I need to try and work, but I come in here looking for support and then I can't leave.

I feel so crippled and helpless and useless right now. I'm no good to my job or the patients or the doctors. There's a 2 hour time difference, it's only 5:30 in Cali, and I need to talk to the CFO, let him know I'm struggling and that I know my job could be in jeopardy, but I'm doing my best right now. I need to let them know why my work is slacking right now and that I'm working on getting things better.

I have an appointment to see someone at the domestic abuse shelter on Monday morning, but I don't know how I'm going to make it through the next 4 days until then. Once my kids get here tonight I'll feel a little better, but I have to put in a full day's work today (on no sleep), tomorrow, and make up about half a day's work over the weekend, if not try to get ahead knowing next week will probably be another struggle.

Can anyone help me with suggestions on how to explain to the kids that dad's way of hurting me isn't with his fists, but with his words and actions? The marital settlment agreement says I can't use derogatory statements when referring to their father or I'll be in contempt of court. So how do I explain how he emotionally beat me down to the point of an SA five years ago and I'm trying to protect them from feeling that bad about themselves now?