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Sarojini
06-14-2006, 09:43 AM
Sorry I haven't been on much lately; a lot has been going on. I apologize in advance if this is long, too, but I am completely exhausted right now; not only have I had several 12 hour days at work but I am in one of my IC/fibromyalgia flare times and I'm moody and tired because my period is due tomorrow -- so everything is about to fly out of my cyber-mouth right now and I have almost no control over it.

I'm feeling pretty depressed at the moment. I guess a few things triggered it -- fatigue is one, but there are others. First, my husband has only three vacation days accrued this year since he just started this job in January. All along, we had been talking about using a few of those days to go somewhere, just the two of us, for our 3rd anniversary (July 12)... we have NEVER had a trip alone, believe it or not!! Literally all of our trips have been to visit family, and even our honeymoon had family at it since we had a destination wedding in Jamaica. Because of that, family was around since some were staying at the hotel we got married at -- my parents were GREAT about the whole thing and stayed away from us unless we specifically said we wanted to hang out, but my father-in-law and his wife, dense as all heck (some of you have heard other stories about them that aren't so nice) pestered us daily. They even came up to us on the day after our wedding, when we were supposed to be having a romantic dinner set up by the hotel out on the beach and wouldn't leave!!!

But I digress... anyway, I had been under the impression that Hubby was going to use part or all of his vacation days for us to FINALLY go somewhere alone since we'd discussed it so much. Recently, though, I found out that he is using ALL THREE DAYSto fly out to Idaho for his grandmother's 90th birthday party instead. :(

I'm really bummed about this -- yet AGAIN he dumps me for some family thing, and right near our anniversary as well. I understand that a grandmother's 90th b-day is a milestone, but I saw neither of my own grandmothers on their 90th's, and in fact, I missed one grandmother's funeral (which I still carry guilt around about). I'm extra mad that he led me on by discussing places we could go together and then turned around and did this.

I understand the importance of family, believe me, I do... but I think he goes overboard with all of his family stuff. Either we're visiting them or they're traipsing through our house like it's a Motel 6 (in April, we had first jerky FIL, then my sister-in-law and niece, who just happened to bring other people without telling us first, and finally, my mother in law and her husband -- we had NOT a single weekend alone that month).

Perhaps I naively believed that when you married, you began a new family as well, and that person should be just as special to you. I look at my parents' marriage and see something really special; they've been together over 40 years and while they had tough times sometimes, they still love each other and put each other FIRST. I thought that would happen, again naively, when I married John. I watch my parents unfailingly spend a week alone on Cape Cod every summer for their anniversary and even if they fought, they always made up and went for their "week." I thought I would end up with something romantic like that too and I feel disappointed. I see John repeatedly put himself and his family before me, and I feel hurt.

I am also upset over work. While things are going better, they still aren't great. I'm busting my butt and it seems like very little is coming of it. I am about to start a new project, however, and I am clinging to the hope that we get great data from it -- it is something I have wanted to do scientifically for years but didn't have the resources, and I now I do, so that is one light in all of this.

Last week my boss was interviewing a new candidate for the program I am in, and I had to go out to dinner with four professors and the guy. Dinner was at 7, and I was exhausted by that point, and sooooooo did not feel like sitting there with a plastered on smile pretending everthing is hunky-dory (well, like all things, there's a lot of good stuff here, but I was having a down day and was having trouble seeing it). Anyway, dinner went remarkably well -- until my boss brought up this other guy in the program that most of us postdocs and grad students think is an idiot(he's an arrogant MD trying to figure out how to do lab work for the first time in his life and he has broken equipment, etc, and treats women like dirt). The guy wasn't there because he was taking some board exams that weekend.

Well, the professors went about what a genius this guy is, and how when he gets out of here he will be able to name his price, and how he is producing such great research!! Ugggghhhhhhh.... it bothered me because the guy is a schmoozer and largely a fake person who is mean to people at times, and I didn't think he deserved the praise. And secretly, it bothered me because I miss people saying that about me. When I was in grad school, I had a stellar reputation and had such a great experience -- and then made the mistake of taking a terrible postdoctoral position (the one before this one) and fell off the map for a while. It kind of bruised my ego, thinking that once that could've been me, but I made a bad choice, then got sick, etc...and now I'm lower on the totem pole than this idiot. *SIGH*

To top it all off, they were all drinking red wine and made me take a sip, so I took just one tiny half sip... and flared all day Saturday just from about 4 drops of the wine.

