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Bereavement

Find bereavement help and support from other Mumsnetters. See also your choices after baby loss.

For Jonny, and all our darling departed sisters and brothers..."their diminished size is in us, not in them".

998 replies

evansmummy · 05/11/2008 16:44

I have remarked over the last few months that there are a number of us on this forum who are living through the death of our brothers and sisters. I would even go so far as to say I never even imagined there could be so many!

I have also noticed that the thread for bereaved mummies is the most amazing place of support, a great place to go and say how you feel without being judged, and knowing that others are going through something similar. And of course a place to go and get a good old MN hug.

So I wondered if those of you who have lost siblings would like to join me in making a place where we can say how we are feeling and to be here for each other, and even to gripe and moan! If you are interested, just let us know a bit about your sibling and a bit about your grief journey if you like. I'll start!

My youngest brother Jonny died a little over five months ago as a result of head injuries sustained during a hit and run accident. My family spent a week in intensive care with him in a coma before he died of heart failure on Fri 30th May 2008. Horrible, just horrible.

I feel down most of the time. But will admit to the strangest mood swings, from very depressed to almost hyper-excited. I still drink and smoke a lot, but less than right at the beginning. Suffice to say that things are not getting easier or better. Maybe even the opposite. I'm dreading Christmas, Jonny's birthday, and then the inquest and court case. I hate it all so much and wish often that it would just all go away. I still can't believe I'm writing this tuff about my own brother.

It's hard to quickly put into a short paragraph the pain and turmoil of the last five months. But I'm sure if this thread works out we'll have plenty of time to go into more detail.

Over to you...

Love Me xx

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shelleylou · 17/06/2010 22:50

'welcome' seenyertoes. Hope your well. March is veery recent as missm said.

The tough times for my famil are far from over yet. Its db's birthday next monday he would have been 23... the same age I was when he was killed. Im finding it so hard to eat or sleep atm. Weight is dropping off me some of the new clothes i'd bought in the last month or so are falling off me so havent worn them so DH doesnt notice lol. I've been very much like tht lately MissM its awful.

I can understand you being beed off that the same person didnt show you the same kindness. The only thing i can think of is she has lost a parent but couldnt comprehend how it would be to lose a sibling or doesnt have siblings. IYKWIM. Whatever the reason its not surprising it got to you.

evansmummy · 19/06/2010 00:21

I'm so sorry, all, for my absence. I haven't known what to write. I feel very selfish atm, and am completely lacking in sympathy, so have felt awful, and unable to post.

Seenyertoes, I'm really sorry to hear about your brother. You poor thing, it's all so raw for you right now, and it can feel insurmountable at times, if not always. But we are here to support you as much as you need. It has been a great place for me, and even when there are periods when one of us can't post cos it's too hard or whatever, the others always understand. That's the point of this thread really, a place of understanding from others who've lost a sibling. We're the forgotten bunch really, there's always a thought for the parents, of course there should be, but people often don't realise how hard it is also to lose a brother or sister. We are here for you.

MissM, I'd echo shelley's post. As I said to seenyertoes, loss of a sibling is misunderstood. Maybe that's why your colleague didn't respond in the same way to you. She should have though .

My 'charge' at work, G, participated in sports day yesterday. It was amazing really, considering that a year ago he was barely out of surgery for a massive brain injury. The head at my school said to me today, that she literally had tingles down her spine at watching him take part in the sack race, and what an amazing recovery he has had. I wanted to shake her (she knows about Jonny). That should be my brother! Whay wasn't he given that chance?

I keep freaking out. Similar to you MissM, I can remember vividly the days leading up to Jonny's death, the smells, emotions, images keep whirring around my mind. I feel like I'm losing it (winetime, I soooo feel your words!) Isn't it supposed to get easier as time goes on?

Shelley, those anniversaries are a bugger. I'm told that one day we'll smile through them. I can fully understand how disappointing, and painful, the inquest must have been for you and your family. It was for us too. Accidental death. There's no accident in driving to endanger other people's lives. I feel I (and maybe you?) will live with that anger and resentment forever. I keep imagining him being hurtled into the air, hitting the windscreen and thudding his skull onto the tarmac. It is driving me mad.

My son's school has a temporary speed trap outside it as it's a spot renowned for speeding. The school are lobbying for a permanent one and this is the first step. I went today to keep a tally of how many times it was set off. 38 in a half hour in a 30mph zone. I was enraged (I hope you lot never break the speed limit ). But it made me realise that even 30mph is frightening when there's a pedstrian involved. Every car that set off the trap made me imagine a body being knocked off it's feet. Mad, I tell you. Completely obsessed and losing the plot.

