Trauma overload [View all]

My life is falling apart. Spouse of 30 years moved out 11 weeks ago leaving a note; 4 surgeries/5 general anesthesias in the past year and needing 3 more surgeries; lost 4 dogs in a year; and that just starts the list.

In an effort to develop a new routine and be among people, I started taking my dog, Jenny, to the bark park every morning between 0530 and 0545 (we’re in Phoenix so it gets HOT early and stays HOT late).

This morning Jen & I arrived as usual. Maybe 10 minutes after we got there, I looked up and saw retriever mom falling sideways to the concrete pad under the shaded picnic tables. She was breathing when I got to her, but not conscious. I called 911 got the drool rag out of Jenn’s bag and started applying pressure while talking to 911. Retriever mom did not bring her cell phone to the park with her. GFD and EMS came. Retriever mom argued about going to ED, but was finally convinced maybe she should since she couldn’t remember her phone number, home address, numbers for emergency contacts or how she fell. I took responsibility for her dog leaving GFD & EMS my contact info.

I just talked to retriever mom’s very elderly husband. She has cranial bleeding and has been moved from ED to ICU.

I did fine during the emergency and I got the dogs home safe, but I’m a mess now. I’m just exhausted. I’m tired of being strong. I’m tired of faking it til I make it. I was already feeling very scared and lonely but it made me realize that if I was the one who fell, I got nobody here to call or take care of my dog. I’m just so angry that I let myself get into this situation.