Happy(?) World Mental Health Day. I’ve been trying to come up with something inspiring, something helpful, some good news–I went for a hike, drank chai while I walked around the bookstore, had lunch with my partner, spent time with my three year old– literally using every skill I have to keep myself going including repeatingContinue reading “World Mental Health Day”
Tag Archives: mental illness
keep going..
My 90 minute ketamine infusion went really well last night— I felt immediate relief which doesn’t always happen. It felt different somehow, like more powerful? Today I’ve been focusing on showing up for myself, not pushing myself too hard and doing by best at taking it easy. My “taking it easy” today was returning somethingContinue reading “keep going..”
Suicidal Ideation
Today has been really, really difficult. I tried to hold it together so I could get through Wren’s schooling and a visit from her PT and OT. As soon as that was over my suicidal ideation became this huge weight on me paired with the desire to self harm. My eating disorder is fighting toContinue reading “Suicidal Ideation”
Crash
I chopped off most of my hair today thinking it would be fun and make me feel beautiful again. I have been feeling so very unattractive— lots of weight gain because of my medications and zero energy to exercise outside of the house. My eating disorder patterns have been triggered, but so far I’ve beenContinue reading “Crash”
Keep going.
Woody sent me this tonight and it really meant a lot to me. Today was the first day in months I’ve been on my own with the kids because Woody is up north and Jim was at work. I’m still feeling wiped out and inpatient with the kids. I would have stayed in bed allContinue reading “Keep going.”
Time for rest
Today was powered by lots of coffee. I am exhausted—Wren’s tight school schedule, her new wheelchair being delivered, rushed errands that needed to be done. All before my treatments that started at 3:00. TMS and a prolonged ketamine infusion that was weird and very difficult to explain. I do have a lot of ketamine inContinue reading “Time for rest”
Sleep + hypnic jerk
Most of the time I have no issues falling asleep— I think it’s because of the various treatments I receive that leave me feeling fatigued. And add distance learning into the mix and I’m always up for a nap. The issue I have is that 2-30 seconds after I fall asleep I have a hypnicContinue reading “Sleep + hypnic jerk”
Thank you
I truly appreciate the kindness of everyone who has reached out, donated, and sent cards and gifts. I especially appreciate quick daily messages from you asking if i’m doing okay, and those of you who comment on my blog and facebook posts. And as a reminder– there are no perfect words– just knowing that you’reContinue reading “Thank you”
Hard to live
Just another day of me crying through my TMS. Why is it so hard for me to live? I’m not blind to my privilege ( I’m white, have health insurance, food and housing, people who love me) which makes me feel even more guilty. I’m sure these blog posts are becoming redundant but I guessContinue reading “Hard to live”
Exhaustion
Today feels heavy—tomorrow probably will too. My brain is still so sick, the state of our nation is even more so. On days like today I wonder if all I’m doing is taking and draining resources from people who can actually be helped. I’m barely sleeping. It could be could be a side effect ofContinue reading “Exhaustion”
How much longer?
Today I have to skip TMS which I’m not happy about because for the last 24 hours I have been feeling dizzy— not the nauseous kind, but the kind of dizzy you feel when you are weaning off medications, or after ECT. I have been so consistent and accountable with all of my treatments andContinue reading “How much longer?”
Patterns
This seems to be a pattern I’m noticing: 1. I feel severely depressed and experience passive suicidal ideation. 2. Treatment: I go in for a ketamine infusion a couple times a week, and TMS Monday-Friday. 3. After treatment I’m exhausted for at least a full 24 hours, not only from the infusion and TMS, butContinue reading “Patterns”
I’m still here
The heartbreak of RBG dying, America’s justice system failing Breonna Taylor, thinking about what’s at stake with the election on November 3rd… it’s been really difficult to post about my struggles because compared to women being terrified of losing their rights, systemic racism, and a piece of shit president who does something everyday that makesContinue reading “I’m still here”
Not alone
Even during my lowest lows, I at least hold onto this:
Trigger warning: self harm, suicide
Tonight was scary. Either Jim or Woody drive me to my daily appointments because either my suicidal ideation is strong, I’m getting a ketamine infusion, or I’m just too mentally exhausted. I was particularly fragile today and because I was upset about something at home, I was stubborn and drove myself. On the way toContinue reading “Trigger warning: self harm, suicide”
This is what matters
I often feel as if I’m failing my children. Yesterday my three-year-old saw me crying in bed and told Jim that my brain is sick and I need to go to the hospital. This morning I struggled to get my six-year-old to do her homework and ended up back in bed sobbing because I wasContinue reading “This is what matters”
I’m so tired
I’m tired of resting in bed when I want to do other things. I’m tired of crashing at least once a week. I’m tired of my kids seeing me cry. I’m tired of not knowing what happens next. I’m tired of saying no. I’m tired of making decisions. I’m tired of appointments. I’m tired ofContinue reading “I’m so tired”
Trial & Error
I know I just wrote about progress, it wasn’t a lie — it was me trying to use my wise mind and see the good. And keep my shit together so I could help Wren through school today— I’m not sure I exceeded. Compound ketamine is ideal in almost every way, but with the exceptionContinue reading “Trial & Error”
UPDATES
It’s been 36 hours since my last ketamine infusion and I’m still feeling good– I’m not starting random dance parties in our living room, or playing my ukulele– but I can play simple board games, I took the kids for a walk to pick up garbage in our neighborhood, went to Costco with my sisterContinue reading “UPDATES”
THANK YOU THANK YOU
Thank you to each and every person who donated so that I could get Ketamine infusions, which quite honestly have helped me stay alive. I have had 11 infusions total, most of them are helpful by getting me through to the next day, but I metabolize medicine very quickly so I often need a higherContinue reading “THANK YOU THANK YOU”
i will grow from this 