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Jolenje - My Story

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    Jolenje - My Story

    My story is as follows; (I'll try and keep it short...)
    My mum had been gang raped at 15 (one of the men was her own cousin...) so she had a horror start to adulthood...
    She married my dad naively...and knowing that he had had a relationship with two of her sisters, one who had tried to slit her own wrists due to distress...
    Together they had 4 kids, the first Halden (RIP), then me, a year and a half later, then a brother two years after me, then another brother 10 years after the latter...My dad never wanted a daughter and once said "I (meaning me) should have been smothered at birth"...
    Dad was an abusive father, emotionally/physically violent to mum and us kids, plus tried to sexually abuse me at 14, so hence I left home at 15, and was forced to move far away from my family, to another state, working a hard job in far outback country, I have only been back since to visit...that was 20 years ago...
    Mum was in her own way angry, depressed, and at one stage a closet drinker...though she would never admit it, and though she tried hard, sometimes she took it out on us...or generally just plain neglected us...
    I've had a few boyfriends over that time:
    My first I met at 16, and moved back to his home town, we got on so well for so long, we seemed to be joined at the hip, but eventually we took each other for granted, that the other would always be there, he was a drinker, every night he had to have BEER...and I never appreciated that...(funny how things turn out) He eventually cheated on me one night on one of his drunken trips to the pub (he used to drink drive all the time, wreck cars, it was scary for me, I was so innocent at the time...) I tried to forgive his cheating as he swore it was me he loved, I did believe him though my heart never really recovered from that unfaithfullness... One day I just decided I couldn't do it any more, and I lpacked up my stuff and left... After 8 years it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do...I moved to a town close where I could get work and knew lots of people. I ended up dating the son of my employer, (as it turned out he had a drug problem (I was naive and had never really been exposed to drugs...) and for 4 years he emotionally abused me, manipulated me, became violent and eventually cheated on me, he led me to believe I was so worthless...I started drinking in moderation during the time of that break-up, approx. 6 years ago, due to severe loneliness and lack of a support base (my family are 700kms away,excuses I know)...I went through a stage of severe loneliness, drinking every night, partying on weekends, bringing home stray men (that has a name...?)
    4 years ago, at my absolute lowest, (at the local bar...) I managed to meet the most beautiful man...now my partner ever since that night...
    Even though we are in a great relationship, I guess the loneliness is a big factor for me...The last 4 years my drinking has gotten worse, I have tried to hide it, and though I did successfully stop completely whilst I was pregnant with our first child, and was careful throughout breastfeeding.
    Recently, I had been going great, only drinking designated nights, and cutting right back to only a couple of drinks when I did.
    Unfortunately my brother committed suicide 4 weeks ago, and the wheels have completely fallen off... How does one family who have dealt with so much, deal with this most devastating blow...? There just aren't any answers and a multitude of questions...
    He was the oldest sibling, the supposed "tough" one, the one we all "relied" upon, there aren't enough words to sum up how we feel...
    After my brothers suicide, I used it (Alcohol) to "knock myself out" for the first 2 weeks, as I just couldn't fall asleep for the questions and visions... I am trying to cut back, but the thought of not having any terrifies me...and it terrifies me that I've become so dependent...
    I have started seeing a counsellor for my grief, hopefully she can help, and have been referred to a psychologist, but am on a massive waiting list due to our remote region...
    The last 2 weeks I have been trying hard to cut back, and have even managed some AF nights, which is a real positive for me, I have started exercising again, and drinking herbal detox, green, and calming teas...
    My partner and I are wanting to start trying for baby number two soon, so I am trying hard to focus on things that are beneficial to health, though at times it is so hard... to quit old habits...
    Red Red Wine...My Love/Hate Relationship...

    #2
    Jolenje - My Story

    (((Jolenje)))
    I am so pleased you found us.
    Thank you for sharing your story with us - it was heartbreaking to read but with commitment and determination it can have a happy and sober ending.
    "The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it"

    Comment


      #3
      Jolenje - My Story

      Jolenje,

      I am so sorry about your abuse and about your brother's suicide. Several people on this website have also been touched personally by suicide. Please know you are not alone. Glad you are getting some therapy. Are you in a suicide support group? I hear they can be really helpful.

