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officially overwhelmed

Kara and Todd Posted:

officially overwhelmed

It's 26 days, 10 hours until my wedding.

It's 22 and a half hours until my father's quadruple bypass - open heart surgery.

I've slept one full night in the last week. I stay in bed all night, but I wake up every hour or every hour hour and a half. When I do sleep, I have bizarre dreams or nightmares which are often unrelated to anything going on. I'm keeping FH up with my tossing and turning. It doesn't matter what I take or what I do - my body can't rest. My mind can't turn off. And my mind is racing with stupid stuff.

I appreciate everyone's support and so many people telling me that it'll be fine - not to worry, people have this surgery every day and they are so much better when it's over... It does make me more comfortable with the surgery, but I'll stop worrying when it IS over and he IS better. I do appreciate people trying to make me feel better, but I can't help how I feel. He's my DAD. I'm sure it'll be successful, but that doesn't mean it won't suck for him to go through the recovery and it doesn't mean I'm not scared. I am.

On less important notes, we still don't have music for the ceremony b/c the freakin' music director at the church hasn't returned my calls. I'm the heaviest I've ever been and eating like an adolscent boy. Despite working out hard 6 days a week, I'll be fat on my wedding day. My FILs have pissed me off beyond what I ever thought possible. I don't need them adding to my stress right now by being idiots. They can't do the simplest of things, but keep asking what we want them to do -- they haven't done what we HAVE asked (call ONE person who hasn't RSVP'd), so why would I expect that they'd do more?

They have two guests who still haven't RSVP'd and they won't just call them and ask them if they're coming. It's been a week and a half. They can't call them, but they call and tell us to stop stressing out over the wedding because they can help in any way we want, like by making programs, etc.. Uh, we want you to call these people -- and we would have appreciated you making your hotel reservations before our block was released and the hotel booked solid. These are the things adding to our stress - not our programs. I can understand how they didn't get around to it, being that we only gave them 9 months' notice. I mean, who would reserve hotel reservations in advance for their son's wedding? And as much as I appreciate FMIL wanting to do our programs and buy chocolate - we don't need those things done. We need to know if these people are coming. And did it ever cross her mind that whether or not I want hershey kisses at our wedding is the last thing on my mind right now - my father's less than a day away from open heart surgery. Stop asking me that every time you call. I'll figure it out sometime AFTER I know my dad's okay.

And despite being very friendly with my parents, they haven't even called to wish them well with the surgery.

And YES, of course the wedding stuff seems so incredibly unimportant right now... but all the little stresses are magnified x 100 right now with everything else going on.

I'm so incredibly blessed and lucky in so many ways that I almost feel guilty for being overwhelmed and sad now. So many people have far worse things to worry about than I do... but this is what's keeping me up nowadays.

I'd had my insomnia under control for years - with a few off days here and there... Now I feel like I'm never going to sleep well again...

Sorry for whining in what should be such an exciting and happy time. I do appreciate what I do have - I'm just so scared and overwhelmed now. I better get it out now b/c come tonight / tomorrow, I have to be the strong one along with my one brother. My mom will be a nervous wreck of course and my other brother and his wife are so intense and nervous. I have to be the strong, calm one (who just wants to fall apart). I can't wait for this to be over, for my dad to be better and dancing like a crazy fool at our wedding.

Please pray for my dad.
Marly Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Everything will work out as it should, my prayers are with you and your family....
hmv12 Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Hang in there...I hope everything works out
dgirl0114 Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Your entire family will be in my prayers!! I know it's hard to do because he is your Dad but have faith. And although you want to be strong for the rest of your family please don't forget to take care of yourself, too.

Keep us posted on your Dad.
Wishing you all the best!!
kahlua716 Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Aw....I'm so sorry you're stressed- but you have every right to be!!!

All I can say is Hang in There!! Things will work out- and don't worry about your weight! If you are working out- you are probably gaining muscle mass and that would explain the weight gain- I think you looked great in your jack and jill party pics!

Stay strong and try to relax! (And maybe call the doctor about a sleep aid?)
ladybugaboo Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

I am praying for you and your family as well. This makes my situation look like a big bunch of drama over nothing. God will be with you and your family.

JTsGal829 Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed


hugs and prayers for you and your family. it will work out hun. i know it's a lot to deal with but you will be ok!!!
twinkle164 Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

I am so sorry you are going through this.
Your Dad will be fine. He has my prayers.
The wedding will come together. Try focusing on one thing at a time. It will work out and it will be beautiful.
cookiemonster Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Kara, you are doing great considering how much you have on your plate right now. If you only have time to remember one thing, remember this: you never have to justify the way you are feeling to ANYONE. You have every right to be scared out of your mind and stressed beyond belief, and if I were in your shoes, even if I read 1000 successful case stories about bypass surgery, I'd be terrified. It's normal and it's OK - and you're right to focus your energy on being strong for your family until the surgery is over.

We will all keep you in our thoughts and hope that everything turns out fine with your dad. Don't worry about the wedding stuff - it all has a way of working out.

Kara and Todd Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed


Posted by cookiemonster

Kara, you are doing great considering how much you have on your plate right now. If you only have time to remember one thing, remember this: you never have to justify the way you are feeling to ANYONE. You have every right to be scared out of your mind and stressed beyond belief, and if I were in your shoes, even if I read 1000 successful case stories about bypass surgery, I'd be terrified. It's normal and it's OK - and you're right to focus your energy on being strong for your family until the surgery is over.

We will all keep you in our thoughts and hope that everything turns out fine with your dad. Don't worry about the wedding stuff - it all has a way of working out.




