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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4 to 28 of 28. Go back in thread:
Posted by Honore on August 13, 2007, at 15:28:33
In reply to awfulness, posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 9:57:32
I'm so sorry to hear that, Sunnydays. Is it possible to work out another way of paying, or maybe a sliding scale? I know how much you need the continuity that's provided by twice a week sessions.
That's so important for you. I can only imagine how devastated and in shock you must feel.
(((Sunny)))
Honore
Posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 15:29:21
In reply to Re: awfulness » sunnydays, posted by Dinah on August 13, 2007, at 11:46:23
Thanks Dinah. And my T is still on vacation, so I can't even call him and tell him. Makes me want to burst into tears every time I think about it. Maybe I can find a way to pay for it myself, but I'm a student and I need to save my money for grad school, so I'm not very much in favor of that idea. My mother doesn't think it's 'necessary' for me to go twice a week unless I'm in a crisis, she said once a week is 'plenty' and my dad thinks every other week is 'plenty'.
Uggh. I just wish I could talk to my T about it. He has a way of making horrible things like this sound like they're ok.
sunnydays
Posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 15:31:04
In reply to Re: awfulness » sunnydays, posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 12:07:36
Nope, I live in the US. Absolutely not free. A small part of me hopes my T will offer to do the second session a week free since once a long time ago when I wasn't sure if I could do therapy at all he offered to do once a week free. But I don't think he will offer, and it's not something I would expect him to offer to do because I already pay an incredibly reduced rate and he has to make a living somehow. It just hurts.
sunnydays
Posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 15:34:10
In reply to Re: awfulness, posted by Honore on August 13, 2007, at 15:28:33
> I'm so sorry to hear that, Sunnydays. Is it possible to work out another way of paying, or maybe a sliding scale? I know how much you need the continuity that's provided by twice a week sessions.
**** I already pay a very reduced price ($50 a session). I can't afford to pay it myself, though, as I need to save my money for grad school since I've been told I need to pay for that myself. I said above I'm hoping he'll offer to do it for free, but it's not something I'd ever ask for and I would not expect him to offer it at all because I understand he needs to make a living.
>
> That's so important for you. I can only imagine how devastated and in shock you must feel.**** Yes. And angry. Another way that my mother gets to control my life. She can say whatever reasons she wants, but I really think they can afford it. I wish I could talk to my T so so much. But I have to wait until Wednesday.
sunnydays
Posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 15:34:35
In reply to Re: awfulness, posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 15:31:04
Sorry. Are there no HMOs? or something like
that offering therapy assistance? Maybe asking
for resources at a hospital might help.Squiggles
Posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 15:49:33
In reply to Re: awfulness » sunnydays, posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 15:34:35
My therapist doesn't give receipts that are reimbursable through my insurance because my insurance requires a diagnosis on the receipt, and his receipts don't have a diagnosis. And asking for something at a hospital probably would get me a list of referrals to different therapists, and I have no interest in changing therapists. But thank you very much for your suggestions.
sunnydays
Posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 15:52:21
In reply to Re: awfulness » Squiggles, posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 15:49:33
Just tell your mother to economize on other
stuff, until you get the therapy you need.
There must be a way out -- good luck. You deserve
health care. ***** Michael Moore, where are you? :-)Squiggles
Posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 17:08:54
In reply to Re: awfulness » sunnydays, posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 15:52:21
Unfortunately it's not that easy. I wish it were. :(
sunnydays
Posted by Wittgenstein on August 13, 2007, at 17:14:36
In reply to Re: awfulness » sunnydays, posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 15:52:21
((((SD))))
My heart goes out to you. I also see my T twice a week and know how important it is.
Whenever you post about your T, I can't help but think what a wonderful caring man he is - what a great team you make. I know it's going to be really hard waiting until Wednesday, but trust your instincts - he'll help you through this, whatever happens.
Thinking about you.
Witti
PS. Squiggles - I assume you've seen 'Sicko'?? - is it as bad as it suggests in the US? How did you find the film? I felt it idealised the UK NHS somewhat as mental health care really isn't up to much, from my experience - but perhaps Brits are too critical of their health system in light of others. It was a really interesting and shocking film, I must admit.
Posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 17:24:25
In reply to Re: awfulness, posted by Wittgenstein on August 13, 2007, at 17:14:36
> ((((SD))))
>
> My heart goes out to you. I also see my T twice a week and know how important it is.
