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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 15:06:56
We share a birthday Scott!!
Until a couple of years ago I felt in my mid-30's. But that's not the case any more.
HowEVER, I certainly don't feel what my concept of 62 is like!!!
:-))
I often feel depressed on my birthday. Happy to announce that that isn't the case today.
:-) Kath
Posted by SLS on February 19, 2009, at 15:59:08
In reply to 62, NOT going on 22!!, posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 15:06:56
> We share a birthday Scott!!
I'm in good company, then.
> Until a couple of years ago I felt in my mid-30's. But that's not the case any more.
>
> HowEVER, I certainly don't feel what my concept of 62 is like!!!It's interesting how we put together models of what we think people are like - age, gender, marital and parental status, etc. In my mind, you have been in your 30s.
> I often feel depressed on my birthday.I had absolutely ignored my birthday for at least 10 years. I didn't want to mark another year without a cure. New Years was similarly ignored.
> Happy to announce that that isn't the case today.
What has made the difference?
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on February 19, 2009, at 17:22:01
In reply to 62, NOT going on 22!!, posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 15:06:56
Happy birthday, Kath!
gg
Posted by Dinah on February 19, 2009, at 17:46:29
In reply to 62, NOT going on 22!!, posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 15:06:56
I'm glad it's going well. :)
Posted by TexasChic on February 19, 2009, at 19:03:49
In reply to Happy birthday!! » Kath, posted by Dinah on February 19, 2009, at 17:46:29
I was going to make a Happy B-day post for you, but the day went long so I'm just now getting here. I hope you had a wonderful day!
-T
Posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 20:33:10
In reply to Re: 62, NOT going on 22!! - Yay February 19, posted by SLS on February 19, 2009, at 15:59:08
> It's interesting how we put together models of what we think people are like - age, gender, marital and parental status, etc. In my mind, you have been in your 30s.I guess, when I'm what I call 'doing well' I still feel in my 30's - maybe 38 or so. Yes, it IS interesting how we do that! I do it too. You wouldn't have been 22 - but probably early-mid-30's.
> What has made the difference?
>
>
> - ScottThe difference between my custsomary birthday depression & my enjoying today was that I didn't link my birthday being special for me with ANYBODY else!! I think I used to wait for people to say happy birthday, or do something special.
This year, I just decided that for me, within myself, it was my special day. I booked a massage & enjoyed that. My husband even forgot to say HB when leaving for work & my son thought it was Wednesday, so didn't know it was my birthday until late this afternoon I decided to mention it. But even so, I just enjoyed my birthday, knowing that I was considering it special. I had bought myself a really pretty orchid plant a few days ago. It's less than a foot high & has lovely dark dark red-purple blossoms.
Husband, son & I ended up going out for dinner at a Thai place.
I think I just decided that it sucks to feel crappy on my birthday, so I didn't!
Hope you enjoyed your day! hugs, Kath
Posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 20:40:46
In reply to Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!, posted by TexasChic on February 19, 2009, at 19:03:49
> I was going to make a Happy B-day post for you, but the day went long so I'm just now getting here. I hope you had a wonderful day!
>
> -T~ ~ Thanks TC! Yeah, probably the best recent birthday within memory!
:-) Kath
Posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 21:39:17
In reply to Thanks everyone :-)))))))), posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 20:40:46
I was working up to telling my son that I needed him to have some structure in his life - to DO something etc. I was having trouble knowing exactly how I'd word this etc. I wanted to be positive & not naggy, and assertive at the same time. I was feeling nervous about it but knew I HAD to say it (to take care of my needs).
And this afternoon, he started talking to me about how he feels has too much spare time & he's ready to go forward getting involved in a program offered by the YMCA. He even phoned & left a message for them to call him.
So I have learned from the past to not get TOO excited about it, but it's a positive move & I told him that the timing is good, because I was just working up to letting him know that it is NOT working for me that he doesn't have structure to his days....that it makes me feel unsettled & anxious & I'm really glad that he's come to a place where he plans to go forward.