Thank you.
kittythestray Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Kara, I don't even know what to say!! It sounds like you just needed to get that all out. Is there anything I can do to help with your wedding?? I can't help with your dad (other than to listen!) but I could help with anything wedding related you wanted. You know I am good at DIY... LOL! Seriously, anything you want me to do, I'm just a phone call away!! Try not to let your IL’s get to you, and REALLY, REALLY try to not take it out on your FH that your ILs are being a bit insensitive.

For your Dad:


For you:
nlghttrain Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

A wedding alone is stressful enough Im so sorry that you are going through everything else. Several years ago my uncle had a tripple bipass, It *****, the recovery takes a while. I used to go over to walk his dog at night becuase if the dog pulled it could pop stitches or worse. Just keep a positive attitude, that the best you can do. Just take it a day at a time. When things like this happen my mom always tells me that it might be grim now, but in time this too shall pass. and you know what she's right. Best of luck with everything, I hope that your fatehr will be fine.

you'll make it through, just keep your chin up
Kara and Todd Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Kara - thank you. Right now, there's not much that can be done. I'm finalizing the template for the programs (almost done) and then I'll probably have all the BMs over to cut and assemble. (If that doesn't work, I'll be calling you! LOL) The place cards are already at the calligrapher's - we're doing escort cards so we were able to send them without knowing what table everyone will be at. The guardian angel pin / cards are easy. We'll probably do those and wrap favors when we do the programs...

I want to strangle my FILs - luckily they live far away. They were stressing me out before we knew anything about my dad. I don't complain to FH about them. He's upset enough with them - he doesn't need to feel like I am upset, too. They just don't 'get it.' I honestly don't think they can fathom what is going into this wedding -- and sadly, I don't think they can fathom how stressful everything with my father really is. I know they mean well, I do know that, but they're making it worse right now. As strange as it sounds, I'm grateful they usually only talk to FH when they call / he calls. They don't ask to talk to me. That's actually a blessing right now.

Yesterday, we met with the RH to pick the menu and cake and finalize everything. Thank god I had written down the majority of my choices before we left. When it came down to picking a cake design, I couldn't make a decision. I wound up picking something - I'll probably forget what it is before the wedding and it'll be a total surprise.

I need to call the church back today to try to get in touch with the music director... but I'm not in the mood to deal with their idiocy right now. Thankfully, the guy I'm working for now told me to work from home today. I told him that wasn't necessary on Friday and he assured me I'd be taking him up on it come Sunday. He was right. He's a good guy. Gotta love working remotely...

I'll get through it and be back to my happy, no-nonsense self soon enough. Today's just a bad day.
ant n tilde Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

i just want to give you some prayers for your dad

and hugs for you

everything will work out and we are all here for you - please keep us updated
tinadansr Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

hope your dad is ok.

amyandbill Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Sending you
Colette Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

So sorry, - it sounds pretty understandable that you're overwhelmed right now...

My only suggestion - if the insomnia is really taking a toll on you (and it sounds like it is) perhaps your doctor can prescribe Ambien for a week or two?
THat stuff is FANTASTIC i took it for a week about 2 years ago, and haven't needed it since but it REALLY HELPED me for that period.
Its very effective and I never had that 'hung over' feeling...

Best of luck and we are all praying for your dad and your whole family...
LB and DC Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

ok, first of all it's not 'whining,' it's venting, and THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR!!!!

you have every right to be stressed and worried right now - i would be worried if you weren't!

not to advocate drugs or anything but when i have an especially hard night i take a couple of tylenol PM and they seem to do the job. just so you can get a good night's sleep - not to use all the time!

i know that when your dad is in recovery and everything has gone smoothly - which it will - a lot of the stress you are experiencing will be lifted and you can concentrate on the more important things, like what color hershey's kisses to have at your wedding i am sorry but your FMIL sounds a little nutty to me.

see if you can get FH to pick up the phone to get the last RSVP - if you tell him how much it would help keep your stress level down, i bet he will.

and TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF!! please, just sit for an hour, read a book, have a glass of wine, go for a pedicure... anything to keep your sanity. as the wedding gets closer you will be glad you did. recruit FH to answer the phone, shut your door, and ignore the outside world.

i know that you know everything will work itself out... but just know that IT'S OK to come here and vent and let your feelings out - don't ever feel bad about that!!!


and for your dad

ETA: spelling
Kara and Todd Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

I've dealt with insomnia since I was about 14. I've talked to many doctors and tried many things. The scripts don't work for me very well. I guess I have funky body chemistry or something. I even need more anesthesia than most people when I have surgery / procedures done. (And yes, I learned that the hard way by waking up during oral surgery! -- ) -- though apparently the two are unrelated!

It will go away, I know. It's just one of the reasons I'm more emotional than usual right now.

But I appreciate all the suggestions.

This, too, shall pass... I just wish it would HURRY UP!

And a pedicure sounds lovely...

For now, I should get some work done...
HelenZ Posted:

Re: officially overwhelmed

Kara you are really doing GREAT considering how much you have going on right now! don't even feel bad for having a little anxiety/sadness right now, that's totally natural with 20 something days to go for ANY bride let alone one whose dad is having surgery!! your dad will definitely be in my prayers!!! and your FIL's seriously need to shape up over there! what's their problem? You've done sooooo much and all in less than a year's time.....they couldn't handle the simplest of tasks given all that time, or even now at least just make that phone call for the delinquent RSVPer? good luck with them Kara! you are such a strong person, I have such admiration for you! just remember you don't have to be strong for everyone else too, it's ok to break down once in a while! I've always had a hard time with this too, I'm usually the 'strong' one between my mom & sis. God bless you & your family!! everything will be fine! and then hopefully you can get some sleep

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