[~Christina]

IZ .... how did surgery go ?????

[komodo1971]

So, I had my "end evaluation"for disability with my current employer today. It is clear they want to get rid of me and push me into disability. And I don't want that, I am convinced I can work. But now I have to apply for it anyway. I will make the physician understand that being bipolar doesn't mean that I am not able to work and that anything they give me, has to be in support of getting a new job. I am not a happy camper

[Miss Laura]

Feeling good... away for a few days with my family to a lodge with a hot tub. 1 of 2 holidays this year like this. It's about 2 and a half hour drive from where I stay. It's meant to be raining the whole time but who cares lol!

Originally Posted by komodo1971

So, I had my "end evaluation"for disability with my current employer today. It is clear they want to get rid of me and push me into disability. And I don't want that, I am convinced I can work. But now I have to apply for it anyway. I will make the physician understand that being bipolar doesn't mean that I am not able to work and that anything they give me, has to be in support of getting a new job. I am not a happy camper

Sorry to hear that, komodo. Pushing someone into disability when they don't want to do it or when they feel they don't need to do it is a terrible thing to do.

I hope you're able to fix things and be able to continue working.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi Rose!
Thanks for your kind words.
Welcome back!

One of my eBay packages never arrived yesterday even though it was marked as "delivered."

I actually had two eBay packages that were supposed to come yesterday. One of them was in my mailbox already, but the other was not. I'm guessing (1.) mailman put the other in someone else's mailbox, (2.) he left it out and someone took it by mistake, or (3.) he marked it as delivered when it wasn't delivered at all.

I've found that #3 has happened a couple of times. Only once has someone taken it by mistake and returned it to me.

Hopefully it turns up. It was $40 worth of stuff. Not the end of the world, but still...

Anyway, doing ok. Just restless again. I can't concentrate on my work because I have too many things going on in my mind. So, I'm just internetting today. lol.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by hopeless2015

Doing ok, seems like it should be later in the week. Excessive heat warming tomorrow through Sunday here.

Hugs to all

Same here! And my youngest is going to the art fair! All i could do is tell him to keeep hydrated and use sunblock.

[Sunflower123]

Just checking in. Vraylar works for me. Usually at this time I am in the depths of despair but I’m in high spirits 3 days after M left. Definitely turned a corner. I packed my schedule with interesting and fun events to get around the depression and it’s not there! I still look forward to attending these events but for different reasons now.

Having serious problems with motivation right now but I’m working on pushing through with the help of my life coach. Checking in with her every day is keeping me accountable.

Warm wishes to all and many hugs to those that are struggling.

I feel a lot better today. I'm going to head out and run some errands after I eat lunch. I'm glad it's Friday. I look forward to my hubby being home.

[Moose72]

I'm in all day today. Heat index is at 110 for today. Im just cleaning for the inspection- even though its not till the 9th. "Getting ready to get ready" as my mom says. I really nrrd to tackle my sink in my bathroom- I got the toilets done - the Clorox bleach tablets really work!

[hopeless2015]

I'm off today. Got a new comforter set drying. Can't wait to get it on the bed lol. Didn't spend too much on it cause the cat will end up snagging it like the old one but oh well, it'll look nice for a bit and we are nuts about our cat.

I can't remember if I took my am meds..hate when I do that!

Hugs to all . Stay hydrated if your in the excessive heat like we are

Originally Posted by ~Christina

IZ .... how did surgery go ?????

Thanks for asking! It went well. Taking some painkillers for the initial pain, so... well, I've been catching up on sleep(!) Probably will just alternate sleeping and dvd watching today. Made it through 1 episode last night. Then all I wanted to do was sleep. Just had a bowl of cereal and am ready to go back to sleep. Typing with one hand, even on laptop for now. It's kind of bulky bandaging, palm is tender, and fingers are slow and weak just yet. Being good, keeping it elevated, using ice etc.

Everyone involved was very nice.

I aim for being a little more active tomorrow.

I hope things ease up for you soon, Christina!!!!!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by komodo1971

So, I had my "end evaluation"for disability with my current employer today. It is clear they want to get rid of me and push me into disability. And I don't want that, I am convinced I can work. But now I have to apply for it anyway. I will make the physician understand that being bipolar doesn't mean that I am not able to work and that anything they give me, has to be in support of getting a new job. I am not a happy camper

Hi komodo!