I need to find a therapist... I swear I'm going crazy. I can't vent about this at home, because my husband said that when I complain, he gets stressed out and it's essentially my fault he had his heart episode a while ago. I can't vent to my parents about the work thing, because they don't take me seriously (but at least I could vent there about John's choice of Idaho over me for our anniversary, thank God). I don't have any really close friends here since I'm at work all the time, and the other women in the lab are just catty and gossipy, and I hate that. Even my PSYCHIATRIST doesn't want to hear it... last time he rushed me out of his office saying I "really ought to keep a journal." So the only "person" that's going to listen to my hurt is a piece of paper??? :cussing:

That can't be true, can it? :(

These days, I would probably bet it was.... and this is AFTER they upped my mood stabilizers.

:bonk: :mad: :( :shake:

ICNJess
06-14-2006, 10:07 AM
Jen,

I am so sorry you are having a rough time lately. You sound sooo sad and sooo overwhelmed with life. I really hope things get better for you soon. And forget the journal--you've got your IC family. :grouphug:

Hugs,
Jess

SharonA
06-14-2006, 10:33 AM
Jen...I'm with Jess. You will always have us. :grouphug: I wish we still lived close so we could have lunch together so I could give you a hug in person. Sorry things seem to be overwhelming right now. I hope things settle down a bit very soon so you can take a breather.

Talk to John, hon. Tell him how much you want to be alone with him so you two can get close. Entice him with thoughts of the fun you could have. I don't know a man who could resist that!!!!! After all, they don't think with their brains...:lmao:

poetgirl
06-14-2006, 10:57 AM
Lots of hugs! :grouphug: I sent you a PM...

Kara Isabel
06-14-2006, 10:59 AM
:grouphug: Jen.....

When it rains it pours!!!!!! (Literally, here right now! 6 inches and counting! LOL)

I know what you mean though.......DH and I used to go on alot of vacations *alone* together and the last few years it has been ALL family related and I'm getting a little bit burned out with it all :( I keep trying to get him to go away w/ me, but some family ordeal comes up and we spend the money on that. *sigh*

Oh well........

Is there any way he can use his sick days???

And the work issues, cripes.......

Maybe they *do* praise you when you aren't around! :) They probably do!

And there is NO WAY your venting is responsible for his heart thing awhile back, it would've surfaced regardless.

Vent away here anytime!!! I hope the flares and stress ease up soon.

love,
Kara

emilyrose197377
06-14-2006, 01:04 PM
Jen, I am sorry for what your going through. I can identify what your going through. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

sandramac
06-14-2006, 01:14 PM
:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :cat: :cat: :cat:

Katrina
06-14-2006, 02:45 PM
I guarantee you you have more than a piece of paper listening, caring, and sending you support!:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

I would be so majoryly upset to find out my husband was spending all of his vacation days on family after we talked about a time for us! :grouphug:

:kiss::kiss::grouphug:

ICNDonna
06-14-2006, 03:09 PM
Some days we'd just like to be children so we could stomp our feet, scream, and have a full blown tantrum! I'm sorry you're having one of those days today. I just hope tomorrow will be better for you.

Sending warm hugs,
Donna

dancemomof2
06-14-2006, 03:22 PM
I vote for the tantrum. (((((((JEN))))))) It seems like when 1 bad day hits several follow. Just remember we will always listen.


PS......I am all for a trip were should I tell the travel agent to send us?????

Babs RN
06-14-2006, 03:28 PM
Jen,
Sometimes life if a fraternity or sorority initiation where they pop you with the paddle and you bend over and say thank you sir may I have another. It just keeps coming and you never know where it is going to end. I can say the last month or so has felt that way for me, and it is making me feel crazy too. I really don't have any friends here because it was not our initial plan to stay here I didn't really socialize. I am sure once I go back to work and Lindsey starts autism camp next month things will improve. So my vent arena is small as well. I am going to see a counselor(and a lawyer too)and hope I get even more direction. I am only a few states south of ya if you want free lodging, head straight down 95. Take care of you sweetie and know I am always here for you, k?

Hugs,
Barb:smile tee :hi:

mom_in_ma
06-14-2006, 03:43 PM
Jen,
Sorry you're having such a rough time right now. Hope things start to look up soon.

