Lived Experience Forum

[greenpea]

@Dadcaringalone Hi Dadcaringalone, great to 'see' you , just thought about you yesterday and figured since we hadn't heard from you for a while it was the old saying of 'no news is good news' :). Ahaha I remember when I first started on the forums and the notifications came on they nearly sent me insane and some how I got them all off so I get none at all (which suits me perfectly). I only know if someone has tagged me once I get online on the forums to check.

I know what you mean about anger issues my son still gets those although I must say that they have calmed down alot when staying at hospital has been mentioned if he gets out of control or a visit from the police. Yes don't worry about the diagnosis the most important thing is the right medication and the right dosage. To be honest Dadcaringalone both myself and my son get really tired on our medications. I am yarwning my head off right now as I type this (on my second coffee) and I go to before 9.30pm.

You son was working for awhile wasn't he? Is there any chance of him going back for even a couple of days a week? I am just thinking of his social connections and giving you a much needed break.  What is a 'primary access +health care provider'? 

Very happy for your daughter that her health has improved and that she still has her wonderful boyfriend. Would be nice for our boys to have a nice girlfriend too wouldn't it  ..... oh well maybe in the near future.

Look forward to hearing from you again soon. Love greenpea xxxx

[greenpea]

@frog Good morning frog wishing you a fabulous day full of kindness and 'pea'ce. Love greenpea xxxx

[eth]

Good morning @Dadcaringalone @frog @greenpea.

Good to hear from you @Dadcaringalone.  Sending positive vibes for a peaceful day today.

[Dadcaringalone]

Hi my special friend @greenpea

Its so nice to hear from you. Been thinking a lot about you as well, yes it would be great if our boys could get themselves girlfriends, but I’m sure it will definitely happen in time and “good things come to those who wait”! Thanks for your comments about feeling sleepy, it’s nice to know that others also have this. Today’s an important day because its my son’s last exam and this exam season we got thru them without any major dramas!! I also forgot to mention that my son got himself a 3 month job for a big international company so he will be earning and socializing! What’s your news and how is everyone in your life going? Its really great to hear from you again and I wish you a very pea’ceful day. Ooo xxx

[Dadcaringalone]

@frog Thanks for your beautiful message. Yes, the small wins are what counts and celebrating them! Thanks for your kind thoughts and support. Yes, some days are really hard going and you son is also really lucky to have you. The appointment went fine and I just dropped him off at the train station.  Today he has his last exam and it’s important because it’s the first time in 5 years that my son hasn’t had a relapse during the exams! We will definitely celebrate this small win tonight! How are you doing? Would love to give you any support if you need it! Take care and keep in contact 

[greenpea]

@Dadcaringalone Wonderful news on your son's job (how exciting!!!! :)) and fingers crossed for his exam. I am going well thanks. I have a fabulous mental health nurse who is helping me sort out ndis applications etc. I am exercising and eating healthly and doing all I really can do to be as healthy in mind and body without becoming boring 😛 

Son2 has a new psychiatrist who he likes and who is cutting back son2's medications carefully so that he will lose some weight and be healthier as well. Which is all good. My daughter is doing well with a hiccup every now and again but that is to be expected. Am off in a little while to take son2 to see a movie which is special as I cannot remember the last time we did that.

Have a wonderful day. Love greenpea xxx

[Dadcaringalone]

Morning @greenpea

Thats awesome about you doing well. Tell me more about your exercise and eating well? That sounds like it’s underpinning everything positive that’s currently going on in your life and it’s great your sons cutting down on medication to get to the right balance. I know what its like when your kids are sedated, it’s not nice! That primary health care thing is something we have in North Sydney where for certain cases that qualify you can get more psychologist visits than the usual 10 on the mental health plan and depending on the practitioner sometimes they are fully medicare bulkbilled.