Sounds like you are in a very tough spot.

Are they trying to put you out on Short-Term Disability or Long-Term disability?

Can you refer to your policy to see if your insurer has "exclusions" written into the policy? (For instance, we will cover 1 year of a mental health claim. We will cover all other disabilities until retirement age, with the appropriate documentation. Something like this?)

If they are putting you onto STD,how long does it cover you before you must go onto LTD? it is often 6 months.

I don't know your situation and/or your employer's disability plans/coverage, so it's extra hard to get a full picture.

Why is your employer looking to put you on disability?

If an employee is out ill too often and/or an employee's work quality is suffering, a"kind" employer might suggest a "disability" option as opposed to "firing" an employee. Please do not take what I am writing personally. I honestly know nothing in your case. Just sharing some of what I have known about employers and disability.

If you go out on LTD, in most cases, you would be required to apply for SSDI. If/when your SSDI gets approved, your disability pay from your employer will be reduced by the amount SSDI contributes. (In this case, the employer is often paying VERY little to the disabled employee, as compared to the employees's former salary. In other words, a disabled employees costs the company MUCH less if/when put out on disability, esp LTD. Yet, the employee still costs more than if "fired.," as I see it.)

PLEASE do not take my word for anything! PLEASE!!!

This is a big deal with your employer and with your career. Please do review the disability policies/coverage. Please also check to see if you have any right to an appeal with your employer. (Some large companies offer assistance through HR; an unbiased 3rd party who will act as an advocate to an employee.)

You may even want to get a legal consult. Often, attorneys will offer an initial consult without charge. Some charge though.

Another thought: If you are in the U.S., you might check to see if there is any type of free of low cost "legal aid." Some states have legal aid offices where people can get advice and, often, representation. Some Legal aid office also have a section or monies devoted to disability issues. (You might find out more about these options by calling your State's Attorney General's office, either directly, or through the Consumer Advocacy Division of the Attorney General's Office.)

And...most states have a State Dept of Labor. depending upon the state, the DOL has some degree of involvement in employer/employees issues. You can call the office in your state, or go online, to see what role is played by your state's DOL.

There is a forum here all about disability and work -related issues. You might also take a look in that forum.

I hope I have been ore helpful than not.
PLEASE do not take my word for anything in this very important matter.

PLEASE do look into your options, your coverage, your rights.

Best of Luck to YOU!!!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

Thanks for asking! It went well. Taking some painkillers for the initial pain, so... well, I've been catching up on sleep(!) Probably will just alternate sleeping and dvd watching today. Made it through 1 episode last night. Then all I wanted to do was sleep. Just had a bowl of cereal and am ready to go back to sleep. Typing with one hand, even on laptop for now. It's kind of bulky bandaging, palm is tender, and fingers are slow and weak just yet. Being good, keeping it elevated, using ice etc.

Everyone involved was very nice.

I aim for being a little more active tomorrow.

I hope things ease up for you soon, Christina!!!!!

Hi IZ!!

I hope you are comfortable as can be today.

I have known people who have had the same procedure and they were in agony! I have also known some people who were fairly comfortable by 48 hours post-surgery.

I guess it's a toss?

If attitude counts, I am sure you will be just fine!
You have one of the most upbeat and hopeful viewpoints I have ever witnessed. And... I thank you!

Much Love to YOU~

[Scooter9]

I think I actually had a baseline day yesterday! That would be the first time in 19 months!

And I think I can feel a bit of motivation starting. It's not strong enough to actually get me to do something but I can see that I'm thinking more thoughts about doing something. These thoughts come up on their own and I haven't had them in ages so it's nice to experience that.

I've been honing my Photoshop skills for the past couple of weeks. I think I'm pretty good at it but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and learn some new tools and techniques. I'm just experimenting and learning. I'm getting better at removing unwanted things like people from photos and making it look like they were never there.

I didn't hit my baseline today but that's ok. Lots of coffee kept me from getting too low.

I'm visiting a friend tonight who wants some of my photos to display in his office. He offered to pay for them but I just said he can pay to get them printed but I'm giving him the photos for free.

[Scooter9]

By the way, check out today's Google doodle - it's a great video about the 50th anniversary of reaching the moon.

