I Have Come Out From Under The Covers.

Things were bad, really bad last week. We were dealing with what I like to call the "Disastrous D's" and it all seemed to have happened at once. But I think I might finally be OK to talk about it.

Demotion - On Wednesday I was told that after 7 years, I will no longer be the Office Manager of my job. Once we move (which is in about a month) they are going to give it to a woman who's job has been eliminated. She is not qualified for my job, she doesn't know payroll, the data processing programs, the purchasing programs, the billing process, or how to close the month. She's work as an executive assistant for 2 years and from what I saw on a daily basis, she only knew how to order lunch. I have been bumped down to Office Assistant, she will be my supervisor.

I'm sure that I don't have to tell you how hurt and humiliated I was on Wednesday. But unfortunately, the humiliation didn't end there. On Thursday morning, I mustered as much courage and self dignity I could and I went into work. That's when they told me that I was going to have to train her as well.

Now I ask you, how much do they think one person can take? But with the job market, I'm going to have to take it. I felt heartbroken, humiliated and hopeless, which brings us to our next "D".

Depression - On Thursday night I was so hysterical that Matt found it necessary to take me to the Emergency Room. Convinced that I was a danger to myself, they put me in a very small room, took every stitch of my clothing including my underwear and told Matt that he was not to leave me alone for a second. If he had to go to the bathroom, he had to call the nurses and they would come and sit with me. There was also a very big security guard that stood outside the door.

After blood tests, urine tests and a lengthy conversation with the Psychiatrist on staff, they finally let me go home after about 4 hours. They gave me a phone number for a Psychologist and a prescription for a non-narcotic sleeping pills that give me a hangover. Matt was told that he was not to leave me alone for 48 hours, so I stayed home from work on Friday.

Diagnosis - On Friday afternoon, my mother called me. She just wanted to tell me that my Stepfather had spoken with his doctor and has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Now, I have been through this cancer thing more times than I care to count. My mother alone was diagnosed with breast cancer twice and has been cancer free for 8 years now. I know the statistics and the odds, especially with Prostate Cancer. It's very curable and very slow moving, but that doesn't make it any less scary. As strong as he wants to be, it's completely terrifying.

Disabled Car - On Saturday, we woke up to a very busy day full of bowling, birthday parties, doctor appointments etc. We went out to our car and nothing. It won't start and we are without a car for a few weeks until we can get it repaired. My friend Katie has been taking me to and from work and Matt's work van still is working, but to do anything else is impossible.

I felt so bad for Emerson. She was suppose to go to a birthday party at a hotel to go swimming and she was looking forward to it all week. She didn't cry or anything, but I vowed that she would go to the party. I groveled to my father, who really doesn't like to do anything that's inconvenient, and begged him to take her. Thankfully he did and she had a wonderful time.

Death - On Sunday, Matt was outside and when he came in he told me that our neighbor had died. He had moved away just 3 days previous to be closer to his mom. 2 days later she went over there to help him unpack and found him dead. He had an aneurysm and died instantly. He was in his late 40's. Now, I know that it is so not about me, but I feel so bad for his mom.

So there you have it folks. It's been a few days and I have been able to wrap my brain around all of it enough to let you guys know what's going on. I know that a few of you were worried and I'm sorry for doing that to you.

I am hanging by a thread right now, but I think I'll be OK. I will be catching up on everything you guys have been up to this weekend.