I'm so sorry that you are going through this, Epic. As Burrell mentioned, many here have been or are going through this. It is particularly difficult to manage to take care of you, but necessary because you aren't any good to anyone when exhausted. I hope that the medical staff come up with an effective course of treatment to give both you and your mom the relief you need. Coping~ma in abundance in addition to the health~ma.

Epic, that's so tough. And I find myself in the same boat WRT to wanting a partner, especially when I'm sick or really stressed. I think it's pretty natural to wish one had help and support!

I was on the annual alumni cruise (cheese/wine on a boat for two hours, not like overnight cruise) and one girl I was talking to who is about 35 (I assume, based on when she graduated) said she hired a matchmaker! I was horrified and intrigued.

All the support ~ma in the world, Epic.

And Welcome! Welcome! ltc Francesca Ruth! I too, share the middle name. Also, Tina Belcher does too.

Just a drive by to say hello and disappear again. Just keeping up on Facebook is becoming a part-time job!

Epic wanting that support is normal. It's not anti feminist.

I think my meds manager wants to break up with me, so to speak. Not because she's a bad person but she's not a psychatirst and my needs are a bit out of her range.

But we talked about it and then I saw my therapist and some of the same territory was covered. But neither of them believe I have an "organic" mental illness. They both think that I have PTSD, since childhood and it's just been misdiagnosed multiple times. I'm willing to believe them because, frankly, seeking treatment for bipolar disorder isn't getting me where I want to be. Part that is going to be exploring going off medication or seriously reducing it.

Other than it's a matter of changing my own perception of myself and look for triggers and things.

So, heard back from the Dr at Mom's rehab and last night's MRI did reveal a small stroke, so I don't know how much, if any, of the language deficit she's going to get back. He's working on getting her fluids equalized so that her kidneys and her heart aren't in such immediate danger, but he basically said she's dying. I've suspected for a while now (5 hospitalizations in 3 months), but it was still hard to hear. He said she's got probably 6 months to a year (though a year is optimistic). Still processing.

And now I'm leaving to go see her. My brother's finally coming too. Glad to know when the actual death knell rings he'll finally step up.

Oh Jesus, Epic, I'm so sorry. I know that's not at all what you wanted to hear.

I'm so sorry Epic.

I'm sorry, Epic.