Posted by Kath on September 29, 2009, at 20:14:49
Even though a lot of people who truly helped me cope & keep my sanity aren't here any more, I want those who ARE to know how wonderfully things have been going since June. Well, before that, really, but we'll go from June.
My son is renting a cute little house. He got it at the first of June & at the same time got a part-time job in a restaurant. He's still there. He hasn't missed one shift even when my husband & I have been away on holidays on 3 different weeks & not around to do 'wake-up calls' or give drives to work. (Granted, he doesn't work until the afternoon, but even so!)
He's had at least 3 fairly major crisis times - 2 of which were roommate-related. For all of June, July & August he was having hugely stress-creating roommate problems. He did NOT do a downward spiral! He got super-stressed, yes, but he kept going to his job. He did go on big drug-binges to cope with his stress.
He's had ongoing involvement in the field of his passion, of electronic music, 'spinning' from time to time on internet radio shows, and doing his DJ, 'mixing' at least 5 times in various clubs in Toronto, and at a recent electronic music festival.
He's being a responsible tenant; when things go wrong (some trees were cut down & driveway damaged) he's contacted his landlord to let him know. He's got a little sound-studio set up in his place & is keeping his place fairly clean & tidy (which was not really the case when he lived with us!)
Recently a seemingly amazing opportunity came up for him for a new job. It turned out to be one of those "if it's too good to be true, it probably IS" situations & fell through. He was devastated, but didn't resort to drugs to hide from his feelings...he felt his feelings, went through them, & then was able to look at the situation & recognize certain things that really probably weren't in his best interests regarding the lost opportunity. He ended up saying that if that's the way they treated people, he'd rather know up front, as he'd rather not be involved with them. He voiced his mixed feelings - he'd been upset & disappointed, but also felt a pretty big sense of relief.
I am so proud of these advances. I'm proud & thankful for the evolving maturity. I still get quite anxious when something stressful comes up for him...and I'm starting to learn that 'hey - he's probably going to do okay!!'
He's been off meds for about 6 months & no relapses. When he's really tired or stressed, the "negative symptoms" of schizophrenia - the tired, more quiet, vacant, not-quite-there behaviours happen. When that happens I feel scared, but they disappear fairly quickly now!
I am tremendously thankful. And want to thank everyone again for all your SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:-))))))))))))) Kath
poster:Kath
thread:919035
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20090827/msgs/919035.html