My usual psychiatrist on this ward is away this week, so I’m seeing a different psychiatrist for the week. Right off the bat he told me he’s hard of hearing and uses hearing aids along with some other device thingy to amplify sound. My speech is really soft, and it’s hard for people of normal hearing to hear everything I’m saying. Not a good combination, and I had to repeat everything, sometimes more than once. He also felt the need to dig into the minutiae my history, which I wasn’t particularly keen to go through once, much less having to repeat it all multiple times. It’s been exhausting.
I noticed while the doctor was flipping through my chart that there was a page printed off from my blog. I’m kind of curious when that was from. My psychiatrist on the ward here had asked if I wanted him to look at it, and I said no. I was thinking of telling him he could look at it, but then I changed my mind. So I’ve never actually given anyone my blog URL, although I’m pretty easy to Google, which apparently someone did.
My brother came by Tuesday evening to take me home to see the guinea piggoos. It was nice to see them. The babies have gotten scaredy-cat-ish from not having anyone around most of the time for the last couple of weeks. My mom is going to be coming to stay at my place next week, and it’ll be good for them to be able to get veggies daily rather than the couple times a week my brother is going over to feed them. My brother will come by again on Saturday to take me home for another pass, and he’s going to bring my niece along, who just had her second birthday earlier this week.
I ordered some colouring books from Amazon, and that’s the main way that I’ve been passing time. I’m not a group participation kind of person, so the groups they run here on the ward don’t interest me at all.
The ECT scheduling person is away this week, so I guess I’ll have to wait until next week to find out if they can bump up the treatments from two to three times a week.
I guess that’s about it for this update. Thanks everyone for your support – it really means a lot to me.
You can also read Tales from the Psych Ward part I | part II | part III | part IV | part VI
Group in the ward has always been a cluster fuck to me but if you don’t participate here, they extend your stay.
Weird (and wrong!) that people aren’t given a choice without consequences. Group work and sharing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Ikr.
I agree.
Oh that seems rather excessive.
I pray your ECT treatments go well. Peace and blessings be with you, Ashley Leia.
Thanks so much!
You are welcome.
Your psychiatrists were probably scared that their patient knew more than they did so they had to Google some terms and came up with your blog! 😉
So glad you got to visit your piggos and that they’ll have some company next week. Sending all my best – and continued wishes for 3x/week!
Thanks, lovely. 💕
Oh Ashley, it’s so wonderful to read up on you but ugh, what an ordeal you must be going through. Good for you keeping your wits and connecting with us here! <3
I think I know what kind of thingy your doctor is using in conjunction with the hearing aids – they have advanced the technology these days so much that in some cases, bluetooth can be incorporated into the aids. I'm familiar with this as I am hearing challenged also, as you may remember. Maybe that's what he's using too…
And I'm glad you updated us on the guinea pigs. I was wondering what was happening with them!! 🙂
Technology is so fancy these days!
I’m very glad my brother is able to take care of the piggoos.
Coloring books are a great way to pass the time. When I was in the hospital getting ECT I had one and found out I’m great at colored pencil art. I haven’t colored since, though 😣. Have a good night!
Colouring isn’t something that’s ever crossed my mind outside of hospital, but it’s such a perfect in-hospital activity.
I can’t believe you are still in the hospital. I mean, I believe you, but, you sound so good! Hang in there!
Thanks, lovely. 💕
Hugs 💚🍀
Thanks, and hugs back! 🤗💚
Sorry to hear that your psychiatrist and you had issues with communication. I’m so glad you’re able to write on here from there. xoxo
Me too. xo
Continuously thinking of you and hoping the best for you. Also it’s great that you got to see the guinea pigs again! ❤
Thanks 💕
Fur babies make things challenging at times, but they’re worth it. I’m glad you went out, and glad you have plans to do more.
You sound like things are starting to feel better: I’m glad 💝
Yeah,, this hospital stay started off as a disaster, but things have definitely improved since then. 💕
I’m thinking of you! I was wondering who was looking after the guinea pigs, glad they’re OK too.
I don’t think I would have been willing to come into hospital if I hadn’t felt confident he’d be able to take care of the piglets.
Funny how easily searchable people are these days. I am careful what I share on my blog and yet people still find me. My name is not anonymous and I am easily searchable. Coloring books sound like a great way to help pass the time. Have you tried origami? It’s really fun and I get more joy giving my birdies away to strangers, patients, colleagues etc.
I’ve never tried origami, but that’s a great idea.
Paper hearts and paper cranes are my favorite things to make. There’s lots of youtube tutorials for instructions, thank goodness. I highly recommend this as I find it very therapeutic. It takes practice to get the hang of it but it’s really easy after that! 😊💕 Maybe there is a tutorial for lucky clovers since it’s St. Patrick’s Day 🍀
Cool!
It is so good to hear from you. Take care.
💕
I’m glad you got to see your guinea piggoos! A while ago I had the idea to start a non-profit pet resort for people in your exact situation to leave their fur babies at low or no cost. It hasn’t panned out, yet, but I do have plenty of land to build on!