So it just sort of worked out naturally how I got to say it!
So that was a nice birthday present!!
Kath
Posted by SLS on February 19, 2009, at 22:04:31
In reply to A nice thing happened., posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 21:39:17
> And this afternoon, he started talking to me about how he feels has too much spare time & he's ready to go forward getting involved in a program offered by the YMCA. He even phoned & left a message for them to call him.
I'm sorry for not knowing the story behind this.
How old is he?
What has held him back in the past?
- Scott
Posted by Bobby on February 19, 2009, at 23:20:50
In reply to 62, NOT going on 22!!, posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 15:06:56
Man! Sorry I missed your Birthday---HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 62 is not bad at all. That's when you can stop worrying about being 50 something(yes---in my mind there's a difference) and reap the benefits of the seeds you've sown through the years-----the culmination of a lot of hard work. Live life like you have earned every heartbeat. I'm just thankful to still be alive at any age!
Posted by SLS on February 20, 2009, at 6:13:02
In reply to Re: 62, NOT going on 22!! » Kath, posted by Bobby on February 19, 2009, at 23:20:50
> Man! Sorry I missed your Birthday---HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 62 is not bad at all. That's when you can stop worrying about being 50 something(yes---in my mind there's a difference) and reap the benefits of the seeds you've sown through the years-----the culmination of a lot of hard work. Live life like you have earned every heartbeat. I'm just thankful to still be alive at any age!
Hey Bobby.Remind me to look for you next year. I want to see you talk me out of being 50!
- Scott
Posted by Kath on February 20, 2009, at 8:06:50
In reply to Re: A nice thing happened. » Kath, posted by SLS on February 19, 2009, at 22:04:31
> > And this afternoon, he started talking to me about how he feels has too much spare time & he's ready to go forward getting involved in a program offered by the YMCA. He even phoned & left a message for them to call him.
>
> I'm sorry for not knowing the story behind this.
>
> How old is he?
>
> What has held him back in the past?
>
>
> - ScottOh My Gosh Scott - it's more like a saga! It began when he was 14 (is 25 in March). Started doing pot; skipping school; choosing 'not good news' people to hang out with. It escalated over the years; more drugs/worse drugs/ a few times of 'tough love' when, as a result of refusing to go to school OR work, he chose what he knew was the alternative - to not live in our home (when friends' couches weren't there, he was on the street)...went to Vancouver around 17 yrs old, where biological dad was; ended up on streets there. All the time the drugs were getting stronger, etc. 2 years ago he & GF were in Vancouver again due to him being paranoid here in Ontario & needing to 'get away from' whoever. Cocaine; crack; out there crystal meth. Ended in him being hospitalized out there for a month; full-blown psychosis; voices ordering him really bad things. We're lucky he's here still. So he's got schizophrenia now (meds work unless he does cocaine). It's been pretty awful. This place has been a sanitysaver for me! Lots of ups & downs. At one point he was planning to live in a tent under a local huge concrete storm drain.
Mentally he's doing really well. Main symptoms are sometimes sort of spacey. Anyway it's a huge burden for me & hard to detach. Has been living with us since June. Tried a few jobs part-time off & on. Had one for a couple of months before Christmas. Stress was building up. Drug-use over holidays was, I suspect, the straw that broke the camel's back in him having panic attack & walking out.
SO this readiness to move forward with the YMCA program is wonderful.
CMHA (Can Mental Health Assoc) has a wonderful Helping Overcome Psychosis Early program & our worker is great. It's client-driven, so he chooses how much use he makes of it.
Anyway, sorry for going into it. You seemed sincere in asking what the history was, so I wanted to tell you in more than a couple of sentences. The whole saga is here on the boards!! LOL
Thanks for being such a nice person & such a good support.
:-)) Kathryn
Posted by SLS on February 20, 2009, at 8:58:33
In reply to Info on son; schizophrenia Maybe ***triggers*** » SLS, posted by Kath on February 20, 2009, at 8:06:50
Thank you.
