The "what's On Your Mind?" Thread -2019

Yeah, it's something to keep in mind. It's not healthy long-term. The constant adrenaline in your bloodstream can start to damage organs. I've developed stressed induced arrhythmia from it and I also have tremors that only seem to be noticeable when I'm really anxious. But I've had anxiety and depression since I was 13 so...

My birthday isn't for another few months but I already have these on my Amazon Wishlist.


I'm getting my second lobe piercing on Sunday!

Graceful-Lily said:

My birthday isn't for another few months but I already have these on my Amazon Wishlist.

I'm getting my second lobe piercing on Sunday!

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Those are gorgeous! I really love the bees.

Alicia88 said:

He has surgery again on September 9. And he probably will have radiation and chemo, but they're trying to get as much of the tumor out with surgery as they can first.

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I'll have the candle lit for him.

And your sister would have been totally justified in using some of that money for the move. ANYTHING to further Shane's treatment and recovery is a valid use, in my eyes. IF a doctor had said, "Ya know, a pet elephant would really increase his chances of complete recovery," I would be screaming, "USE MY MONEY AND GET THAT ELEPHANT!" Or, given my income, "BUY THAT ELEPHANT A BANANA!"

Exactly. They lived nearly an hour from the nearest hospital and 5 hours from the hospital in St. Louis. Not moving could have resulted in his death.

Exactly, Mamanyt1953 and exactly, Alicia88 . People who have experienced love and caring for another living being will get it. Those that haven't, I feel very sorry for and pray for. They have some really serious problem.

Alicia88 said:

He has surgery again on September 9. And he probably will have radiation and chemo, but they're trying to get as much of the tumor out with surgery as they can first.

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That sounds like a good plan. Are these surgeries common to do? The more they can remove, the less radiation and chemo they have to use, correct?

Healing vibes and best wishes to Shane.

I honestly have no idea, but that sounds like it should be right.

Katie M said:

I have an appointment coming up. I've been on the same dose of antidepressant for a while now, so maybe it's not working anymore.

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It's good you have an upcoming appt. Your doc can assess your situation and figure out something to help with your increased depression and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety are tough nuts to crack. Hopefully your doc can help you figure it out! It can sometimes take a while to hit that perfect combo.

I've started back to school this week for social work and so far it's amazing.

Yesterday in my generalist practice class the professor asked us who thought they were mentally strong enough to not take work home with them.

Every single one of the traditional students who have yet to work properly in the field raised their hands.

Then she asked us who was mentally weak. I and two others who already have worked in the field raised our hands (I just did trauma therapy this winter to take care of some major work related vicarious trauma PTSD junk that was causing serious depression and anxiety). The professor told us that her goal by the end of the course was to get us mentally strong so we could work appropriately with clients and not take the stress home with us.

I've also got my hypoglycemia and scent allergy issues on record with the students with disabilities office--I'm stupid not to. I have a block of classes from 10 to 1 and I have to get up at 5 am to get to school before the car park vulture game starts (this week they kept blocking me in and honking angrily at other cars to leave). My evening professor actually announced the first day of class that we could eat in class if we had to. Which is really good, because my version of hypoglycemia causes massive anxiety attacks and suicidal depression for days if it happens when I'm already exhausted.

The other good thing is that the campus counseling center does informal Let's Talk counseling session times starting next week, plus they have walk in hours available, so when crap hits the fan when seasonal affective disorder hits in October/November I can immediately address things. I also figured out a med combination that actually works for me for depression (catnip + St Johns Wort) and things have been great this week for once.

Oh, and I found a professor who may be willing to sponsor undergrad research I really want to do for my consulting firm (and can't do until I have social work casework credentials)! I also am already receiving internship and job offers because I'm going back for social work.

WHEW.

Found out last Friday that I will not be allowed to work for the cleaning company I wanted because the company I am currently working for made them sign an agreement not to hire anyone working for my company unless we've been away from the company for an entire year.

Most of my past co-workers have gone to the other company because it has higher pay, benefits, and better management. My company was tired of losing so many employees, so instead of acknowledging their glaring flaws and fixing them, they just made sure to cut off most people's way out of this hell.