>
> Whenever you post about your T, I can't help but think what a wonderful caring man he is - what a great team you make. I know it's going to be really hard waiting until Wednesday, but trust your instincts - he'll help you through this, whatever happens.
>
> Thinking about you.
>
> Witti
>
> PS. Squiggles - I assume you've seen 'Sicko'?? - is it as bad as it suggests in the US? How did you find the film? I felt it idealised the UK NHS somewhat as mental health care really isn't up to much, from my experience - but perhaps Brits are too critical of their health system in light of others. It was a really interesting and shocking film, I must admit.It was definitely propaganda, but if it is true as Michael Moore portrays that Americans are sinking in their ability to get quality health care, it was good propaganda as a wake-up call for the country. I live in Canada and I think our province is excellent and getting better-- we have a shortage of drs., that's the problem. I do not know what it is like in the UK, but it sounds ideal and even better than it is in Canada and Australia. I think Moore perhaps does not take into consideration the fact that the US has such a huge population with many social problems, that other countries do not. Furthermore, with the current political events, there just isn't enough money to sink into that area of public health care needs. That would be my criticism-- that he did not expose the underlying social problems in the US that bring about public misery.
Posted by RealMe on August 14, 2007, at 0:03:12
In reply to awfulness, posted by sunnydays on August 13, 2007, at 9:57:32
I am really sorry about this, and there has to be a way to work something out. Could you do a part-time job one day per week and use that money for the other session? Could you work four hours on a Saturday or something like that and then use that money for the second session. I don't know; maybe you already work. And what about loans and/or an assistantship for grad school? There is always a way to pay for grad school if you get in.
Posted by DAisym on August 14, 2007, at 1:15:04
In reply to Re: awfulness » sunnydays, posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 15:52:21
Cutting back is really hard when you aren't ready. Did you just find this out?
Let us know how it goes on Wednesday. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
And...I think it is really hard for people who aren't in therapy to understand the frequency needs because they really don't understand therapy really. So I'm sorry your parents aren't supportive of 2x a week.
Posted by sunnydays on August 14, 2007, at 9:43:58
In reply to Re: awfulness » sunnydays, posted by RealMe on August 14, 2007, at 0:03:12
Unfortunately I already work, and it just isn't enough to pay for a second session. I'm sure I'll have to do loans for grad school, but I don't want to have them be any higher than they have to be.
I don't have any energy today, so I can't write more.
sunnydays
Posted by sunnydays on August 14, 2007, at 9:46:23
In reply to Re: awfulness, posted by DAisym on August 14, 2007, at 1:15:04
> Cutting back is really hard when you aren't ready. Did you just find this out?
*** Yes. I knew my mom was going to decide what to do, but I was really hoping I could convince her to pay for twice a week. But she thinks it's only appropriate for crisis.
>
> Let us know how it goes on Wednesday. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.**** Thank you. I will.
>
> And...I think it is really hard for people who aren't in therapy to understand the frequency needs because they really don't understand therapy really. So I'm sorry your parents aren't supportive of 2x a week.**** The weird thing is, my mom is in therapy. But she only goes once a week or every other week. I feel like she doesn't quite believe in therapy, even though she's been in it for years. And I know my dad doesn't believe in therapy.
sunnydays
Posted by 10derheart on August 15, 2007, at 17:08:07
In reply to Re: awfulness, posted by sunnydays on August 14, 2007, at 9:46:23
I'm thinking of you today.
I hope you saw him and you feel better. Try not to despair - suffering is soon followed by some relief, bad by good, sadness by joy....at least I see it that way. Without one, we'd have no idea what the other felt like. Such a hard truth, but sometimes if I can see that, just for a minute, it helps me (a little) not to feel too angry or hopeless about painful stuff.
The bads feel bad, the downs are low and feel unbearable, but we *can* bear them. You can bear them. Your T. has already helped you along the journey so much that I see you as stronger than you used to be here, even if you don't feel that way yourself always. I think you two can work even this problem out - together. I really believe that.
And Babble isn't limited to 1x or 2x a week...it can be 24/7. Not that it's the same as your T. by any means, but it's something to not feel so alone.
Sorry I'm not posting more. Know I always read your threads. Just that stuff about feelings for Ts is triggering me a lot lately, so I just can't speak.....
Let us know about today, 'kay?