If it makes you feel better, my husband and I have only had one long weekend away together in our nearly 10 years of marriage Seriously, our family all live in diferent parts of the country and ALL of our vacation goes to family visits. This summer it's a family reunion in the mid-west. I gave into it a long time ago. And yet we still have a very strong and happy marriage.

Take care of yourself!

Ascending
06-14-2006, 03:53 PM
Jen hon

Some days are simply overwhelming!! On the brighter side - that tends to clear the way for a few good days in a row.

Just a suggestion to make to your husband - if there is a town close to where his grandmother's B-Day party is - perhaps you could overnight in a hotel - the location unbeknownst to his family :+**

That way you could accompany him - be happy during the B-Day celebration - and still get your alone time with him - All within the 3 days he has available!!

My other suggestion is instead of talking to him about your hurt - send him an e-mail. After 26 years of marriage - and yes - every year - our one and only holiday at my in-laws - many attempts to discuss my feelings - the e-mail got thru where words never did. Unfortunately by then it was too late for us.

As to the work situation - lol - sounds very much like the "Old Boys Club" which is very prevalent in any number of career areas us women penetrate :+**

I do like the suggestion that more than likely your efforts are applauded in your absence much as your co-worker's were.

Bottom-line if you know within yourself you are doing a great job and you are excited about and satisfied with your work - what others think is irrelevant.

It's all about you girl!!!

Take Care,

E

creatingkarma
06-14-2006, 03:59 PM
(((((Jen))))) I've been wondering about you! So sorry to hear that things haven't been the best lately. Please don't feel like you only have a peice paper to listen to you, though! You should know that you can always come here.

I wish that you & your hubby could take some time for each other. I wish I could say the same for my marriage too! We've been married for 8 years & still have yet to take a honeymoon! Now, that's pathetic! He could at least take me to the local campground for a weekend! LOL! He's always busy working or doing something else when it comes to my family functions - even when it comes to his mom's functions, but if his dad is inviting us over - oh, we can't miss that!

I really wish that you could find a place to work that will treat you with the respect that you deserve. I know, it just makes you want to gag when you hear someone bragging on someone whom you know deserves no bragging at all! You are not below this guy either! Don't say such things to yourself! You are a much better person than he, judging by what you have said, & that's much more important in my status book!

Trishann
06-14-2006, 06:03 PM
Sorry you are feeling so low. I like that ideal about getting a hotel close to this B-day party, and tell no one. Spend that time only with you and him, if this is all possible.

Jen, I hope somehow things will work out for you.

Sarojini
06-15-2006, 03:15 AM
Thank you all for the hugs and suggestions. :) It's nice to have a place to come to where people read what I have to say and took time to reply to it :)

I think the idea of getting a hotel or bed and breakfast around here for the weekend is a great idea too; now if I can just get hubby to agree to it! Glad (well, not glad that everyone else deals with it, but glad I'm not alone, in a way) that other people understand what it's like to have a hubby do this kind of thing. Ugghhhhh.... it's maddening, isn't it? I guess we'll just have to take a quick weekend away sometime. Unfortunately, we'll have to get a hotel close to here later on, since I have no airline ticket to Idaho, and right now the flights are (gasp!) around $800 since it's so close to the date of travel. I refuse to pay that just to take the flight... I'll stay here and watch kitty and doggie for now.

As for work, well, yeah, maybe someone says something nice in my absence... I sure hope so. It was just sooooo irritating to hear this guy talked up; I can't stand him and actually, neither can a lot of the other people in the lab (grad students and postdocs). We've all discussed him before and most everyone's comments are, um, not so nice regarding him -- so I think any one of us would be po'd to hear the comments that were made that night.

Leslie -- let's go somewhere with a spa, so we can get some massages to get rid of all this tension all of us ICers hold :) LOL.... plus, a nice beach to laze around on, with a private cabana and cabana boy to wait on us hand and foot.... ah, dreaming is nice... LOL :lmao:

Sharon -- I too wish we could have lunch. I enjoyed our lunches out and it really is time for one!! I did tell John last night that the reason I was looking forward to spending time alone was that sometimes it was fun to have "fun" in a new place, and I was looking forward to a lot of "fun", the kind that is best enjoyed in private... ;) He seemed to be very interested in that, so perhaps he will work in something where we take a long weekend and he calls in "sick" on Monday.... ;)