What is life? What is my life and where will it go? I’ve been up and down so much the past few days. Nothing is real anymore. I’m not even sure how to define real. People say this world is real. They say this is what it is. This is reality. But reality is formed by so much with each of us, with our own personal upbringings, our parents beliefs or views do influence us no matter what we think. We have to realise ho much it influences us before we can move forwards in life. I’m an orffan at age 40. Not too young luckily. Not a child in infancy but it’s still affected me drastically and will only affect me even more. I thought it bad when my mum died when I was 33 because I had so many unanswered questions. Well I’ve now lost another chance of asking a parent some questions too. I have to grow up now. I have to really figure out who I am or I’m lost forever. I am now the head of my family fully. I have to do what’s truely right for my family and can’t ask a parent for advice still. Be it all on my head now. What and who am I though? That’s a head fuck. It’s questions like that that most never ask themselves. They just plod along through life repeating their lives and their parents lives. I’m different to most. I do question myself fully and often. The biggest fear with it though is the madness it can bring and has brought to me in the past. I don’t have all the answers and I’m happy to admit that too. I’ll offer advice or help when asked too. I’m not too proud to admit I’m wrong anymore or that I’m infallible. I’m human. I once thought I was more. Maybe I still am more and this is all part of that realisation. One huge realisation I’ve had this week is how I still crave things in life, crave change. I know my wife craves it too but she has fears. She is probably fearful that I’m off on another mad jaunt, another mad breakdown. The funny thing about a breakdown is that after its happened you are different but the same. It changes you. It can, if you deal with it well, make you see things clearer and help you become a stronger better person. Strength isn’t always about being u breakable either. I now see strength as admitting that I am breakable and am willing to push to and past those limits.
This last week I’ve feared so much and yet broke through so many barriers too. I wish I didn’t have to go through all that I am going through but deep down I know however old my dad lived too he would always die. I’ve had the darkness creep upon me during the dy with its big black cloak of pain and misery and yet I’ve found comfort too in it. I’m no longer afraid of emotion, at least not for now. I do however still fear a huge breakdown in the future too like I had a few years after my mum died. If it happens it happens and maybe I’ll be more aware that it’s starting. Maybe I won’t but whatever happens will happen.
I have realised that I do crave a life of being off grid. That life doesn’t have to mean being a hermit. As much as I’d like that right now it doesn’t have to be that way. I still want sanctuary. I still want to have a retreat that others can come and stay at and maybe both will combine. I see a bigger picture now. A much bigger picture. I also see it’s all about making those small steps to get there. I don’t need to run at it. I can walk gently and meet it in the middle. I don’t need to hunt it down and drag it back screaming and kicking by the hair and balls. No. It will come. And I will walk to meet it.
I’m just realising that a fear of mine could be happening but I’m so unsure as things are muddled at the minute. Some friends called around this evening and it was lovely to see them but it’s raised a fear for me. That fear is that I’m becoming delusional. I’ve noticed a few things. Several people keep telling me it’s ok to grieve and not to hold it in but I’m feeling quite ok. Almost good actually. Maybe my coping mechanism is sending me a bit high. Kind of on shut down on a grief level. I’m so unsure. I’ve realised I’ve posted on Facebook but I’m not realising all that I am posting or saying. It’s a bit of a huge merry go round. So strange. I feel like I should allow myself to let go but I cant. I’m becoming slightly tightly wound. I don’t know. I’m unsure about it. I’m writing this so I can keep it logged. Fuck knows. I’m a bit lost. Maybe more than a bit. I’m constantly tired too which is a head fuck. So unsure of things. I guess I’m wearing the mask again. I guess I feel like I’m just acting out my life.
