Stress Center Peer Support

Well, I did it! I flew from OH to CA on Sat and back on Tuesday. I went with my husband and 20 month old for an interview. It was only the 3rd and 4th times I've ever been on a plane. It went pretty well. I did NOT have a panic attack. Had some weird thoughts, but I just let them pass without paying too much attention to them. I did have some anxiety during the interview, but on the exterior, I was fine. On the way back, there were thunderstorms in Chicago where we had a layover. The pilot announced about 35 mins before landing that there WOULD be turbulence and it may get pretty choppy. THAT got my attention! We ended up in a holding pattern for about 15-20 mins which was fine by me, I didn't want to land in a thunderstorm (have been afraid of lightning/tornadoes since I was a kid). It did have some moderate turbulence, but not horrible. We landed after the storm and it was fine. There were bad storms in Columbus (our destination) and I couldn't bring myself to get on the plane. Not because of flying, but the storms! So we rented a car and drove. This was the one flight I was really looking forward to as it was only about 45 mins! I'm trying not to beat myself up for driving the last leg. I was a little afraid that if we landed in a really bad storm and I had a panic attack that it might make me afraid to fly, so I figured a 6 hour car ride may be worth it.

I did enjoy flying much more than the first time I flew, people were nice, my daughter was pretty good and I'm (dare I say it?) looking forward to flying out in July permanently!

Oh, I got a call today from my recruiter and he said he spoke with HR and they are going to make me a job offer, wahoo!!!

Anyhow, thank-you all for your support, I had posted about my upcoming flight and you were all so helpful!

Take care,
Ocean

Yeah!!! Good For You!!!

Thanks Staying positive!

Good to hear it went well. I was wondering if you made it since your last posts about the plane flight were getting a little unsure there for a while. Sounds like it wasn't nearly as bad as you thought it might be huh. It usually never is. - Congratulations on the job position! The weather here where I am has been absolutely perfect.

Way to go Ocean...nice job. Congratulations on your career move and staying positive.

Mary,
That morning (we had to leave at 5 am), there were horrible storms and tornado warnings and the airport was 1.5 hours away. I almost didn't go, but the powerful storms moved at 55 mph and we only saw some lightning on the way. At the airport I kept telling hubby that I wasn't sure that I would board. Then when we boarded I said I might still get off. Of course I thought of my other 2 children at home and what they would think if I got off that flight. It would teach them to be afraid and that it is OK to avoid, so I figured that a panic attack on a plane would be worth it for my kids! And I was fine, a little nervous, but NOTHING what I had anticipated! Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. It helped to know that you had a panic attack on a plane and it was OK. It made me worry less since I knew that you had gotten through it. I love CA weather! I hate the thunderstorms in OH, it was 89 yesterday and so humid, it felt like you were drowning when you stepped outside. Today is going to be in the 90's and also very humid, yuck! Can't wait to be back in the CA sunshine!!

Tallboy, Thanks! I've really been trying to stay positive for a while, even when it felt strange and now it's becoming almost 2nd nature!

Take care,
Ocean

Congrats on flying and the new job!!