I feel like I know a whole lot more about you now. I'm sorry if it was painful for you to respond to my questions.
I won't say anything more, but...
(((Big hug)))
- Scott
Posted by fayeroe on February 20, 2009, at 9:38:42
In reply to 62, NOT going on 22!!, posted by Kath on February 19, 2009, at 15:06:56
Posted by Phillipa on February 20, 2009, at 12:28:22
In reply to Happy Birthday (nm) » Kath, posted by fayeroe on February 20, 2009, at 9:38:42
Kath so sorry didn't know it was your BD why didn't you say I'm horrible with dates my Son's the 22 me March 20 pices on the cusp. Are you pices. I appologize profusely for not at least going to social last night. Hugs for You Kath. And great about the Son ((((Kath))))) Always there for others. Love Jan ps don't think I even spelled pices right????? No wonder I'm such a mess.
Posted by Kath on February 20, 2009, at 18:35:07
In reply to Re: Info on son; schizophrenia Maybe ***triggers*** » Kath, posted by SLS on February 20, 2009, at 8:58:33
> Thank you.
>
> I feel like I know a whole lot more about you now. I'm sorry if it was painful for you to respond to my questions.
>
> I won't say anything more, but...
>
> (((Big hug)))
>
>
> - Scott
Strangely enough, no it wasn't painful Scott. I seem to be the type of person who finds that if people who I feel close to know the story, it helps lift a teeny bit of it from me. It's not hard for me to talk about. I imagine it's because it's partly not real to me.I've got some really good counselling happening. Our CMHA HOPE family counsellor, my own T, and my own "dual diagnosis" counsellor at the Addiction Services office, where my son has recently started going. He's hasn't done crack & crystal meth for over 2 years (since he came back from BC). Hasn't done cocaine since last Spring, except a one-time slip in early June. His friends mostly use ecstasy & ketamine - oh, and of course, alcohol! Not the most healthy things to do to your brain!! Especially for him! He turns 25 at the end of March. I am hoping that that might be a bit sobering for him, but who knows!
He phoned me today while I was out, to tell me that the lady at YMCA had called back & he has an appointment Monday afternoon. He's also doing the same Cognitive Behaviour Therapy book as I am (CBT) - Mind over Mood. So I suspect that will help him somewhat.
I'm glad you read that post Scott, even though it had a possible trigger in it. I just sort of assumed that people knew the story - I've sure posted enough about it, but not everyone reads every thread. It'd be nice to have enough time to do that. Sometimes I feel a gap in my 'knowing' people, simply because of that reason...not enough time to read everyone's stuff - especially on Psychology, which I find is a really supportive board also.
Thanks for the hugs Scott. :-)) They're ALWAYS welcome.
:-) Kath
Posted by Kath on February 20, 2009, at 18:37:03
In reply to Re: Happy Birthday, posted by Phillipa on February 20, 2009, at 12:28:22
Don't worry Phillipa - I don't even know ANYbody's birthday!!
I'm right on the cusp of Pisces & Aquarius. I think I have the sensitive aspect of Pisces & the analytical aspect of Aquarius. Apart from that, I don't know a lot about them.
Sorry you're having a rough time Phillipa.
((((((((((((((you)))))))))))))
luv, Kath
Posted by obsidian on February 20, 2009, at 20:04:11
In reply to Re: Happy Birthday » Phillipa, posted by Kath on February 20, 2009, at 18:37:03
Posted by Kath on February 20, 2009, at 20:19:26
In reply to Re: Info on son; schizophrenia Maybe ***triggers*** » Kath, posted by SLS on February 20, 2009, at 8:58:33
I felt sort of special (just inside myself) yesterday & I'm allowing that specialness to continue!
After all, if I have to be 62, well it's a big deal getting older, so what the heck - maybe in compensation, I deserve to have that special birthday feeling for a little longer!!! :-))
Plus I'm feeling glad it's the weekend.
Thanks all for the good wishes.
:-) Kath
This is the end of the thread.
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