Posted by sunnydays on August 15, 2007, at 17:20:49
In reply to sunny, posted by 10derheart on August 15, 2007, at 17:08:07
Today was ok. Nothing is really worked out yet, but we talked about it. We talked a lot about wanting something vs. trying to change my mom's mind. It wasn't a terribly wonderful session, but it was ok.
sunnydays
Posted by Squiggles on August 15, 2007, at 17:24:04
In reply to Re: awfulness » Wittgenstein, posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2007, at 17:24:25
Out to lunch; i can't really understand
the posts here -- they seem to be addressed
to people who know each other in RL. This
is not the place for me, for sure.I appreciated the explanation of what
therapy is about -- thank you.Squiggles
Posted by sunnydays on August 15, 2007, at 17:45:41
In reply to Re: awfulness, posted by Squiggles on August 15, 2007, at 17:24:04
I'm sorry Babble is not for you. I don't know anyone here in RL. We've all just been around a while, so we sort of get an idea of each other's history and remember past posts each other have made. I'm curious as to why it sounds like I know anyone in RL, but you certainly don't have to answer.
sunnydays
Posted by Squiggles on August 15, 2007, at 17:56:31
In reply to Re: awfulness » Squiggles, posted by sunnydays on August 15, 2007, at 17:45:41
> I'm sorry Babble is not for you. I don't know anyone here in RL. We've all just been around a while, so we sort of get an idea of each other's history and remember past posts each other have made. I'm curious as to why it sounds like I know anyone in RL, but you certainly don't have to answer.
>
> sunnydaysNo, i like babble very much; i just can't
relate to the therapy/personal emotional stuff.
I feel comfortable with med conversations that's
all. I've always liked objective converstations in e-mail; for some reason i find personal stuff either embarrassing or risky; i never feel good about it. No offense.Squiggles
Posted by wittgenstein on August 15, 2007, at 19:58:18
In reply to Re: awfulness » sunnydays, posted by Squiggles on August 15, 2007, at 17:56:31
Sunnydays - how are things going? Did you see you T today - are things any clearer now?
I hope you're holding up ok. Thinking of you.
Witti :)
Posted by sunnydays on August 15, 2007, at 21:28:14
In reply to How are things SD?, posted by wittgenstein on August 15, 2007, at 19:58:18
Hi,
I posted two or three posts above about how it went. Overall, it was ok. It's not really any clearer to me at this point what's going on or what's going to happen, but we did talk about it. I think it'll get clarified more on Friday.
I got really anxious and scared tonight, so I called my T. I think pretty soon he's going to get sick of me because this is the second time in 48 hours I've called him. And this time I asked him to call me back because I'm totally freaked out about what he thinks of me.
It just doesn't really feel like he's back yet, which I guess is to be expected.
sunnydays
Posted by sunnydays on August 16, 2007, at 20:53:58
In reply to Re: How are things SD?, posted by sunnydays on August 15, 2007, at 21:28:14
So an update, if anyone cares, on the continuing saga that is my life. I had asked my T to call me because I was freaking out last night. He called me today and left the nicest message. He offered to call me when I was home if I wanted, but I'm seeing him tomorrow, so I decided not. But in the message he said that he cares about me and he's really concerned about how lousy I've been feeling. And that he is honored and proud to work with me, and that I'm a courageous young woman who keeps trying even though it's so hard.
It was such a nice message.
sunnydays
Posted by RealMe on August 16, 2007, at 21:30:48
In reply to Re: How are things SD?, posted by sunnydays on August 15, 2007, at 21:28:14
I am so sorry you are getting freaked. Your therapist has not sounded like someone you could drive away, but I understand your concerns. You are in a crisis mode of sorts, and I think he understands that. So, I hope he calls back, and tomorrow let him know just how freaked you are so that you can work something out. (((((sunnydays)))). I hope that was okay.
RealMe (formerly OzLand)
Posted by sunnydays on August 16, 2007, at 21:42:28
In reply to Re: How are things SD? » sunnydays, posted by RealMe on August 16, 2007, at 21:30:48
Thanks RealMe. I like hugs. :) I'm absolutely dying for one in real life - I'm almost at the point where I wouldn't care if it were a complete stranger, I just crave human contact. My T did call back - I posted about it above. I'm so lucky to have him as my T.
sunnydays
Posted by RealMe on August 16, 2007, at 22:47:54
In reply to he called, etc., posted by sunnydays on August 16, 2007, at 20:53:58
This is fantastic! Makes me want to cry out of happiness for you.
RealMe (OzLand)
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