You see what happens: I don't post for ages then it all comes pouring out!

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shelleylou · 19/06/2010 07:53

I'm not sure i'll ever be able to smile through it in a few years my youngest db will have his birthday that will make him the same age as matt was when he was killed so some very hard ones in the next few years. We are going to go lay flowers at the scene and im going to get drunk on jack daniels and coke.
The inquest wasn't as bad as i was expecting as we didnt get shownt photos of his death or the scene just a diagram which i kept. I agree there is no accident in driving to endanger lives. It makes it so much more awkward to get a prosecution and therefore a more appropriate inquest verdict as both of the people involved in our brother's deaths left the scene. It makes me so angry that people can do that then lie about things so tey can see whats happening. I hope he always has the vision of my db sprawled on the road and the paramedics trying desprately to resuscitate him. I will live with that anger and resentment like you.

Its good that your sons school is trying to do something about the speeding. Thats a lot of times for it to go off in such a short space of time. I remember the adverts that were on the TV. 'If you hit me at 40mph theres and 80% chance i'll die...' and the one that had a man doing daily things and there would be a boys body wherever he looked. If you remember that one. It was on loads at the end of last year. They all made me cringe. The last one i mentioned is what i hope my db's killer has.

caffeineaddict · 19/06/2010 19:25

Just wanted to say hello and send warm, supportive feelings to you all. Having a snivel x

caffeineaddict · 19/06/2010 19:25

Just wanted to say hello and send warm, supportive feelings to you all. Having a snivel x

MissM · 21/06/2010 22:16

Big hug to all of you. I'm having a snivel now! Was in London today and my brother is everywhere - he is there and alive and walking about and laughing and playing his music and so very alive. I walked into Marylebone station and there were people pouring out and I found myself looking for him in the crowd and then getting angry that all those people were walking around as if the world was just the same and all our brothers and sisters aren't there. I love him and miss him so much that it's tearing me into pieces.

Looks like it's all pouring out of us at the moment!

evansmummy · 22/06/2010 19:01

Having such a crap week. Ds is in trouble at school and just had a run in from a mum at school. Long story but she screamed down the phone at me and called me self-obsessed. I feel utterly incapable of dealing with these things. The first thing I turn to is a drink.

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MissM · 22/06/2010 22:00

Oh sweetheart. What a bitch (the other mum, not you!)

caffeineaddict · 22/06/2010 22:06

Yes, I second that MissM. Hang on in there evansmum x

cyteen · 22/06/2010 22:51

evansmummy, are you concerned about your drinking?

Massive massive disclaimer: I'm only saying this because you often mention it in your posts, as if you are concerned - am honestly not judging or assuming, far from it, and am certainly in no position to anyway . But I don't want to be missing something if it's something you want us to see, iyswim.

Sympathy and fellow-feeling to everyone suffering right now. I have been afflicted with random howls lately. Think I am coming to acceptance that he is gone, even though I don't want to accept and cant' accept. My basic self is forcing me on. Sigh.

MissM · 23/06/2010 09:07

Yes EM, I've been wondering that too and wondering if you wanted us to pick up on it. Remember this is the place to raise those sort of 'I couldn't say this to anyone in RL' anxieties.

Went to my singing lesson last night and imagined my brother standing in the corner of the room as I sang. My teacher couldn't believe how well I'd sung the song. I didn't tell her that I'd sung it to him, but I had. But I wanted him to really be there, to really be hearing me. I want to make him proud in the same way that I was/am so proud of him.

evansmummy · 23/06/2010 22:09

Thanks for your messages guys. I have at last stopped shaking after being screamed at (by a GROWN WOMAN!!!!), after spending literally 24 hours thinking about nothing else. I guess she must have other stuff going on in her life that sent her over the edge. No excuse, but the whole nonsense kept me from sleeping (which is almost the end of the world for me ) so I'm trying to rise above it. There are bigger things to worry about. I'm just shocked, tbh, we've known each other for 6 years, and an aggressive outburst like this is just downright weird.