It’s Tuesday evening. I’m not sure if I posted yesterday or not. Anyway I spent most of yesterday in bed or on the sofa. I had a few glasses of wine last night. I had a bottle the night before. Things are getting a little easier now. I’m still up and down a lot. the pain is easing though. Last night at the dinner table we laughed about a few funny stories to do with my dad. He was funny at times. Most people have very fond memories of him too. It’s funny how thoughts can hurt so much. How they can twist in our minds and tear into us. I’ve done that so much the lest few days. Today however I feel a bit better. I know I did what I could for my dad in his last few days. I think at times I could of done more but people always think that. He died with two nurses at his side. I wish I could of been there but they had told him I was on my way. Maybe he didn’t want me there so slipped away before I got there.
One thing that’s sprung up in my mind once again is about what happens after death. Is there life after death? Over the last countless years I’ve read and studied these things. Ive read about the Bardo states from Tibetan Buddhism and they do resonate with me. Death is maybe just another step along the journey of consciousness. When I got to the hospital I went in to see him as he lay there. I went up and quietly said to him that he is free now and will have no more pain. Then I kissed his forehead gently. I know he had already died but I’m aware from what I’ve read that the soul can be attached to the body for a few days after death and I wanted his soul to realise it could go and be free. To leave and go where needed.
I have just been out in my van for the first time since early Sunday morning. I’ve been at home since then. I went over to his house to get some paperwork that’s needed and to turn some things off. I feared it would be really painful but in a way it was good to go and do it. I wasn’t there too long, just long enough to do what was needed. One of his friends popped in to see me too which I had feared but was actually nice. Life goes on and it’s amazing how we find strength when needed to do these things. Life is precious, all life.
I’m feelibg broken today. Last night my dad died. I’ve been in denial all week about how unwell he was. I’ve craved an alternative cure. I’ve been delusional. Reality sucks right now. I fear going way out there and breaking down. So many people have touched me with their kind words today and each time it’s brought me to tears. My eyes are welling up just writing this. Life is too short and cruel at times. Hindsight is a beautiful thing. I’m so so pleased a friend of my dads came to see me last Sunday to tell me how u well my dad was. If he hadn’t id be in more of a state than I am now. I feel glad that I’ve been there for him in his last few days and hours. At the hospital I’ve held his hand, wiped his brow, helped feed him and move him. Before hospital I’ve been able to help him when he was being sick and help wash him before his hospital appointment. I wish I could of taken his pain from him. I’m angry at his doctor who told me on Monday to call anytime I needed to because he didn’t return the calls. On Thursday morning I phoned for the third day running and got arsey. 10 minutes later another doctor phoned me back and within an hour a doctor was out to see him. The nurse who was working the day shift on Thursday and Friday was an absolute star. Absolutely faultless.
I can’t remember if I wrote yesterday or not. I don’t think I did. So I’ll write about yesterday. I was called by the hospital at 2:30am yesterday to tell me my dad had deteriorated and to update me. I was called again at 4:30am and told things were getting a bit worse and to get there asap…cue rushing up there after very quickly eating and expecting the worst. I was there until about 9:15am then came home to get some food and sleep. I went back up there again late afternoon and stayed until almost 7pm and left dad with some friends of his who called to visit him. I expected a call in the night and was very well prepared for it…clothes ready to put straight on and the van ready to get in and go. I even had the van facing the direction I would need to leave in. I didn’t get the call and in a way I was relieved but also worried too. I phoned the hospital twice this morning and have been to visit him. I’m home again now and I fear getting the call tonight to get there asap but I do think I might have to. My head is spinning. Everyone around me are being fantastic and my aunt has offered to help in any way she can including coming up there any time of the day or night. I’m mentally broken at times but strong at others. Mostly I’m bordering on either far too much optimism or tears and sadness at it all. I feel angry with myself for falling out with him for so long. I’m just so glad that I went to visit him last Sunday and that we could move on from there. I could see the fear in his eyes back then over being unwell. Life can be so cruel at times. And often I feel it’s cruel to me. I’m trying to relax but I really can’t and I’m like a tightly coiled spring. A few things have pissed me off and made me angry but I guess that’s to be expected. Mostly I feeel like I’m on auto pilot. I think I’ve been a bit delusional at times this past week. It’s so hard to be strong but I don’t have a choice.