Just visit Google and click the logo. If you missed it, search for Google doodles and you'll end up on a page showing you all the past doodles.

Edit: here's a link to the video

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

Just checking in. Vraylar works for me. Usually at this time I am in the depths of despair but I’m in high spirits 3 days after M left. Definitely turned a corner. I packed my schedule with interesting and fun events to get around the depression and it’s not there! I still look forward to attending these events but for different reasons now.

Having serious problems with motivation right now but I’m working on pushing through with the help of my life coach. Checking in with her every day is keeping me accountable.

Warm wishes to all and many hugs to those that are struggling.

I am so happy for you!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Scooter9

I think I actually had a baseline day yesterday! That would be the first time in 19 months!

And I think I can feel a bit of motivation starting. It's not strong enough to actually get me to do something but I can see that I'm thinking more thoughts about doing something. These thoughts come up on their own and I haven't had them in ages so it's nice to experience that.

I've been honing my Photoshop skills for the past couple of weeks. I think I'm pretty good at it but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and learn some new tools and techniques. I'm just experimenting and learning. I'm getting better at removing unwanted things like people from photos and making it look like they were never there.

I didn't hit my baseline today but that's ok. Lots of coffee kept me from getting too low.

I'm visiting a friend tonight who wants some of my photos to display in his office. He offered to pay for them but I just said he can pay to get them printed but I'm giving him the photos for free.

Hey scooter!

I am thrilled for you! I hope you have many more baseline days soon!!!

It's nice of you to give your photos to your friend!!!

Photoshop! I know nothing about it!!!

I am sure you do a great job with it!

Much Love to You and to Your Family!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Scooter9

By the way, check out today's Google doodle - it's a great video about the 50th anniversary of reaching the moon.

Just visit Google and click the logo. If you missed it, search for Google doodles and you'll end up on a page showing you all the past doodles.

LOL! I saw this today and thought of you!

[Scooter9]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

LOL! I saw this today and thought of you!

Aww thanks WC

[Wander]

Not sleeping well but otherwise managing symptoms. Yesterday was great. My partner and I listened to music, watched TV, or chatted all day. Woke up in panic this morning but ok now. I keep forgetting I just walked out of a psych ward. No wonder I feel weird.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Wander

Not sleeping well but otherwise managing symptoms. Yesterday was great. My partner and I listened to music, watched TV, or chatted all day. Woke up in panic this morning but ok now. I keep forgetting I just walked out of a psych ward. No wonder I feel weird.

I hope the feelings of panic will subside asap.

So glad your partner can be with you!

[Daonnachd]

Hey, all.
Not sure what to say. I was trying to fill out a survey for my local town's civic architecture and public space usage, but couldn't make any decisions. That's a sign of depression for me, indecision.

On the other hand, I finally got to the store to buy some arachnicide. I have several large black widow spiders living around the outside of our house. I've sprayed and killed two already. Huzzah!

So, to all of you: may your public space be ample and the arachnids be dead.

[Wild Coyote]

I am trying to get through the day today after another very rough night.

I have"stumbled upon" more info about H's "activities." I had known enough already and have not been motivated to find more. I guess this is how my"discoveries" had begun, quite by accident, that is.

Am having lots of night terrors and some flashbacks.

I continue to lose time, even though I look fine and act okay. I have NEVER been in any "trouble" for anything I have done while dissociated. Most people never know I am/have been dissociated in their company, even those I know quite well. My current pdoc can sometimes tell; yet, most times, not.

If you get a note from me and it is "scrambled," don't be alarmed and please let me know. I have written quite a few that were never sent because I "came to" in time and saw the gibberish. It is so bizarre, the messages that is, they make me laugh. Maybe sad, but very true. I bust a gut!!!

I might be dissociated right now, I dunno.
I'll know more about this in a few hours or in a day or so.

A couple of notes like this have made it to a friend or two.
I do not always do this when experiencing dissociation. This is a new, different flavor of dissociation for me. I hope it stops soon!

I hope everyone is staying cool and is having a great Friday!!!

Love to All ~

[yellow_fleurs]

WC I am so sorry. Are you able to keep a safe distance from him yet? Do you have enough support right now, like could you use more frequent therapy sessions or something? Take good care of yourself if you can! Give yourself all the compassion and pampering you can.