I can't afford to just quit and live off what I have so I have to stay here for now. This whole situation has made my mental health go down hill. I'm so tired of working for these horrible people, but so far there hasn't been many job openings where I live. I look pretty much every day, but nothing new has popped up. I hope something does soon before my last remaining molecule of serotonin jumps ship and I lose my marbles.

Sitting here half awake, reading some of these conversations and saying a prayer for the ones who need it <3 Listening to Hearts Don't Break Around Here by Ed Sheeran, thinking a lot about my SO and how I love him. Starting a new job soon, a little worried about my furkids and how they'll handle the transition.
Life is wildly beautiful, even if only the small quiet moments, with a heartfelt song, dim lights and a kitty beside you. These are some of the best moments and I hope never to take them for granted.

That really sucks about work, Show Me Your Kitties .

I'm up so early now for school (5 am most days) that the cats immediately want FOOD PLEASE. Libby is doing laps between the food dishes and me. I try to wait a little bit til right before I leave at 7 to feed them, because I don't want to them back in the habit of waking us up at 6 am on the weekend because they haven't been fed.

Also, I'm in the middle of the whole pumpkin spice/cider fall feud. I'm allergic to pretty much everything, including apples, so the only safe thing for me this time of year is chai tea, which is basically pumpkin spice tea.........

Just a note that @maggiedemi 's story has been moved to its own thread - My Journey Towards Better Health

This is going to be a long journey and I think it should be in its own thread where she will get more support and advice.

AbbysMom Thanks!

Yes, many thanks, AbbysMom and I agree! A lot of us are in her corner.

Well, that's sucky, Show Me Your Kitties and I empathize. Hoping you can hang on until something better is available. I know I get boosts on my serotonin from just being around the feline kind and getting C.A.T. (Cat-Assisted Therapy) on a daily basis. No matter what else life is throwing at me, THEY make it easier to bear and necessary to endure.

tarasgirl06 said:

Yes, many thanks, AbbysMom and I agree! A lot of us are in her corner.

Well, that's sucky, Show Me Your Kitties and I empathize. Hoping you can hang on until something better is available. I know I get boosts on my serotonin from just being around the feline kind and getting C.A.T. (Cat-Assisted Therapy) on a daily basis. No matter what else life is throwing at me, THEY make it easier to bear and necessary to endure.

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Thanks. Yeah, my boys make getting out of bed worth it.

Man, three day weekend, plus morning rain, plus three students starting their first day (only two that I knew about ahead of time) = crazy, exhausting, day. Ah well, tomorrow should hopefully be calmer!

I had the most exhausting day ever... the campus is a pain to navigate because they don't put up enough signs for you to tell which building is which or which building is in which direction. On top of that, there are like... 2 bathrooms for that entire campus (not literally of course) but they are so spaced out, it's hard to find and I have bladder issues so I was in so much pain running around trying to find a bathroom. The set up, structurally of certain parts of the school isn't convenient or functional. For example, placing a stall in the corner of a bathroom (the walls are at a weird angle) and putting the hand dryer merely inches away from said stall. Embarrassing and ridiculous.

I thought going to orientation would help me make friends but everyone completely ignored me when we were all waiting for class to start. They were on their phones or talking to other people - I kind of felt left out.

Anyway, we'll just have to see. I hope things get better.

Graceful-Lily said:

I had the most exhausting day ever... the campus is a pain to navigate because they don't put up enough signs for you to tell which building is which or which building is in which direction. On top of that, there are like... 2 bathrooms for that entire campus (not literally of course) but they are so spaced out, it's hard to find and I have bladder issues so I was in so much pain running around trying to find a bathroom. The set up, structurally of certain parts of the school isn't convenient or functional. For example, placing a stall in the corner of a bathroom (the walls are at a weird angle) and putting the hand dryer merely inches away from said stall. Embarrassing and ridiculous.

I thought going to orientation would help me make friends but everyone completely ignored me when we were all waiting for class to start. They were on their phones or talking to other people - I kind of felt left out.

Anyway, we'll just have to see. I hope things get better.

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Sounds poorly planned. I empathize. And don't you hate that? I really love going out to dinner and the other person has a screen on their nose the entire time. NOT SOCIAL.