I slept well last night. I feel a little refreshed. We had the appointment with the child psychologist yesterday and I slept on the way up there and on the way back. Luckily I wasn’t driving! Things went well and the appointment should of been 1-1 1/2 hours long. It’s was nearly 2 1/2 hours long in the end. Once home I ate a quick lunch and dashed off to do some work, which I really didn’t feel like doing. Then after work I called in on my dad but he was sleeping so I left him. I spoke with his neighbours and they thought he seemed little worse. I went back an hour and a half later and he was awake. I spent about 2 hours there and he perched up a little. I also managed to get him to drink some meal replacement stuff. It’s not as good as a meal but it’s better than nothing. I’m feeling more positive although very well aware that he is very very seriously ill. I feel like we kind of reached some kind of understanding, kind of allowed past issues to be put to the away for now. He’s struggling and very afraid. He has got it into his head that he has cancer, which he does, and it seems like he’s given up already. I tried to talk with him openly and explained twice what the doctor had said to me. There is a very very tiny chance that they might look to operate, they very probably won’t but there is a slim chance they might.
Anyway I’m slightly fearful of going high or being too overly optimistic because if and when things go wrong and downhill I know afterwards I will crash. I fear that crash. I also fear breaking down because last time I lost the plot and I don’t know how u didn’t end up hospitalised. I guess I just believed all what my mind was telling me. I’m not even sure what I feel at the minute. It’s like my super powers have taken over and I’m just functioning as myself just enough to get by. At times I’m feeling like a stuck record repeating the same things to countless people. Oh well. I will cope. I have to. I have no other choice. It feels like these things are some kind of test that I have to go through. That they are testing me to see if I pass or how strong I am before I break again. I certainly felt broken on Sunday and Monday. I’m just pleased that I slept ok last night! It’s amazing what a brain or mind can cope with when it has to. I’m hardly posting anything on Facebook at the minute. I’m avoiding it. I am reading others posts and thinking ‘oh for fuck sake! You think you’ve got problems?’ It’s cruel thinking like that because I know how others feel but it’s like my inner strength kicked in super high again and I’m becoming immortal or invincible…and I really fear those feelings. I’m not sure if I’m level, high, mixed or if I’m delusional. Probably a bit of all of them along with depressed at times. The last few days from Sunday until last night I’ve certainly felt depressed and barely inside myself. I’ve felt like a walking shell. What is a fear is that after seeing dad perk up a bit and myself getting a good nights sleep I’m feeling so super human. Am I actually becoming super human. I’ve felt it before. My focus is becoming super focus. My senses seem to be acutely tuned. I can only go with it. I can’t di anything else but go with it. Maybe it is true. Maybe I do have some powers. I’ve healed people in the past of things. I’ve taken pain from dying people. Maybe that’s what I need to do now. I need to be super strong. If I break later then so be it. Wha choice do I have? I can not be weak. I have so many people that I have to be strong for, so many people that rely on me. I have to be strong. I have to be stronger than everyone else.
It Tuesday again already and things go faster. I didn’t sleep so badly last night, it was disturbed but I feel rested this morning. I didnt get to sleep straight away but that’s ok. I woke at 4 this morning and tossed and turned for a good while before drifting off back to sleep. I then woke at 6:35 and got up. My head hurts. I feel a physical pain behind my right eye. My head is still spinning too. I feel a bit hopeless about everything but I think some inner strength is returning. I’ve been looking more seriously into cancer cures, both alternative and standard. Until more is known it’s hard to figure out what’s what. I’ve read amazing things about Rick Sipmpson oil orPhoenixTears as its sometimes called. It’s a tough one as I don’t want to give up or think all is lost but I don’t want to get delusional and believe in false hope.
This morning we have an appointment with a child psychologist with my son. I’ve hardly had time to think about any of it the last few days. I’m hoping it’s going to be a positive meeting and we can start to get some things sorted as although it’s in the back of my mind it is still another worry. I’ve realised that I seem to worry far more than I ever did only a few years ago. And so the merry ride continues. Dancing pegs and all.
