At the age of 64, after 35 years and five attempts, Diana Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Key West without a shark cage.
It took her 53 hours and she had a team of 35 people helping her out.
We may need 53 weeks, or months to complete our “swim” through the waters of benzo withdrawal, but we will arrive on the warm sandy beach sooner of recovery or later.
It would be nice if we all had a team to “scout for jellyfish and sharks” as Diana had, but alas, we swim these treacherous waters on our own. We do have the veterans who tell us that we will recover (for which I am grateful). But it would be nice if someone were in a boat next to me, hollering, “head pressure straight ahead,” or, “derealization at 3:00.” so I could maneuver safely around. But no. I still swim right into symptoms.
The good news is I keep swimming. Diana was quoted as saying,”Never give up on your dreams.” Yesterday I had a hard time holding onto hope (I was hit hard with symptoms). Today, I feel better. Not healed, but better. I guess I will keep kicking my legs, pumping my arms, and moving through the water.
I hope everyone had a good Labor Day holiday. Wish benzo withdrawal syndrome symptoms would take a holiday.
One day we will be healed.
Believe.
Diana Nyad did. 🙂
For the last three days I’ve been trapped in shark infested pits. I’ve just experienced a wave like no other wave. A Tsunami that swept away all reason or ability to deal with it calmly. I floundered and almost sunk after a 72 hour vigil just trying to stay alive.
I reached the shore today and woke up to this post from you Jennifer. How I would love to have a scout who could warn me of the dangers ahead. I still have no idea what I ate, drank or did to cause such devastion to my nervous system but it reacted with a violence far worse than during my first few weeks of withdrawal. I shall keep a wary watch after this and trust nothing to pass my lips without thorough appraisal first!
With Love,
Rosalind
Thank you! What a lovely & inspirational message to start a new day with! You are wonderful!
Thanks Jennifer, what a timely posting for me. I am also hit with horrible waves yesterday, and looks like today as well. The symptoms that I thought were behind me are now back in full force. So bad that the suicidal ideation has raised it’s ugly head again. Your message has encouraged me. I am not going to give up my dream. One day, I will live a normal life, just like everyone else.
Take care.
Ed Chiu from Canada
Thanks Jennifer for the encouraging words again! I have also been in a wave for the last several day! Symptoms that had let up are back and I find it so hard to keep my focus on “my dream”! I will keep swimming because I really have no other choice. Our youngest daughter was engaged over the weekend. I soooo want to enjoy the time of planning and preparing with her! Let me say that another way….. I WILL enjoy the time of planning and preparing with her! It is my prayer that in a year, when the wedding takes place, I will be much farther along in my healing and life will be good! THAT IS MY DREAM!!!
Congrats Carol! You will be well on your way in a year. No worries.
Enjoy this sweet time. I’m so happy for you.
Jenn