Sad News
The past few days I've been happy so I haven't written here. If you don't hear from me on this blog, you can assume I'm happy or fine, as people say. Today I haven't felt anxious or depressed but just blah, like a day where I drag a bit. I had bad news that one of my patients died in an accident (not suicide but an impulsive act). Of course, I can't go into details due to confidentiality. I spoke to his mom tonight and cried afterwards. I've known this family for years and plan to go to the funeral. It's quite heartbreaking. Seeing newspaper acticles, pictures, and stories about this special and talented young man has been tough. I feel shocked by it. It's very sad. I don't feel depressed, just understandably sad. It's strange to have normal life go on around something so devestating. Folks at work are very supportive but it is an atmosphere that is busy and professional, so the depth of feeling such an event triggers for the therapist gets swept up in the passing of the work day. I suppose the news of my patient's death makes me feel somewhat numb. It's overwhelming and unacknowledged, the way the deaths of patients probably often are for the hosptial worker.
posted by Jayla @ Thursday, September 16, 2004
1 Comments:
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I'm very glad to hear you're going to attend the funeral. I've only attended one patient's funeral and was very glad that I went. I'd also known that patient much longer than most of the patients I've worked with who've died. I hope sitting with your emotions during the funeral helps you to come to some closure. I think if a death of a client or patient is particularly upsetting to even one co-worker, there should be some acknowledgement of that, but that so rarely occurs. You know you can call me if you want to talk more about how you're feeling, right? :-) [big hug]
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