That’s a fantastic idea!
Thanks! I’ve been to the psychiatric ward multiple times but never since I became a dog mom. Shortly after I adopted my first, I became severely depressed. I was single at the time, which made me wonder what people do with their dogs. People shouldn’t be burdened with boarding fees when they’re getting help with mental health!!
Definitely.
Glad that you got to see your guinea pigs, and that your mom and brother are helping out. Best of luck next week 🙂
Thank you xo
I’m surprised you are allowed to have access to add to your blog. I wasnt even allowed my own pillow from home when I was inpatient.
They have a couple of computers for patient use in the ward dining room. I don’t get much access to my phone, though; my doctor has given me “privileges” to have it for half an hour a day.
You are showing lots of resourcefulness. Hope you get ect bumped more frequently. If psychiatrist can’t hear you, can they get a translator (aka yeller)?
I contemplated asking for a translator/yeller, but decided that might just make the whole thing more of a gong show. Today is the last day with deaf psychiatrist.
I always speak softly. And also deliberately. My husband and children are so SO loud and tell me that they can never hear me. I on the other hand have created a hand single of taking my open hand and slowly closing my fingers to my thumb (like a shadow puppet of a bird) to use so that I don’t feel like they are screaming at me.
My dysfunctional and chaotic house always had people screaming at each other.
I do better one on one than in group therapy. My 1st stay was 35 years ago when my parents placed me in an adult psych unit over an hour from home.
I was 16 and there were some legit scary people there but I tried to avoid them. I had limited group time though and it allowed me to complete my homework in my room.
My first stay as an adult, participation in group was required.
I love coloring, using pens are my favorite. It totally helps to ground me.
Colouring is great for grounding.
I’m glad group participation isn’t required here. None of the groups sound interesting even if I was more of a group participation kind of gal.
My grandma is mostly deaf, and for years I’ve had to bellow for her to hear me. But living by myself with just the guinea pigs, home is a delightfully quiet place for me.
I ❤️ the quiet.
I think it is why I write so much during the night while everyone is sleeping. Though it sucks for sleeping
I like waking up early when it’s quiet and peaceful and the rest of the world is still asleep.
I’m so glad your getting to go on leave, so you can see the guinea pigs, pet therapy is wonderful!
I’m sorry the psychiatrist you normally see is away this week!
I am not a fan of seeing alternative doctors. I much prefer to see dr. Barry when I am on the ward.
Sending love and hugs! Xoxo
Thanks, lovely! 💕
Wishing you more strength and luck 🍀 hope the therapy will help you! And that the coloring books will provide some peace of mind. 🤗 Thank you for the update!
Thanks! 💚
You’re very welcome 🤗 have a lovely weekend ♥
Thanks! Same to you! 🤗
Thank you 🌸
Appreciate the update. That’s good that you have family support and that you were able to see the guinea pigs! Wishing you continued recovery.
Thank you 💕
glad to hear you’re doing okayish. I’m so happy to hear you got to see the piggies! take good care of yourself…xx
Thanks, lovely lady 💕
My goodness, I am thinking of you Ashley. It can be so frustrating not feeling heard, especially when you are naturally more soft spoken. Sending you love, and thinking of you each day. I am glad you were able to get out to see your guinea pigs, and that your brother will be bringing your Niece by too. Happy Belated birthday for her! I hope you are finding some restful moments with colouring in between appointments. I am hoping for you they will be able to set up more frequent ECT next week. I am rooting for you, you have so much strength in you <3
Thanks, lovely 💕
I’m so glad you can update us and connect whilst you endure this to get your treatment. I hope you get it bumped up so can get home to your fur babies soon – love and hugs 💞💞💞
Thanks. Love you 💕
You are like me in that I have a soft voice too…and often people don’t hear me.
Yay for colouring books… 💞
Glad guineas are getting looked after…
I’m very glad my brother is able to look after the piglets.
Been thinking of you! I hope the print of your blog won’t be harmful.
💕💕💕
I am so glad for you that you are getting family support and a pass to see your pets. I am also sorry the ECT schedule bump has not yet occurred. Maybe next week? And sorry also that you are seeing a new doctor while your doctor is out. I find the whole trust thing with the medical establishment is very important especially when hospitalized. At least for me, it is hard to get to know another doctor in that environment and build that needed trust in a one or two day window. Yeah for coloring books and being on the mend…. !:)
The doctor filling in was okay, but I found it annoying that he wanted to dig into stuff from years ago when it didn’t seem to accomplish anything useful. It was quite draining meeting with him. There’s a different doctor filling in this coming week before my regular doctor is back, so I’ll have someone new to get used to.
That is tough to reinvent the wheel every few days with a new doctor. Hoping it will go well with the new guy/gal next week.
Thank you!
So happy you got to see the fur babies! I bet they can’t wait to have you home, but it’s good that your mom is going to keep them company 🙂 Is there anything else you would like from Amazon? Do you have a wish list that we could buy stuff that gets sent to you? Xx
That’s lovely of you to mention it, but I’ve now got enough colouring stuff to keep me occupied for months!