I guess really I do want someone to tell me if it's ok or not, about the drinking. My other brother seems to think it's ok as long as it doesn't continue into forever, and is only a short-term fix. Is two years short term? I know my Christian friends would really worry if I told them I need a drink to numb the pain of the fact that my brother's dead, but they get their knickers in a twist about a lot of things (that's a bit cruel, but ykwim). I do think that a lot of my worry comes from my Christian background, you know, the I'm only supposed to rely on God thing yada yada yada, but I can't be rational about things atm. What do you think? Should I be worried?

cyteen, thanks for posting again. I've missed you. That battle sounds like a hard one. But I can feel it happening to me too. It's exactly as you say, the 'humanity' in you forces you on, almost against the wishes of your emotional self. That sounds so much like a load of crap. I can't explain it, but I think I know what you mean. It's a it like this:
Tick tock...
This is one of the songs I really wanted to post to you before (I think I ended up posting I Sia tune, I chickened out). I don't know if it's wrong or right, but it's one of Jonny's favourites, so it has to be one of yours now . Sorry about the crappy quality, the best version I could find online. Google the lyrics if you want. They also do an awesome cover of The Cure's Boys Don't Cry, if you're interested.

MissM, I wish he could have been there to see you too. But for you, in your heart and mind he was, and I guess we have to learn to be contented with that. That's the acceptance past that cuteen's talking about I guess. And anyway, that's the best place he can be now, apart from really there obv, because that way you can carry him everywhere with you, share it all with him, the highs and lows, and in there, he knows how much you love him and are proud of him, without you ever needing to say it.

I had a such a cry at his fb page today. Man, it doesn't get easier, just different...

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evansmummy · 23/06/2010 22:10

OMG, so many typos. Sorry

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MissM · 23/06/2010 23:03

Well if you can talk to your other brother that's helpful. I suppose it's a problem if you need to drink in order to cope. And only you can know that. And do you drink specifically to get drunk, or just have a glass of wine at dinner time?

A few months ago DH and I did a bit of a check on ourselves cos we realised we'd slipped into the habit of drinking every night, sometimes quite a lot, and it was definitely having an effect on us the next day. We'd convinced ourselves that we needed it. So we decided to limit drinking to Fridays and weekends only and I've definitely found I'm more with it.

On the other hand I'm on AD, and they dull the pain and the reality and help me keep my chin above water. So who am I to preach about whatever gets you through?

Your experience with that woman sounds absolutely horrendous. Very gracious of you to think of her in such a charitable way. But you're right - she probably does have something messed up going on and is probably feeling dreadful about screaming at you. Not nice for you though, not nice at all. Lots of hugs from me coming your way.

Don't you just feel sometimes that bloody humanity didn't drive you on, that you could just curl up in a ball and stop carrying on? I feel like that so often.

evansmummy · 24/06/2010 21:52

I guess I don't need to drink. I have cut back to Fri and Sat nights, but if I'm having a bad week, then I might have a drink or two in the week. I usually drink to get merry, some times I drink to get drunk. We usually have a bottle and a half of wine between us, but lately I seem to drink more of it than dh does. How long have you been taking AD? My GP practically forced them on me just after Jonny died, but I was too scared about relying on them long term and then coming off them only to discover it was all too difficult. I don't think drinking my way through it is any better though, so it is, as you say, whatever gets you through...

I got another two nasty texts this morning that made me shake and feel sick with worry. Very aggressive and schocking. I have ignored them, and took dh with me to drop of at school so she wouldn't accost me. He is coming with me tomorrow to pick up too, so I won't be by myself. I don't understand her reaction at all, but I'm not going to rise to the bait. I'm hoping that given enough time it'll simmer down. I don't think the friendship is recoverable, though I can do without friends that think they can treat me like that.

MissM, I frequently feel like that. You have to soldier on, though, don't you. No bloody choice in the matter. The world keeps on turning, and we keep on putting one foot in front of the other. My heart goes out to you, as always.

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MissM · 25/06/2010 14:18

I was taking them for PND after DS was born - hard to remember now but it was about 6 months before my brother died. Then when he died the GP said it would be silly to come off them, so I've now been on them for over two years. I really want to come off, but my life doesn't get any less stressful! I need to have a good GP who makes me believe in myself - to be honest it's hard to remember what I was like before ADs, but I know I'm not quite 'with' the world, IYSWIM. Whether that's the drugs or the grief though, who knows.

That woman just sounds appalling EM. Poor poor you. Was she a good friend? What the hell did you do (that's meant in a jokey way by the way, but I mean what could you have done that could merit such vitriol?)