      Welcome to the site and I wish you all the best.

      Please keep posting -

      lucky

      P.S. Glad you have a good man in your life now!

      Comment


        #4
        Jolenje - My Story

        luCKy;621491 wrote: Jolenje,

        I am so sorry about your abuse and about your brother's suicide. Several people on this website have also been touched personally by suicide. Please know you are not alone.
        P.S. Glad you have a good man in your life now!
        LuCKy,
        Thanks for your reply...
        I am glad for your words, and I am hopeful that one day, soon, someone will hear my/my brothers(RIP) story and want to chat... And yes, I too am so thankful for my lovely man, he is the calm in my life...(along with our beautiful 9 mo daughter, who is the most blessed little angel, just so placid and peaceful)...I wonder what I did to deserve them both ...
        Thankyou...
        (Hugs)
        Red Red Wine...My Love/Hate Relationship...

        Comment


          #5
          Jolenje - My Story

          Welcome Jolenje,
          What a tough life you have had! I can't begin to imagine but you have come to the right place and you DO deserve your lovely man! Don't ever lose sight of that....We're here to offer any help we can give to help you down your AF path. So sorry about your brother....I send my sincere sympathies.
          Kriger
          "People usually fail when they are on the verge of success. So give as much care to the end as to the beginning." Lao-Tzu

          Comment


            #6
            Jolenje - My Story

            Hi Jolenge,
            I'm new here to. I have a feeling we come from the same country ? I haven't been brave enough to post my story yet. I keep starting, but it's so bloody confronting. Also it's so hard to put it into a nutshell!
            I really sympathise with your story. I'm not in a remote location, but I know a lot of people who are. It's hard to get the services you need isn't it? This is one BIG bastard of a place !
            I'm glad for you that you have a supportive partner. At least you have SOME security in your life.
            Anyway,all power to you,and good luck (or whatever it takes) re building your life.
            Just think of your kid(s)....they're worth it.
            Bridget.
            If your 8 year old self met you, would they be proud?
            Rejoined life 20/5/19

            Comment


              #7
              Jolenje - My Story

              Welcome Jolenge and for having the courage to share your story. I am proud of you for seeing that you need to make a change in your life even with all the stress that you have had and have now. There will be people that do come along that have had the same experiences you have had in regards to the abuse and suicide and there a thousands of us that can help you with your fight to win over alcohol. Stick around and again welcome.
              "Keep your eyes and heart focused on the end goal at all times, and never settle for less."

              Comment


                #8
                Jolenje - My Story

                Hello Jolenge,
                Thank you so much for sharing what sounds like a very painful story. I believe there is much healing in sharing your story and facing the pain although it is not fun at the time.

                I am one of the ones here that Lucky was referring to that has also been touched by suicide recently in my immediate family. I understand the pain that goes along with all of the questions and especially battling the images in your mind. I also lost myself for about three weeks after the suicide back into heavy drinking to numb the pain. This was in January and I am doing sooooo much better now, so I hope that will encourage you. And time heals.

                I am so very sorry for all that you have endured, but am happy to hear that you have a wonderful partner now who seems to be treating you with the love and dignity your deserve. I am also sorry that your father made you feel so worthless -- I cannot imagine how that must have made you feel, but just remember that our past to not have to determine what we make of our future and I hope that you will find all the help, strength and encouragement you need to break free from all of the pain and the clutches of alcohol too.

                All my best -- feel free to send me a PM if you want/ need anyone to talk too in dealing with your brother's suicide as I can certainly relate to that kind of pain.

                P4T
                If you do not live the life you believe, you will believe the life you live.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Jolenje - My Story

