![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2003, at 3:59:32
I spent the evening (well, and night - it is now 4:44 AM) in the Emergency Room with my friend. She had called me and didn't sound safe. I was very nervous to leave her in her apartment last night. So when she sounded so desperate and out of control tonight I was really worried. I went to "visit" her and got her to call Emergency Services. Then she packed a bag and we went to the hospital. She kept saying she didn't want to go into the hospital (she's been in the hospital 4 times in the last year). I know that, but she needed to be there. After she saw the physician (who was a real jerk and I don't blame her for getting upset), she rifled around in her bag to find something dangerous to SI with while her hands were in her bag and I was sitting next to her - fortunately she didn't have them in her bag tonight. I had to watch her like a hawk. She is very creative when she wants to hurt herself. I did a good job of catching her more than once before she could inflict damage. She did do one minor thing and I caught her right afterwards. She has injured herself while she was in the hospital in the past.
Fortunately the psychologist thought she needed to be admitted, and she agreed to sign herself in. But she still kept trying to hurt herself. (Of course, I do a little minor SI myself, so we were quite a pair). I wasn't going to let them send her home - they would have slept fine, but I wouldn't have slept at all.
6 hours of trying to keep her safe, and trying to convince her to tell ALL (or I would), and trying to convince her that going home would be a bad idea. I am tired. It is a good thing I have insomnia - makes it easier to stay up late.
She knows that I love her, and that makes it all worthwhile.
For those of you who belong in the hospital but don't want to go: Maybe your friends and family need to have a break from worrying about you.
Posted by yesac on July 23, 2003, at 9:24:33
In reply to My friend is in the hospital, posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2003, at 3:59:32
Sorry to hear about your long night. But it's great that you were there for your friend and that she ended up "okay".
> For those of you who belong in the hospital but don't want to go: Maybe your friends and family need to have a break from worrying about you.UNLESS... they don't know the depth of your (okay, mine) suffering and despair, and they all live far away, in which case they really have nothing to worry about! (I'm not saying that I need to be in the hospital right now, but there have been times when I probably should have, and never went.)
Posted by tina on July 23, 2003, at 9:30:34
In reply to My friend is in the hospital, posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2003, at 3:59:32
this was a very generous thing to do for your friend fallsfall. You're a sweet person to care so much. Your friend is very lucky to have you. Do remember to take care of yourself too though.
I hope your friend feels better soon and I send strength and hugs to you through this hard time.
tina
Posted by Dinah on July 23, 2003, at 9:36:21
In reply to My friend is in the hospital, posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2003, at 3:59:32
You're a very good friend, Fallsfall.
It must have been really tough on you though, especially on top of your own upset yesterday. Take extra special care of yourself today.
Posted by Penny on July 23, 2003, at 11:12:50
In reply to My friend is in the hospital, posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2003, at 3:59:32
You are an amazing person, fallsfall. Your friend is very lucky to have you. But do take care of yourself too.
(((fallsfall)))
P
Posted by kara lynne on July 23, 2003, at 12:10:04
In reply to Re: My friend is in the hospital » fallsfall, posted by Penny on July 23, 2003, at 11:12:50
Hi falls,
Sorry you've had such a stressful couple of days here (days...?!).I would count myself lucky to have a friend like you. Yesterday I went walking, and started thinking about what was missing from my life. I realized that although of course I would love all these other things, what I really want most right now is a friend. A real friend.
Like you.
Posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2003, at 13:55:19
In reply to Re: My friend is in the hospital, posted by kara lynne on July 23, 2003, at 12:10:04
We've been to many different hospitals around here, but this one is a new one for us. It is a little different than the others. More 1-1, fewer groups (this is probably good for her). Her assigned staff member is a DBT expert (what a good idea). She sounded positive and willing to give the place a good try.
I took Ativan and actually got 2 four hour blocks of sleep (that's more than any night in the last week). I'm trying to figure out when I can go to see her - she's 45 minutes away (which is a little far for me to drive, though I can do it if I need to). I'm exhausted now so I don't really want to go tonight. I have therapy tomorrow so I don't know if I'll feel like going and focusing on her. And there are no visiting hours on Friday. I'll try to find other people to go today or tomorrow so I'll have the option of staying home.
Thank you for your kind responses. Support is so... supportive.
Posted by noa on July 23, 2003, at 20:57:43
In reply to Re: She called, posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2003, at 13:55:19
You are truly a wonderful friend.
Posted by Temmie on July 26, 2003, at 16:25:58
In reply to Re: She called, posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2003, at 13:55:19
Take care of "you," Sweetie. You're no good caring for others, if you aren't solid, rested and well yourself. You can call your friend, or make her a card ... write a little poem ... find some less-taxing way of expressing your love and support.
Wishing you well. She is ... we are ... so lucky to have you here. T.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.