Holiday Blues

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Hi Nurses.

Anyone else having a rough time this holiday season? My grandfather died on Thanksgiving and then we had to put the cat down a few days later. This year I work all the holidays and facing them at work just kind of seems daunting. I'm (spoiled) used to having a nice long break off of college and this year I won't be near my family and will be working full time.

I got to see my family this weekend and went home today and am sitting here in tears..quite lonely. I will be able to go home for 2-3 days before Christmas, which will be nice. Any strategies for coping? I know work will be busy enough that most of the time I won't have time to dwell on things.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

lost our beloved standard poodle to cancer in august.

sister-in-law died of cancer in september (in the aftermath of hurricane gustav -- couldn't even have a funeral as new orleans was in disarray.)

oldest friend died (of cancer) in october.

another friend died of cancer in november, then the puppy we were supposed to get died. (the whole litter died.)

s/d refuses to come to our house for any part of christmas.

i have no christmas spirit this year!

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

:cry::tree:

Hugs to you both

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm sorry Sonja and Ruby. This has been a tough year for both of you to reflect on :(. I hope next year is better and that you are able to make it through the holidays with some peace and comfort.

Hiker

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

sonja & ruby...the three of us are kindred spirits this season.

2008 is a year i will be more than happy to kiss goodbye!

~ some family friends lost their infant grandson to a genetic neuro disorder (their only grandchild...)

~ several of my favorite aids patients died (thankfully, most of them were in hospice care at the time).

~ my best friend's succumbed to stage iv lung ca...the worst part? he was too ill to attend his son's wedding and died while his son and new daughter in law were on their honeymoon. (my bff and i were left with the task of picking them up at the airport/telling them the news).

~ my first cat passed away at seventeen last month (i was given her in first grade!)

~ my paternal grandmother left this world last week after having alzheimer's for more than a decade (and i was supposed to visit her for the first time in years later that week).

my love and prayers are with y'all.

here's to an awesome 2009!!!

*~jess~*

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Hey guys my prayers go out to you :redpinkhe. IT sounds like you have had some rough times. I don't know what else to say, but that we are all thinking of you here. Much love to all of you!! :redbeathe

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Some things that have helped me to cope during the holidays:

1. One year, dh and I delivered meals to shut-ins - very nice and much appreciated.

2. One year, I volunteered to work Xmas eve and Day so that a co-worker with four young children (one of whom had cancer) would be able to stay home. To this day, (years later) she still says thank you.

3. Realizing that even though I might think I have it rough, I still have much to be thankful for: both dh and I have good jobs, we are healthy, we have each other, a roof over our heads, food in the pantry and we love each other. This is a lot to be thankful for.

4. I try to make amends to those that I might have offended throughout the years. Again...this is an attempt to not make the holidays about me. Somehow, when I apologize or engage others, it makes me feel a little more peace too.

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Here are hugs to all of you who've had rough times lately: :icon_hug:

I don't have anything "magic" to say to any of you, but know that I empathize (I've had some pretty rough personal issues over the last several years) and understand the overwhelmingly sad, "it's never going to get better" feelings. The only real advice I can give you is to allow yourself anytime that you need to be sad (even if it is just a long cry in the shower after work) and do what YOU need to do to be as content as possible this holiday...even if it seems strange to others around you.

Hope everyone has a good holiday.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

I remember the emotionally rough years. I would volunteer to work . It took my mind off my troubles. So many of our patients back then had no one. We cheered each other up.

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Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.

Christmas is always hard for me. My grandma passed away Christmas Eve it's been 8 years ago but it is still hard. I always get sad around this time of year thinking about her and missing her sooo much. Her bday was Dec 22 and mine is Des 23rd so we always celebrated together. It just doesn't seem to get any easier as the time passes.

This is also the first Christmas I'll be working since becoming a nurse but I'm just thankful that I'll get to spend part of the a.m. with my hubby & kids.

Things could be a lot worse so I try to stay positive and thankful for all that I do have. I also know that even if I can't spend the Holiday's w/ my immediate family that they are still thinking of me and are loving me from a distance.

Wishing you all a better upcoming year.

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