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.
This 6-part series begins with Tales from the Psych Ward part I.
The post Cell Phones on Psych Wards—Yea or Nay? is the hub for all psychiatric hospitalization-related content on Mental Health @ Home.
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