Posted by Laurence on August 17, 1998 at 15:48:23:
In Reply to: My mother is having suicidal thoughts...Help! posted by Cassandra on August 17, 1998 at 00:33:16:
Cassandra, there is not lot more that I can add to the comments already made by everyone here. Other than to remark that within less than 24 hours you have obtained some of the best and most up to date advice there is to be had on clusters anywhere in the world today.
By sharing and combining our experiences we are all helping each other through cycles of what at times can be excruciating and almost unbearable pain.
The fear of the pain can sometimes be more unsettling than the pain itself. When the pain hits, you know that it will usually pass within an hour or two. When you haven't got the pain, but you are in a cycle, you have the knowledge that the torture is going to start again within a few hours or less. That, along with the lost sleep, can quickly wear down your resolve.
As has already been remarked on, it is very difficult for our nearest and dearest simply because when the pain hits we almost invariably want and need to be left alone. To walk around in the dark with no distractions and no noise. My wife and kids have learned to just stay away for a bit until I come back and start communicating with them again. That is as tough on them as it must be on you.
Take care and keep us posted on how your mother is doing.
Bye for now.
Laurence