Going for a walk with my other brother on Sunday, a long long walk. The intention is for us to read each other's letters from Jim. Whether we will or not remains to be seen - sometimes the urge to protect yourself against the pain overcomes what you know you need to do. Can't wait to be with him though. My brothers know me better than anyone and they're the only people I feel I can truly and completely be my real self with.

If I don't stop by again I hope your weekend is restful and you get through EM, and everyone else the same. xx

shelleylou · 25/06/2010 14:30

Im dreading Monday. It would be Matt's 23rd birthday.Going to make a card to put with the flowersim laying to wish him happy birthday etc. I think im starting to sound completely bonkers.
Just read a message on his FB profile and really wanted to comment 'and some people just want to jump on the bandwagon' The comment basically said to her it seams like people have forgotten him but she never will. If i talk to her she always does the woe is me i miss him so much i know how u feel etc etc. So it's all added up over the last 8 months. If im a bit upset she starts bawling to get the attention on her. It really pisses me off. If my db ment so much to her why not go to the inquest or at least express an interest in it or how the family are and genuinely mean it??

evansmummy · 28/06/2010 22:19

Been thinking of you today, shelley. I know it was probably a horrible day for you. Did you do something to mark it?

You're not bonkers. I always with Jonny a happy birthday, Christmas etc, then think, like you, that I must be raving!

MissM, did you get that walk and chat in? Thanks for sharing about the AD. My best friend was on them for PND too for about 2 years, she came off them last year, and having just had a baby is worried she might be slipping back down again. I think I'm ok enough to not want to get into that now. I think, if I've got this far I can get a bit further. You know? But it would have made total sense for you at the time to not come off them after your brother died.

Man, I miss him.

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shelleylou · 28/06/2010 23:43

we lft flowers were he was killed and let off a balloon at home it didnt seam to go up so i legged it out the front to make sure it had and watched it go. We toasted db to jd and coke... was his drink i hate this so mcuh finally realised i need help. I cant let go of the day f the mont he was killed

MissM · 29/06/2010 21:23

Shelley I hope you're feeling a bit better than you were yesterday. What a difficult day for you and your family. Lots of hugs coming your way.

Yes EM, we got our walk. It was lovely. We didn't read our letters as my brother can't face it yet, but we talked a lot about Jim, good and bad stuff and laughed about him too which was lovely. I wanted to cry several times but stopped myself - I was so enjoying being with my brother that I didn't want the mood to change. I love being with my brother but the fact that there's two rather than three of us is so very present.

EM how are things with that horrible woman today?

shelleylou · 30/06/2010 22:55

Thanks MissM. I am and not feeling better. I finally admiteed i needed hel and went doctors. Im now on anti depressants..again and on the waiting list for councilling so hopefully they will help

MissM · 01/07/2010 08:18

I really hope you get the help you need Shelley. ADs work for me, for now. And they really helped at the beginning, if only to dull the pain a little and actually help you function relatively normally. Lots of love xx

shelleylou · 01/07/2010 09:52

Its taken me a while to start getting the help i need. I'm stubborn and proud therefore dont like admitting I need help. I also werent sure if what i was feeling was normal, I should have really I've been on anti depressants a few times. Work hasn't been helping well my boss anyway ended up telling him last night that i wont be there for much longer.

evansmummy · 02/07/2010 13:13

I feel sick. Two more messages from the woman this morning, she's started to involve ds. Am going to see the head this afternoon, and will have someone with me at every pick up and drop off. Have had my mobile number changed. When will it end?

My colleague suggested even going to the police, but that seems a bit melodramatic.

As ever, when I'm under a lot of stress, I get even more down about Jonny. Could prob do with some of the AD, shelley and MissM.

shelley, glad you're getting help, and well done for being brave enough to ask.

Was my birthday yesterday. I felt very sad all day pretty much.

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MissM · 02/07/2010 18:06

EM this woman sounds unbelievable. What is her problem? And you say this was a friend? I think seeing the head (and perhaps your DS class teacher?) is the right thing to do, and you should keep an open mind about the police if it gets worse. They would probably 'have words' and that could be the end of it.

God you poor thing, I want to go and shout at her on your behalf (wouldn't do too well though - had a general anaesthetic today and am a bit out of it, plus hopping along on one foot with crutches but that's another story).

Birthdays are hard now aren't they, whosever they are. I felt sad on mine too (and not just cos I was turning 40!) Very very big hugs coming your way.

And Shelley yes, you have been brave. Well done. It takes a lot to go on to ADs, but I know they'll help you through the worst.

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