                  Thanks everyone who has responded... it makes my aloneness, less...if that makes sense...
                  Recently I have learnt (went to a Grief Councellor)...that i have suffered grief many times in my life...
                  Grief that my father tried to abuse me sexually...but had many times abused me physically, often with severe bruising that my mother tried to disguise from visitors...
                  Grief that my parents divorced as a result...and consequently our home "was broken"...
                  Grief that I had to leave home for my own safety at 15 yo for this reason...dad was very violent towards me once he found out I had "told" mum of his attempted sexual abuse...
                  Grief that in my adulthood that my first relationship (8 years) broke up (alcoholism, infidelity, on his part... anger and mistrust on my part...)
                  Grief that I was manipulated, emotionally abused, cheated on and the beginnings of physical abuse began in my next relationship (4 yrs)...
                  Thank freak that I have found a very understanding partner,at times I can't understand how we came to be together...we are SOO different, as far as life circumstances go. He has been given everything beautiful, everything I have been denied...
                  Now, grief that my poor brother chose "this" way...(suicide)
                  Grief that our father is still making us miserable, disrespecting our (RIP) brother)...being $ hungry, shallow and nasty...
                  None of us (siblings, mum) have had it "easy"...
                  I am so "disillusioned"...
                  If (my RIP brother)he chose to give up, of all people,what do we (our family) tell ourselves to hold on?...
                  At times like these I really question things, if there's a God, where the hell has he been all this long, and what did we do wrong?
                  Sorry if this seems like ranting...I wish I could scream to the heavens...
                  Alas, you all have to hear my rant...Sorry!
                  Red Red Wine...My Love/Hate Relationship...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Jolenje - My Story

                    ((((Jolene))))

                    I am looking forward to getting to know you. You are a survivor and as one myself I know what guts it takes to do so. I also understand wanting to committ suicide because I, myself did so several times in my late teens and early twenties.

                    Be proud of yourself. You left home and survived at a very young age. You met and are loved by an amazing man who sees the strength and courage in you and loves you for it, you gave your baby a healthy start even though you haven't learned to love yourself you do love your baby.

                    You are reaching out for help both personally and medically and that takes guts. Every wanna talk I can tell you my story. We have some things in common.:l

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Jolenje - My Story

                      Hello and Welcome Jo

                      Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are a survivor and that takes a very strong person. I am very sorry about the path that your brother chose. I cannot even imagine your pain. I am also a survivor of emotional and physical abuse from Alcoholic father and a few BF's over the years. It really does serious long term damage. They say that "Living well is the best Revenge". Whoever "They" are.lol. I am glad that you are here. Let us know how we can be of help to you.
                      "Decide-Which Voice in Your Head you Can Keep Alive" (Shinedown)

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Jolenje - My Story

                        Welcome and hello.

                        I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you find some support here. Be thankful for the things you are blessed with now. We can't take back the past, but we can sure look toward the future.

                        God bless you.

                        Mich
                        :beach: "You can't go uphill thinking downhill thoughts"
                        AF since 10/11/2008

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Jolenje - My Story

                          Jolene. You are a STONG and beautiful woman and Mom. Your story brought tears to my eyes (literally tears). I am soo sorry for all that you have been through. The tragic events in your life does NOT have to repeat into yours, and your partners, and your beautiful children. Do the things necessary to change your life for your happiness, and the ones you love. Thats great you are seeing a counceler and I hope she/he is a good one. If you do not get the help you feel you need, then find another one. Have you ever considered going to a good church? Jesus loves you too.

                          Your parents abused you, and they were wrong. Im sure they have had their own path of Hell to walk. Your Dad was wrong to say what he did. You have a grand purpose in this life, and your partner, and your children love and depend on you.
                          I LOVE MY SEROTONIN AND BOOZE SCREWS IT UP!!!!!

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Jolenje - My Story

                            Jolenge, I just read your post tonight. I hope you are feeling a little better now as some days have passed.
                            Suicide is so difficult for the people who are left behind in this world but I really respect the person who feels the decision to end their life and respect their reasons for doing so. I try to understand it is for them and of them, and really is not a personal affront.

                            I know this sounds unrealistic, but as a woman who has suicidal tendencies, I only hope for the same respect to be offered to me.

                            I am not saying I am anywhere near the point of ending my life, I just try to put myself in the place of the person, in your case, your dear brother, with sincere understanding.:heart::heart::heart:to you, and hopes for a better day ahead.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Jolenje - My Story

                              Jo. I am at a loss for words at the trauma you have been through. It sounds like you are getting counceling (which is great). You should be proud of yourself for overcoming so many negative things in life. I think once you get through this drinking thing..you will become such a great inspiration to others. I know that i am inspired a little more today hearing how you keep moving forward inspite of what you have been through:welcome:

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