Since you are devoted members of the A&E community, we’d like to let you know of some changes that will be taking place on our network discussion boards. Coming this October, we will be moving the A&E discussion boards to an easier, more flexible platform. This exciting update will allow us to improve and expand your experience as a user with improved board functionality and robust member profiles. When the new community is ready, we will be turning off the ability to post here, but you’ll still be able to read the current boards. We have also set up a forum where we’ll be answering questions about the upcoming transition.
Stay tuned for more details in the next few weeks. We will be sure to keep you updated as we make the transition.
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Posts:
577
From:
Ontario, Canada
Registered:
12/20/07
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(43 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Nov 24, 2008 12:23 PM
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Well, first of all, let me say everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This is my opinion. Being on both sides of the fence, addict, as well as the family member of one, watching an addict destroy themselves, I feel the need to post this. What you are seeing as a television veiwer is just the tip of the iceburg. Brooke was a long, long time addict. She did not become this way overnight. In all probability she had put her family through YEARS of wacthing her abuse her meds. Most likely this was far from the first time someone had walked into her home to find her passed out on the floor. Yes, I will agree some things that certain family members said and did were uncalled for. That being said, it was obvious that they were at their breaking point. Most likely because they had been pushed that far and were just so very frustrated with the entire situation. I know, as I did the same to my loved ones. I didn't care. I just wanted to get high and stay that way. Utter oblivion. Don't get me wrong, I do feel for Brooke. Pain is NO holiday and constant pain is most peoples' worst nightmare. I have had cronic stomach pain for 16 years now. My "pain management plan" got so out of control, it is not even funny. At my worst, I was taking 25-30 80 mgs. of oxycontin a DAY!!! My morning ritual was to open my eyes and immeadiately chew 5 of them. That was just to get out of bed. I walked around in a state of semi- conciousness for the rest of the day. My father and my husband BEGGED me to stop. My husband went so far as to move out for a month. My father stoped talking to me, taking my phone calls, basically cut all contact. I didn't care. It took 3 grand-mal seisures in a 36 hour period to finally convince me that this life style was going to be my end. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I think there is so much that we did not see, to pass such harsh judgement on the family. It was so very obvious that they had tried everything. I don't think they meant to come off so cold. Just the way the editing made it seem....Prayers from Sillsygirl xoxoxoxoxox
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Posts:
8
Registered:
11/18/08
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(42 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Nov 23, 2008 7:37 PM
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Amen to that and just like you I am also surprised she wanted to patch things up with her family for if that was me i would went on with my life without them after I gotten out of rehab
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Posts:
4,839
Registered:
10/26/08
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(41 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Nov 22, 2008 11:25 PM
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I guess she wanted to give them a chance first and then maybe some WELL meaning people might have helped her shut all of them up and out.
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Posts:
8
Registered:
11/18/08
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(40 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Nov 22, 2008 6:09 PM
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you've said it!
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Posts:
8
Registered:
11/18/08
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(39 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Nov 22, 2008 6:05 PM
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I really hate to say this but you, your sister and your mom were so selfish until I felt like walking in to the tv screen and giving you all a real talking to. Because all you all really cared about was that wedding and the baby okay those are the most memorable moments in your lives but you all treated her like she was trash off the freaking ground by you all's attitude towards her I hope she shuts you, brittany and your mom out because you were just plain old selfish. because if that was ever me that you treated like that I would have just went on with my life without you all, if i have to
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Posts:
1
Registered:
9/29/08
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(38 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 29, 2008 9:42 PM
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All I can say is... horrible. The only person that TRULY cares is Brooke's father. It was made painfully evident throughout the entire show. I have read the posts from her sister apologizing and trying to "explain". All that is, is a sad attempt at saving face. I was nothing short of disgusted watching that family say that they care at the intervention. I have never seen a group of more selfish people in my life. They all "wanted the old Brooke back"... only to appease their own wants and needs. I honestly don't know how they got to that point with such a level headed father. My heart went out to Brooke because she seemed to want nothing more than to be involved with her family and be loved by the people that are supposed to give it unconditionally. I cannot believe some of the comments that came from the family about a beautiful girl that is in a world of hurt and was doing the only thing that she knew how to be able to make it through the day. The worst part about it was that all this was an accepted medical treatment for a person in chronic pain and was administered by a physician... Treatments almost always have side effects and are not always directly on the mark. I am astonished that a family would see that and react the way they did, even IF they thought she was a drug addict... horrible
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Posts:
6
Registered:
4/26/05
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(37 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 29, 2008 9:17 PM
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Of all the Intervention episodes I've seen, this one got to me the most. Perhaps because I too have chronic pain (degenerative disk disease, CTS, arthritis in knees and hips). Doctors must be more reluctant to prescribe the potent drugs up here in Canada, mine will not give me anything stronger than Tylenol 4 "yet" (her words about the "yet").
Anyways, I really identified with Brooke just wanting to be rid of the pain, no matter what it took. I'm so glad she is doing much better now and I hope she continues to do as well as she can.
