them, but the thoughts to not ever abate. I don’t want them to hate me, we have worked for so hard for so long, the three of us.
I don’t have much of a social circle. They all disappeared after the accident. He tried the NDIS route - nope. $76 a fortnight for disability pension as I was working then. Centrelink turned me down for carer’s pension after I lost my job but I do get the allowance.
what can I do but go away because my bright idea isn’t being nice to him. Sorry this is so long. Xx