If we don't let out that breath, our body develops a holding pattern that lasts for months or years." It goes on, "You may feel the mind constantly replaying the event in a ruminating loop, losing touch with the reality of your present lived experience, feeling like you're in a daze, dream, or nightmare, exhausted but can't access rest." It then moves to some simple steps for recovery: tuning into all five senses, physically shaking out your body, simple meditations, sitting or walking, and deep breathing with long and slow exhales.

My name is Lei, spelt as L-E-I.

Um, I met Vic initially through a phone call.

My wife, Joyce, was dying.

Joyce's treating oncologist pulled me aside and said that really we're talking about a matter of weeks.

Um, it just felt really blank and numb.

I felt I just kept going and without knowing where I was going to or why I was doing what I was doing.

Mm.