Thursday, December 17, 2009

Thankful Thursdays # 4 (Helping ease my fears)

What's your biggest fear come wedding day?  For me, it's not about the flowers not arriving or the cake falling over...no, my biggest fear about my wedding is being one of those brides who faints on the altar.  And I'm not kidding, I'm notorious for it.


It started in 3rd grade when I first passed out because I was overly anxious about making it to the championship spelling bee that day.  Then I next fainted at work when I was 22 and pregnant with my daughter.  I've twice fainted due to sudden extreme pain (I slipped on concrete and then pulled a serious neck muscle).  Once I passed out when I have been overly active and in excessive heat...yes, I need to hydrate more.

But this past July 26th was the worst time yet...while at a friend's baby shower in Laguna Beach I suddenly felt very ill and went to use the restroom.  I had been eating, drank a soda and a small bottle of water and was only in the sun for about 90 minutes...I was saying my good-byes with the fiance when I excused myself to use the restroom before we walked off to the car.  And then it happened...

I passed out while standing in line for the bathrooms and fell smack dab onto my face and the concrete while wearing my Serengetti sunglasses.  Next thing I knew I woke up to a lifeguard asking me if I was okay.  I told them I just passed out and directed them to my friends and fiance.  6 stitches later and almost 48 hours later I had a huge black eye and now a scar right under my eyebrow. 

So why am I blogging about this as a Thankful Thursdays post?  Well, because the one thing I am so very thankful for come wedding day are my bridesmaids!  They consist of my baby sister, two cousins, best friend, daughter and my mentor.  I told my bridesmaid (who was hosting the shower) that her job on wedding day will be to keep me from passing out during the day.  One of the reasons I asked the ladies that I did to stand up with me on wedding day was because they all know me so well...they make me laugh, know why I cry.  They know what a stress case I can be and know that I need to constantly be eating a little throughout the day.  They know how my mind works and what will make me relax and what will make me worry on the big day.  So I am so thankful to have them there to keep me grounded, focused, relaxed and laughing throughout the festivities.  For without them, I may just pass out at the altar!

Could you imagine if this had happened to me closer to (or God forbid ON) the wedding day?  I would be devastated!




So what are your wedding day fears?

14 comments:

Kim said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry that this happens to you! Although it doesn't compare at all, my biggest fear is that I'm going to catch a cold or the flu. I have respiratory problems and used to suffer from asthma, so when I get sick, I get REALLY sick. I also get that dry, hacking cough that is so not attractive. I'm so happy you have good friends and family that will be there for you, no matter what!

Brittney said...

I'm a fainter to, though mine revolves around my intense fear of (and this weird) foreign items disturbing my veins. lol. Generally I would say "needles" however I have have passed out going through a health class just TALKING about tourniquets, and I DON'T pass out when I get a shot... but I do when I get my blood drawn. lol... I'm weird, but it's pretty bad. I just have to THINK about it too intensely and I'm in trouble. I passed out once in a hospital bed when I got my tonsils out, just having the IV inserted into my arm.... AND I had a small seizure! Now my doctor makes me take anti-anxiety meds before I have to do anything like that! lol

My biggest fear (and I don't foresee this happening, but too much TV will do this to you) is that my husband-to-be won't show up! That would absolutely kill me. Like I said, I don't see it being an issue, but that would still be my biggest fear.

Em said...

Oh my gosh! I've never fainted but I can definitely see how this would be a fear of yours. I went to a wedding a few months ago and one of the bridesmaids fainted right up at the altar! It was scary for those watching, but I can only guess how scary it was for her. I'm glad your BMs are going to take care of you and make sure nothing happens :)

Pug(s) and Bugg said...

So I've never actually fainted before... I can't imagine and don't know what I'd do if I did! It's good that you know you're a fainter so you can be prepared :)

-kjpugs

Brittany said...

Oh my! I have never fainted (knock on wood) before. SO scary! I know this sounds minor compared to your wedding fear but... I get headaches really bad when I get hot. My wedding is in July and I'm so afraid I will have a headache on my big day.

JazzWhispers said...

Oh I'm so sorry for your fainting! I have a friend who has dealt with that her entire life and I know she's suffered so I can't imagine you're fear for the wedding! Thankfully you have wonderful ladies to stand up with you and keep you calm!

My biggest fear is I get migraines when I'm stressed out. Migraines that cause any light or noise to send me into tears of pain. Migraines that hurt so bad I get nauseous and throw up for hours. My ladies know about this and therefore are prepared to de-stress at any given time!

Heather said...

I’m so sorry to hear that happened to you, Stacey. What a scary experience. Let’s hope that having your bridesmaids by your side will help, like you said. I haven’t completely blacked out before, but if I have to stand for too long, especially if I am hot or hungry, I get sick to my stomach. Since our ceremony will be about 45 minutes long, I’m a bit worried about it, and plan to talk to our rehearsal director about the temperature in the church, whether the bride and groom sit during the sermon, etc. I’ll definitely be eating a snack and drinking some water about 15 minutes ahead of the start time.

My Dream Ring said...

Oh my goodness gracious! So glad you made quick recovery. I have never passed out before (knock on wood) but I do get kind of faint if I get really worked up.

My biggest wedding fear is having a panic attack on the day of the wedding. I suffer from panic attacks and I really want to go and enjoy my wedding and not have one that day!

Jamie said...

Geez! That is scary!

My fear was dress related - my dress was coming from France and we weren't sure it would make it! And my second fear was tan lines.

Um, my advice to you is, keep your knees bent!

A Los Angeles Love said...

Have you thought about carrying smelling salts? I'm only kinda joking - all that fainting must be scary stuff. But truthfully, I imagine none of us have any idea how we're really going to feel on our wedding day. It's just too big for me to comprehend right now. And so long as you have your loved ones near, everything is going to be alright.

And my biggest fear it that it won't be fun for my guests. That everything will go wrong logistically, that it will rain, that people won't dance, that the food doesn't arrive. Etc. I panic about logistics. It's the used-to-be-event-planner in me.

Chocolate Lover said...

Oh no Stacey! So sorry that happened! I will be thinking good thoughts and sending positive "no-fainting" vibes on your day! I have fainted several times so I feel you. Most of my fainting revolves around stress so I can see myself freaking out on the day to some extent and worrying about this too. But I love that you are focusing on your friends and bridesmaids and leaning on them for support. They'll definitely be there for you no matter what you need on your day!

Katie said...

Ohhh girl I totally feel you on this!!!!! I have low blood sugar/blood pressure, and I have passed out/fainted in inopportune places at various times throughout my life. Eat bananas! Apparently I heard that the potassium helps? I could be wrong here...but they would also have the added benefit of keeping your stomach settled as well...

Mrs T said...

OUCH! So hoping you won't pass out at your wedding. I am sure you will be fine. I will be sending happy non fainty thoughts from Australia that day. You will be FINE!!!

buhdoop said...

Oh my goodness, i really hope you don't faint on the alter, it happened to a friends wedding I went to and the entire wedding stopped so she could sit down.

Remember to keep your legs bent a little and squeeze your toes to keep blood circulating.

My biggest fear is poofy hair.

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