Work has gone up a gear. I had kind of thought it would and whenever there’s some kind of crisis it seems to do it all the more. In really really need to be careful and keep an eye on it all because it feels like I’m loosing it again. I’m really fearful of that. Reality is becoming very blurred…. Endless Risset rhthymns in my head.
It’s been a tough day today. I didn’t sleep very well last night and I am almost dead certain that I won’t sleep well tonight. My head is spinning. Really spinning. My appetite is down too. I’ve drank plenty of fluids and I know there are some really tough times coming. I’m not sure how I’ll handle everything but I’ve got no choice. Life just got shitty. It’s just gotten very real and nasty.
The doctor came out to see my dad today and at first things didn’t seem too bad. The chest X-ray came back as clear and he said he would phone up when he had the results of the Ultra Sound. That’s when things got really shitty. My dad has tumours on his liver. Secondary tumours. The doctor can’t be certain but it has possibly spread from primary bowel cancer although bowel cancer didn’t seem to show up on the Ultra sound. He has now put dad on the list to be seen by specialists in two weeks or less. If he deteriorates he will get him admitted to hospital straight away too. I feel seriously dazed and confused. I feel all of the emotions possible all at once. I keep welling up with tears. I don’t know what to do or what to say or think either. I do know I need to straighten myself up properly and make some calls to a few people. I started earlier. It’s not easy. I’m also looking at alternative methods of cancer cure like bicarbonate of soda and also Rick SImpson oil. It might well be too late for this though. The doctor described it as an aggressive cancer. Possibly very aggressive were the words he used. It is what it is.
I feel quite out of it. I’m kind of outside myself. I had to put on a big mask today at work or I’d of broken down. I fear all that I have to face up to as well because I need to be strong but I fear breaking down too. Not just breaking down in tears but a mental breakdown. Maybe being so aware of it will help me to deal with it. I feel like I’m going high already and I know the lack of sleep will get worse and that’s only a bad thing because sleep keeps me level mostly.
Tomorrow we have an appointment with A child psychologist with my son. Another thing in the back of my mind. I don’t feel I can write down exactly how I feel even though I know how I feel. Maybe I should. I guess I feel punished. I always feel punished. That’s the story of my life.
It’s Monday morning and it’s 6:18. I’m up and about. I’ve been awake on and off since probably 4 am. I have dozed a little and my son got up at 5:30. I’m anxious yet again. Anxious about lots of things now and I’ve been very worried about my dad all night. Each time I woke up I wondered if he’s mnaged to sleep. He’s wasting away. I just hope that they can work out what’s wrong. It’s possibly bowel cancer, Chrones disease or Colitus. My brain is more fried than it was when I blogged last night. I know I’ll wake up more fully later this morning when I start work. I’m already thinking I might have coffee this morning to get some energy moving. The big worry is it can send me off on one. I think I’m already headed that way though and it can balance me out too. I’m shaky this morning both physically and mentally. I’ve already skimmed back through what I’m writing correcting my mistakes. Maybe I’ll just leave any from here on in. I’ve got so much bouncing through my head and it’s tearing into me. I’m struggling to see because tears are welling up in my eyes. I’m hyper emotional too. I feel punished yet again and I hate self pity. Yet I feel like I am rolling in a huge pile of self pity. What if he dies soon? Even if he doesn’t he will die one day. How will it affect me? I’m so sure it’ll tip me over the edge and I really fear it. I know I’m already not handing it. The mask is getting out on even firmer than usual today, as it did when my mum was seriously ill. This is one of those times I wish I could phone her and talk to her. Fuck. Fuck it all. Life is so fucking cruel at times. Fuck it. It cruel watching someone waste away in front of you. I’ll not get into religion either! So today the doctor should come out to see my dad and he should chase up the results of the X-ray and ultra sound scan. He or she better bloody chase it up or I’m going to start getting even more involved.
