I’m feeling utterly defeated and desperately needing to catch a break

I’m doing everything I can possibly do but it’s just not enough and I can’t get caught up. I can’t even catch my breath at this point. I’m overwhelmed by everything and I’m completely emotionally drained. I’m trying to focus on the things that matter most, at least in the moment but there are too many things that matter and they’re all so fucking heavy.

Even as I’m worrying and trying to figure out the critical issues I need to find solutions for, I’m getting pulled away by meltdowns, sensory issues (usually pertaining to food or clothes) or pretty much anything else you can imagine when dealing a list as extensive as the one above.

In the last 24 hours alone, poor Emmett has been hit with another fever flare and he’s absolutely miserable. His mouth is breaking out in sores tonight, like the one below.

There isn’t a single thing I can do for him, aside from comforting him as best I can. There’s zero treatment options and it has to run its course. He’s in so much pain but because of his sensory issues, he doesn’t like feeling numb from things like topical pain blockers. It’s absolutely awful and he’ll be dealing with these for the next seven to ten days.

I was just at the grocery store last weekend and spent too much. We’re having some issue with Gavin that I need to talk about later but they’re having a significant impact on our grocery budget.

When Emmett hits a flare up like this, he stops eating because everything hurts. This means I need to go back out to the store because we’ll have to try and get him to eat things like coconut ice cream, pudding and apple sauce, none which we have at the moment.

Emmett’s struggling, Elliott’s struggling, Gavin is requiring nearly constant supervision and Lizze is down with the worst migraine she’s had in a long time. As I’m trying to catch my breath after feeding the kids, I discovered a huge tick on Ruby’s shoulder. That turned into a fiasco that required an unplanned trip to the pharmacy, kids freaking out and further distraction from the things I need to be focusing on. It’s not a huge deal and I dealt with it but it’s just one thing after another.

I’m so overwhelmed right now. I feel absolutely defeated and physically as well as emotionally depleted. My life literally consists of facing one problem, getting pulled away before I can fully address it because of a new, more pressing problem, only to have the same thing happen again and again. All while everything continues to collect or buildup in the background.

It’s hugley positive that I managed to accomplish as much as I did today. The only major bill I couldn’t cover was the gas bill. I called and I should have a few days to figure that out. It’s relatively manageable ($510.25) because we’ve been managing to keep up with it pretty well the last few months. It’s not unheard-of to have a new advertising gig come in while I’m sleeping that more than cover the gas bill. I have some hope that I’ll figure this out. ☺

In the mean time, I have to get Lizze to the Cleveland Clinic after lunch today. She’s at the Neurological Center of Pain, where her migraine specialist is. We will hopefully figure out what the delay is on her new migraine medication. That’s extremely important and almost nothing can interfere with making this trip. I don’t know how my grandfather will be doing or what will happen between now and then. Regardless, I have to get Lizze to this appointment because she desperately needs relief. Practically speaking, if she feels better, she can help with more and that’s of benefit to all of us. I have to prioritize this appointment.

At the same time, I’m going through my own shit, some I’ve spoke about and some I haven’t. It never feels like I have time for me to go through it though.

I wish the world would slow down, just for a little while because I need to catch my breath and I desperately need to catch a break. 😔

Rob Gorski

Full time, work from home single Dad to my 3 amazing boys. Oh...and creator fo this blog. :-)
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Loretta Lee

I am so sorry you undergoing such pain. I have I daughter in the spectrum and that is so so hard.… https://t.co/2N3kwCkvzC

50ishWithAFullNest

I’m so sorry. I don’t have as many issues going on as you do — two typical kids and one with high-… https://t.co/HTYWXFMnjz

50ishWithAFullNest

I hesitate to offer suggestions, because some people are offended at the suggestion they may not ha… https://t.co/8olU9wHQ1s

Rafiat Sule

So sorry about that

Allan J Duggan

Mate, move over , there’s room for 2.
You’re not doing this on your own my friend.
I’m offering my… https://t.co/RVi0a6SGg8

The Divergent

DM me please.

BeckyW

It’s like you can’t catch a break. And your grandfather on top of all you 5 deal with, and you still dealing with the depression and trauma of dental work…makes for too much. Can Lizze’s parents help a little more by watching your sons during this time? (Poor Lizze, my headaches and migraines come frequently but not at the severity hers hit. I’ve had some doozies but the meds I use and the TENS unit help.)

I don’t know your income and I can only guess about things like you and/or family members being on disability and getting Medicaid. Aren’t you all eligible for someone to come to your house an hour or 2 a day to watch Gavin or boys if they are out of school, and give you a little more of a break? Even a couple times a week? (I have no idea what is available for people in your situation. Plus it isn’t something that would happen quickly if at all, so doesn’t fix anything now.)

Anyway, the safety and care for your family come first. You can be there for your grandfather but if you need to be with your kids that is the way it is. I don’t know how conscious he is, but he couldn’t blame you for caring for your family. My husband missed saying goodbye to my dad at the very end, because he had to work 7 days a week, 12 hours a day for awhile and couldn’t travel. My dad wasn’t very conscious, and was on morphine with his end-stage cancer, and I think he would have wanted my husband to take care of us.

Anyway, hold on to all the people you love who love you and they will help you get through this. It’s the only way.