My Aunt

[txteach]

I just learned today that my Aunt Elaine is not doing well. She is on a ventalator and it does not look promising. She was always a good person and I'm hoping she pulls through. I'm not writing this to not really gather sympathy but to rather educate everyone on how your lifestyle can be fatal. Elaine did many drugs in her life with her biggest being beer. She also drank at least a case of beer a day for as long as I can remember. Her husband is the same way. They are co-dependent. She one time got kicked off a bus on a long distance trip because she was drinking brandy on it. I always felt sorry for Elaine but stood on the sidelines as she drank herself to death. I honestly don't know what I could have done to help her being only her nephew. Her son helped her slip into this lifestyle further by killing a woman and going away for life. She lost it then. Her drinking consumed all of her free time. Now I fear that a women I remember when I was little as a loving housewife with 3 kids is just a tragic statistic. I pray to god that none of us end up like Elaine. Her life may be very tragic but hopefully if anyone is in her same walk in life it will wake then up to get help. Sorry for the rant but it deeply saddens me to hear my Aunt Eggie (as I called her as a little boy) is dying. Thanks for reading.

[toys2cool]

Sorry to hear that John,there's really nothing you could've done man.Everyone chooses there path in life and she chose to drink,now let's just hope she lives thru this and maybe her life will change for the better.I wish you and your family the best my friend

[BlackKnight]

My Condolences to you & Your Family Coach.

[megocrazy]

My sympathies John. Have to agree with T2C. There probably wasn't anything you could have done. Unfortunately sometimes people make decisions not realizing when they're going to pay the consequeces. Usually they don't realize their mistake until it's too late. Hope everything works out for you and your aunt.

[miguet]

John, sorry to hear about your Auntie's health situation. Hopefully, your message comes through to someone who could relate to your auntie's lifestyle. I'll keep your Auntie in my thoughts and prayers. My best to you and your family.

[Hector]

I'm very sorry about your aunt's present state.

A case of beer a day sounds unreal, nothing else I can add to that.

I'm a beer drinker, but I have always said it's ok as long as it's in moderation (like anything else)...anything in excess can be deadly...even water.

My thoughts are with your aunt.

[Meule]

Sorry to hear about this. I hope she pulls through and maybe then she'll change her life style

[mitchedwards]

John, sorry to hear about your aunt. My thoughts and prayers for your aunt, and your family.

[Godzilla]

So sorry to hear that. Hang in there.

[huedell]

I'm not writing this to not really gather sympathy but to rather educate
everyone on how your lifestyle can be fatal.

And such are each and every one of our lives....to respectfully play with your words
there John....all roads leading to the same destination.

And to quote from TPB---"Life is pain." I believe that wholeheartedly.

However, your post is proof that at the very least your Aunt has close people ---to
think of her with such potent sincere love and support during her darkest hours...and
that may be something to be quite thankful for.

Bless.

[Marvelmania]

That is so sad John. She's blessed to have your love. She'll be in my prayers.

[spaceace35]

sorry to hear that
our prayers are with her

[knight errant00]

Sorry to hear it.

I've been through too many deaths in the family in recent years, one somewhat drawn out, so I know how it goes.

Hang through, and persevere.

[Evel KMego]

Sorry to hear the bad news Teach, my prayers for your aunt and yourself.

[Adam West]

I'm sorry to hear the news.

I have an aunt who died about a month ago from Emphesyema at the age of 68 due to years and years of smoking. My grandfather died the same way.

My mother watched both of them die and she said it was absolutely horrible...essentially they both died from asphyxiation as their bronchial tubes were so clogged they could not breathe.

It's easy for me to look on as a bystander and say she made the choice to smoke. The problem with my own argument is I have never smoked, I have never been addicted to anything, so it's very difficult for me to relate.

Addiction is not a choice and unfortunately there isn't anything you can do to change someone else's behavior even if it's for their own good. I have a brother-in-law who is an alcoholic, he's a functional alcoholic but one nevertheless.

He drinks large quantities of alcohol every single day...I really don't know how much but my sister says it's bad. I know when we go to see my sister, he secludes himself to the basement only coming up to refill his drinks. I remember going to my niece's birthday party a few years ago and he just stood by a cooler the entire time with a case full of cheap beer going through one after the other. He was the only one drinking and even when I would walk over and talk to to him, he never once offered me one (I drink moderately so it's not like he would have any reason not to offer me one).

My sister has tried just about everything from yelling at him to talking rationally to him but nothing works. Finally, she has joined al-anon and has learned that the only way he is going to stop is when he makes the decision for himself. She has told him she disapproves of the drinking, she will not purchase alcohol for him, but otherwise remains silent.

I really worry about him but at the end of the day, there is nothing any of us can say or do to change the situation.