If Brittany is still here, I have a question for you. I was coming down pretty hard on you in my mind - I've just seen the last half of the episode and have seen the whole one a couple times - for putting your needs above Brooke's. It seemed to be "all about you" and your wedding. Then I came here and read this thread and you saying they edited things in such a way that we didn't get the whole story. So, my question to you is, did they edit that part in such a way that made you appear to be the "bad guy"? Or is that pretty much the way it was? Thanks.
Edited to finish a sentence that got screwed up between typing and hitting "post".
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Posts:
1
From:
TN
Registered:
8/26/08
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(36 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 29, 2008 9:05 PM
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I just finished watching this episode and I am still fuming!Brooke has a REAL illness and she needs her pain medications.All her family seems to care about is their own insignificant things like showers and weddings.Until someone has suffered true chronic pain,they don't have a clue.I guarantee if ANY of her "family" had a chronic pain condition they would sure be ready to take medications to get some relief.I understand Brooke's pain very well.I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 that left me disabled.As Brooke said,when I wake up in the morning,if I even sleep,I am hurting so bad and am so stiff that I have to take my Oxycontin and lay in bed until it takes effect.I can honestly say that if my family treated me the way Brooke was treated,I would cut off all contact with them.I think the families biggest concern is their embarrassment,like with the wedding.That was the most heartless,callous thing I have ever seen when her sister called and told her she would not be in her wedding.And then the other sister said she couldn't be there for her babies birth.Brooke sure is a bigger woman than I am because I would have told them "Big Deal".This episode was a waste of time with a pushy family that does not know what it is like to be sick,to have pain eat at your very soul.Before I became ill,I never took pills,I've never even been drunk in my life and I am 36 now.But I take them now and I do so with my head held high.If anyone in my life can't cope with me finding some relief,even though it is none of their business,then they can get out of my life.I don't pass out on my meds they just allow me to be the wife and mother that I used to be.
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Posts:
1
From:
Canada
Registered:
9/29/08
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(35 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 29, 2008 8:41 PM
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I can't believe how selfish Brooke's family is. I spent the whole show wishing I could scream at them. If they could look past their own noses they might have seen how much they hurt an already hurting member of their family. I hope that after viewing themselves on TV they are thoroughly disgusted and embarrassed by their behavior. I would be.
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Posts:
1
From:
Muskogee, ok
Registered:
9/29/08
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(34 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 29, 2008 12:19 PM
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I just want everyone to know how truly awful Brookes family has treated her over the years. It all started when she was a senior in high school, my brother was dating her and they finally became engaged when she became sick. However Brookes family made her life miserable, she was very sick and they refused to help her get treatment unless she left my brother. My brother loved her and would have taken wonderful care of her, we all love her. Over the years they have all abandoned her and left her to fend for herself all the while she could hardly walk or take care of herself, so this is what it led to. I am glad that she finally got the help that she needed, but I want everyone to know that her family did not love or care for her until it was too late and they are the reason it went so far.
Brooke you know that we have always all loved you and I hope that someday you can find the happiness you deserved all those years ago.
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Posts:
113
From:
Florida
Registered:
3/2/07
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(33 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 25, 2008 2:11 AM
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Yes, Brittany, we love you guys. I care so much about all of you, that episode really affected me. Please keep us posted on Brooke's progress but also of course whatever you can share with us about you and the rest of your family.
Take care and much love,
Michael
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Posts:
17
Registered:
9/18/08
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(32 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 22, 2008 5:06 PM
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Hey Brittany!
I'm glad that you read my post, I was hoping you would and at least feel that there ARE people out there that look outside of the box and try to get other info aside from just what is shown on tv. Please keep us informed on Brooke and how she is doing.
God Bless!
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Posts:
17
Registered:
9/18/08
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(31 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 22, 2008 5:06 PM
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Hey Brittany!
I'm glad that you read my post, I was hoping you would and at least feel that there ARE people out there that look outside of the box and try to get other info aside from just what is shown on tv. Please keep us informed on Brooke and how she is doing.
God Bless!
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Posts:
33
Registered:
2/17/08
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(30 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 20, 2008 9:24 AM
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animefan:
I am very sorry that you feel that way. Of course many people did and some still do. I am not on here to argue or fight with anyone. I just want you to understand that what you saw on TV was edited for ratings and many things happened that explained our actions that was intentionally left out. All I can ask of you is to read the other posts from my family and get to know us as humans, not passing judgment on people you have never met. Since Brooke is the topic of concern here, you might want to know that she is doing better. Her treatment is under control and she is progressing so much faster than she has in the last 10 years. We are very proud of her and continue to love and support her contrary to what some may think. We are her family and no one can cheapen that or take it away. thanks.
Cyndi35:
Thanks so much for the kind words. I know that after reading some of the posts from our family so many have reached out to us. Of course there will always be negativity associated with this subject. But like I have always said, I would do it again if it meant helping my twin. I love her dearly. It makes us proud knowing the progress she's accomplished and continues to get stronger everyday. I am very thankful for people like you and many others that continue their kind words, it gives us strength.
Thanks again, Brittany
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Posts:
113
From:
Florida
Registered:
3/2/07
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(29 of 43)
Re: Brooke & Family... I feel both your pains!
Sep 18, 2008 5:19 PM
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animefan you are always so refreshingly pleasant
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