So Where am I at apart from breaking inside and once again feeling unsure about my life and if I live it well. Punishment. It’s punishment. I see it clearly. I’ve been punished all my life right from birth really. I try to be good I do indeed yet it always boils down to some kind of punishment. Maybe it’s part of the path to enlightenment. Maybe I’m just delusional once again. Im fucked if I know. Why aren’t I just a normal dumb fuck plodding stupidly through life as happy as a pig in fucking shit. Im starting to envy dumb stupid people. I really am. I think today the world can go fuck itself and fuck off. The end.
Oh I’m back again. I forgot to say my ears are ringing big time. My body feels warmer than usual. My head is starting to race again and although I’m sitting still I ahave been restless in the night and feel restless right now in my body. In fact I feel a little separate from my body. It’s like driving a car. You’re in control of it while driving but it’s not part of you. You’re the bit inside trying to traverse all the outside obstacles that come your way and you’re frantically steering one way or the other and still don’t feel in control. Plus you know, this is the shitty bit, that if you want to or need to you can stop and get out of that car for good and leave it. And so the merry go round carries on. I can hear a Risset rthymn going around in my head endlessly.
It’s been a strange weird day one of those days that has been good in some ways and can fuck right off in other ways. Stressful, emotional, angry and just plain fucking tiring. My mind is going up a get and my anger and resentment is simmering just below the surface. I was in tears this morning. Before that I was elated. I’ve been angry since. I’ve been proud. I’ve been glad and I’ve been happy too. I’ve been tired. I’ve been super hyper alert. Now I think I can rest a little. I’m not sure what tomorrow might bring but I’ll face that when I have to.
So here we go I guess… This morning I got up a little later than normal. Ate breakfast almost straight away and instead of going back to bed to snooze or read I decided to go out and do some work in the garden. While out there a friend of my dads called around to have a quiet word. He told me how very unwell my dad really is. I’ve basically not spoken to him for nearly two years. A neighbor of my dads told me a couple of weeks ago he’s not well so I emailed to check on him. He told me irritable bowel syndrome. It seems it’s possibly a lot more serious. He’s been for X-rays and an ultra sound scan late last week. He’s lost over 1 1/2 stone in the last 4-5 weeks too. So this morning I went to visit him. He really is unwell. I wasn’t shocked when I saw him. He wa glad I’d visited. I stayed a while. He asked if I’d go visit him again and I said of course I would and would phone tomorrow night and visit during the week.
Once home my wife and I talked briefly about it. Then we carried on in the garden. We loaded up some tree timings to take to the rubbish dump/recycle yard. On the way back we bought food to have in the garden with the kids. By then it was late afternoon and I then had a sneaky 25-30 minute nap and was woken by my phone ringing. I looked. It was my dads number. I answered but it rang off so I called back. His friend answered. He said that they thought he needed an ambulance and that he was refusing to let them call one. I jumped in my van and dashed over. By the time I got thee he had agreed to let them call for one. Paramedics came out and spent an hour checking things over. His vitals were ok and they thought it best not to take him to A & E as he might wait 6-8 hours only to get sent home again. The paramedics called the on-call Doctor who said that he would fax the local doctors surgery and insist that he get seen tomorrow preferably with a home visit. The doctor can then phone and get the results and if needed get him straight onto a ward rather than wait.
It’s hitting me. I’ve got anger at things simmering away. I’ve got emotion running wild and I think it’s possibly triggering me to go high again. I’ll see. I’m shattered from today. It’s hit hard. I’ll try going to bed early and calm it right down. I can sense how tense I am and I’m feeling distant from my family again. I just don’t know. I just don’t know what to think or do. It’s not easy. It’s brought home once again about my mums death. I guess I’m strong. Maybe stronger than I realise at times. I do seriously fear that if or when things go bad with my dads illness it will send me way off the rails or into another breakdown. I’m already thrown by it all…. Who knows what might happen.
I guess life’s short and at times we feel invincible or even immortal.