Just posting.........(good read for those suffering depression :-) )........

[Still in Limbo]

WOW, All of You are Amazing!!! This is a Very Good Topic, and I Hope Many Read this, Guests and Members alike, because the Information and Opinions being given Here are Priceless, and won't be found in any Doctors Office!! The Thought Process are coming from Injured People that have had to Make Major Changes in Their Lives, because of Our Injuries, and also still have to Deal with Day to Day, and then also have to Deal with any Major Stresses that Arise, such as Jayne and Bill, Bummer, and Many Others on Here that have had a Major Change Added to Their Plates!! Red, I Totally Understand what You are Talking about when You Mentioned You were the Strong Person that could be Relied on, (I Still Think You are a Very Strong One, by the Way!) when I was Well, I had 3 Different Phrases I would Use for a Tough Situation:

If Asked for Help on Something Difficult from Someone, and We came Up with a Plan of Attack I would Say, "That Dog Will Hunt!!" and We would get it Done!

If a Situation arose were Others weren't Sure of how to Handle it and I came up with an Avenue to Use to Correct the Situation I would Say,"If I Tell You the Mouse could Move the House, Hook Him Up!!"

And when Faced with a Situation Very Hard, and not Really having a Plan, But knowing Something needed Done I would Say, "That's No Hill for a Climber!!" and We would Wing it until We got it Handled!!

Now I can Only Set on the Side Lines, and Only Give Advice, and it's Hard as He** to not be Able to Jump in and Use My Brain and Body as I Used to to Help Others!!

We All have Past Memories We can Look back on and Smile, but We also, (And I know I had to do this, and I'm Sure Others have also) had to Re-Invent Ourselves to Adjust to Our Injuries, and that is a Major Job, and a Very Difficult One!! Thank You All for Your Thoughts, and Chris, Thank You for Starting this Thread, it's Good Medicine for Soo Many Of Us!!

[chrischris]

Cap, Still, Red, Bummer, Jayne and others: Thank you so much for your sharing and together I think we understand each other's stresses and how we just can't be who we used to be. With that being said, I also think it is important that if possible, those of us that have to look in the face of depression and anxiety and panic because of our injuries, do get some counseling along with our medications that are so easily prescribed.

Today, I am having a psycho-therapy session with my psychologist and I am so looking forward to it. I haven't seen him for several weeks and I have so much to share. The only problem is that I only get an hour. LOL! I cry every time I go to psycho-therapy, and he makes sure there is box of kleenex on my lap. I think there has only been one session that I didn't cry and I felt so proud of myself. It was a time when I shared about something positive that happened in my case and I felt so empowered. I loved that feeling, but unfortunately, WC stomps on every positive and makes a negative out of it.

I guess my point here is that I feel it is very important to get some counseling when you are suffering depression. Depression can eat you alive, and believe me, I Know!

OK, gotta go for now. Take care everyone and have a good day. I will be back later this afternoon.

[red1030]

Hi all... I agree Still, Chris while you were just talking when you starting this thread, sort of sharing out loud I think.... you did an amazing thing. You broke the barrier to allow many of us to discuss something that is very near to our hearts, at least to mine. Thank you so much. You brought up two situations as I read it: 1. That you do not handle or cope with life as you did in the past. This also includes things such as how you prioritize your day for things of importance. 2. Then you brought up about how the family views your situation. Chris both of these subjects are so relevant to what I know I live with every day so having an avenue to discuss this is so very important to me. I don't feel so alone right. I also believe that "guilt" is something that I feel each day and would most likely believe that most of you do as well. I feel this guilt because I can't be relied on at times to get the job done, my house does not stay as picked up and organized as in the past, I don't always get my painting done as I should, my anxiety will rule my day and then I am very unproductive, I don't have the energy to give to others as I did in the past, I don't earn an income... (I have an income, but have I earned it...that always lays in my mind), and the list could go on and on. On the other hand, there are days when I am strong enough to look past all that I can't do anymore... and release myself of the guilt of having contracted MS. There are days when I can say to myself, my path in life has changed and that change may include differences in how I approach situations and my life. This change may also include that I may step back now where in the past I would have ran for the opportunities. THe other day when I was at the VA in Rehab, the OT person ask me why do I not go back and finish my Ph.d since I am so close and since it was a life long dream. In the past I always said, why waste the money, since I am still paying for what I have done so far... (in my head I believe I don't have the right to spend more money on me when I will never be able to work again.... and what I still owe for only two years I could buy a luxury car with or pay for Alexia's first 4 years in an IV league college if I wanted... etc etc). This being the case, I just don't do it. However, I also know that I could not stand the stress of last minute assignments, the need to think on my feet etc. Consequently I said to the OT person, it is not my dream any longer, my path as changed and it is ok with me. My path now is a path of reaching for my dreams, but allowing the dreams to change or to lessen so that I can be more successful and not feel guilty all the time becasue I am not successful as in the past. What I am saying is simple: When I managed people, I worked on a concept that says.... if you need 10 things done, but you ask for only 8 which is very reachable for an employee then the employee walks away feeling very good about their day...in otherwords they feel successful. when a person feels successful then all other baggage leaves and this opens up their mind to work and be productive in what ever field they may be in. consequently with in only a short time, this employee will be giving you 12 things that are accomplished daily when only 10 were needed, so not only is the employee successful knowing that he or she has done a job well, but the organization is successful also. Always remember in life... that the admiral or general does not take or climb the mountain ... it is the troops that do it to raise the flag... however, it is the general who benefits indirectly. I have tried to apply this principal to me. To accept the things that I can not complete by changing my expectations of my self so that I can feel good about what I do complete. But even deeper than that, I go back to... the reality is that life is not about what we complete in terms of task, it is more about the path that we lay in terms of good deeds and in terms of reaching into your self and knowing who you are ... we so often think we are what we did, versus knowing we are whats already in our hearts...our belief's, our morals, our ethics etc. etc...being a friend to others, having an impact on the people around us... and I can do that from a chair...from a computer... as in this case, Chris Chris has done for me...thank you chris...you are the best... love Red

[monster]

I didn't read through all of the replies CC but all I can say is I've done my very best to learn not to stress the things I cannot control. Now granted I can't always do this but I have lowered my stress level immensely by realizing that I do not control the the entire universe (know matter what anyone else tells you, LMAO )! Right now I have control over my actions, my garage sale and sometimes over my dogs, LOL! That's about all I have control over at the moment.

I figure if God wants me back in Texas then hopefully he'll manage to send people to my garage sale this weekend!!!

Please try not to stress over the uncontrollable things. I know it's hard to do but it's worth it. That used to be all I did but after Randy passed I now realize life is to short and it's not worth it, all it's doing is cutting down our life span.

I hope you are okay and wish you nothing but the bestest sweetie

Hugs,
monster

PS - Yes, I know there is no such word as bestest but sometimes you gotta make 'em up as ya go.

[sweet tooth]

i have to admit it being in the hospital these past few days has brought back WAY to many memories and feelings of depression on me and i dont like it

[Still in Limbo]

Sweets, Just Look around at Your Loving Family at Your Side, and that Depression should Leave it One Minute!! I have only had the Honor of Meeting You and Yours for a Couple of Hours, but it seems as if I have known You All of My Life!! You have a Great and Very Loving Family, something All of the Money in the World could not Buy, and You Stand as the Matriarch for them, and Their Love and Respect for You just Flows from Them!! You should be Very Proud, You and Skeeter have Raised Beautiful Kids, and the Love the 2 of You Share will Last Forever!!

[red1030]

Sweet tooth... what still says is absolutely correct. I can't wait to see you all..love Red