My Hospital Stay

[Bast]

@utopia@soul @BlueBay @Shaz51

Hi Hon

Glad to hear that your depressive symptoms are improving and your bravery continues to shine. Utterly scary stuff to have experienced chest and arm pain. Although your insight is clearly evolving so fast - it will be beneficial, i do recall this. I do feel for you and fully empathise with the medication changes and adverse reactions, titration down can be so incredibly hard. At least you are in a safe place where you can be adequately supported - I hope. 

Today I went through the panic thing simply due to a phone contact from psychologist, I know intellectually this is absurd. I completely go into overdrive with phone calls, anxiety becomes terror and fear and then the panic sets in, then it gets even more gorgeous - tearfulness goes on rampage. i have now received the IME report that has led to the workcover claim approval from psychologist. The insurer, after repeated requests, finally allowed my access to the report.

Today I went to visit Odin in his room Twice. Odin was increasingly receptive to head butt kisses, a little play and pats. I now realise that although Odin is actually a very large Bengal he has never been allowed to develop from being a kitten. Now I have the essence there is much hope for Odin. I am certain he has spent a lot of his life locked in a room alone, never been encouraged to play and has had repeated behavioural maltreatment. We are now working as a team regarding the biting and scratching. The method is simple behavioural therapy - biting and scratching are responded to with a firm NO, withdrawal of pats and a hand/finger upright. Once the moment has resolved Odin again receives positive attention. One step at a time, although I am so relieved that he has improved already.

Today has been another bad one, although it has helped to spend thoughtful time with Odin and I subsequently managed enough to clear my poor thinking sufficiently to write 3 necessary client reports. Bed time is now warranted as I get so exhausted.

Utopia and all

Please be kind to you

Bastless & Odin mother to be

[Faith-and-Hope]

Hi @Amber0506 and welcome to the forums ....  ice to meet you.

[utopia]

@Bast. I'm glad they finally released the IME Report to you. You are entitled to have a copy of it. Create a file called IME & keep them all together. It makes it easier to access what report you need, easily.
Well done witg Odin. You are obviously meant to be his new mum and carer. Seems like you have the patience of a saint. And the experience to see it through. Odin is one lucky fella.
Keep your chin up. You are doing well

[soul]

Hope you've had a good day @utopia. Got anything interesting happening this weekend?

[utopia]

@soul - love the acrobatic cocky.
Yesterday was a really good day. Almost no chest pain - just a tiny niggle. Was laughing and having fun with other patients. Did Art Therapy.
Went to bed at 11.15 last night. Woke for 2nd time at 2am - got a calmer to have me sleep - don't have sleeping meds.
Still woke so many times during the night - fully awake by 5am. Got dressed at 6am. Thought I'd get a leave pass to have a smoke outside. As smokers courtyard doesn't open til 7.30am. They tell me it's too dangerous to go outside - because it's dark. I said the outside of the building is lit up like it's Christmas season. Then they said it's too cold. I had my warm clothes on. Then they said I can't go out til 7am. It will be light then. Safer. Bloody long long night when you're awake and not aloud to smoke

[soul]

Good morning @utopia - glad you had a good day yesterday. Hopefully more of those to come. I can empathise with the restless sleep. Me too. I didn't fall asleep until 1:30am or so. Then I had a really weird dream. Haven't had those for a while. Can't seem to sleep in no matter how tired I am. 

What did you create in art therapy? Nice to hear that you are socialising with the other peeps there and are having a chuckle. 

Trust now you have been released!

[Owlunar]

Hi @utopia

I love that agile cocky too - it seems he is for a different kind of day

About the people not letting you out for a smoke - could they not just say "No" rather than go through the "Too dark" - "Too cold" etc - really frustrating

How are you travelling? I hope you are getting some really good help with this session in hospital - how long as that been now. I have missed quite a bit for the last couple of days - I get busy at times

So I do wish you the best and hope that you are recovering

Dec

[utopia]

Didn't take my sleeper last night. Thought I'd take it if I woke through the night. Woke twice, but rolled over and fell straight asleep again. Wide awake at 7 this morning. I was easily able to wait the 30 minutes for smokers yard to open.
The other day we were making soothing boxes and 'tools' to put in it.
I made sure my box is big enough to hold a box of Maltesers. Lol.
I made 2 sachet bags. In one I put in crushed eucalyptus leaves - love the smell.
Today I walked a few streets near the hospital and picked citrus leaves from gardens. I'm drying them now in front of my hospital room window. Then I will rip them up and put in the other satchel bag. Love the smell.
The other week I made a worry bead - anti anxiety braclet. I hold it in my hand. If I'm worrying - I turn the big bead. If it's slight anxiety - I turn the smaller beads. So that will also go into my soothing box.
I bought some nice wrapping paper yesterday. And in the next creative art class - I'll wrap my box and lid. I want it to look like a present. So when I need to self sooth - even the outside of the box looks calming. Or hopefully it may bring excitement at the thought of opening a present.
I have some bright sunny yellow - super soft material to put in my box. Feels a bit like my comforting dressing gown.
I also have 4 different types of gumnuts to put in my box.
When I get home I'll put in my favorite soothing music cd.
Now I just have to find a good comedy dvd to add. Maybe a british comedy series.
So today is a good day.
Love to everyone. ♥♡♥♡♥

[soul]

Wonderful news that you had a good sleep @utopia. I like the idea of a soothing box. Some nice scents - great addition. Funny video - maybe Fawlty Towers? Gumnuts sounds like a thing a cockatoo would like. Keen to know what else you will put in it. 

And making the box attractive and cosy is delightful. How big is this box? Shoebox size? It is a good day for you. Hope it's the start of a very good week. 

[utopia]

Hi @soul. It's a large shoe/boot box. Will also add a sudoku book and a good hard rock cd - for when I need to move and dance.
Have you made one?