The exam was a great success! Went out to celebrate afterwards, first time we have had no psychiatric dramas at exam time for the past 5 years which I see as a really positive sign! He’s had some strange anxiety over the last few days though, not sure it’s related to exams but think it’s probably the new job. Will get on top of it today and tomorrow. Gotta get him up in an hour to get him off to work. You most probably know how tough it is to wake up early. Have a great pea’ceful day

[greenpea]

@Dadcaringalone Hi Dadcaringalone wow I grew up in Mosman and Cremorne!!! Great area 🙂 As for my exercise I am now doing chair yoga and continuing on with my gi gong both of which I enjoy immencely. I am going to go for a walk with my mental health nurse today before it gets too hot.

I am eating loads of salads and only having the occasional treat to stop me from being boring :). I have my ex coming to stay with us this weekend so it will be healthy dinners and breakfasts as he is pre diabetic.  He has lost weight as well due to him cutting out sugars etc. 

I am so happy for you and your son that his exam was a success. That is wonderful news. I really hope his work gives him the opportunity to meet lots of understanding and kind people, friends and maybe a girlfriend .

My son2 and I went to see the movie 'Girl in the Spiders Web' yesterday and really enjoyed it. He said to me that he wasn't that interested in females (I thought omg he is gay!!!) but then he enplained that he just was willing to wait for the right girl to come along. I think the medication he is on plays a large part in that plus being autistic he knows his limitations when it comes to socialising. To be honest I am relieved as it would be a very hard thing for him to cope with if he was crazy about having a girlfriend like so many of his peers are.

Son2 is sleeping at the moment. He said he didn't want to go to his daycare program so I have given him the day off. If he sleeps all day that is fine by me.

Have a wonderful day Dadcaringalone. Always great talking with you my friend. Love greenpea. xxx

[Dadcaringalone]

Dearest @greenpea

What a small world! One of my best mates lives in Cremorne next to the Oaks.

That’s great about your salads 🥗 and exercise. Since Bali, I’ve been going to the gym every few days and I’m also trying to eat a lot of salads. I find if I don’t have a heavy meal at night then I have a much better sleep because I don’t need to digest it at night and I feel fresh in the morning.

Its great you went out to see a movie with son2 and now it sounds like you get it in terms of him being fine and waiting for the right girl! My son is very similar. I laughed when I read what you wrote about him just sleeping all day and letting him! I have found my son needs a lot more sleep. I also find that sometimes I’m a bit too overprotective because of the social isolation of his illness. I was absolutely delighted to know that my son had a travel friend from work who took the train with him twice this week. He’s starting to make a few new friends at work and he even seems to have 2 girls who he likes. He’s going to a Christmas Party with one on Friday and the other he met this week at work said she would love him to teach her one of the languages he speaks. I am sure both of our boys with fine even though their parents worry and the right girl will come along when its right for them both!

I wish you a great weekend with your  ex and the kids. My son finished his first week of work successfully and he is enjoying not having to study with his exams finished. Yesterday I bought him a treat in the Black Friday Sales. I feel things are slowly getting back to normal with his recovery. He’s doing so well and I’m really happy I pushed to keep his mind active during his recent hospitalization. Its made the recovery so much quicker. My daughter is coming on Wednesday then I have a carers break before we are all together for Christmas and new year. My daughter will be staying with her boyfriend for Christmas but then join us for new year.

I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and I’m sure you will all have a great new year. Thanks so much for all your support over the year. I’m feeling much stronger myself now and I eagerly face the future now. I don’t just feel bogged down and hopeless anymore. Your support has helped a great deal as you have lived experience understanding which makes all the difference. I have had so much well-intended advice from others, including family, but they just don’t get it because they don’t have the insights that come with lived experience.

Take care and speak soon

Your good mate Dadcaringalone 

xxx

[greenpea]

@Dadcaringalone Ahaha The Oaks 🙂 I know the Oaks lol brings back memories 😄 Son and I both enjoyed the movie, it was full of action with goodies and baddies. We saw a trailer for another movie and I asked him if he would like to go and he gave me a big yes so we will be going to that one as well :).

How wonderful for your son that he is making friendships at work, long may they last 🙂 What a relief for you that he has a travel buddy and of course friendships starting to blossom with some young women (one going to the Christmas party with him and him teaching the other a foreign language how fabulous is that!).

Your Christmas plans sound great and may I say you are sounding so much better in yourself which makes the pea very happy :). We will have a small Christmas as my kiddies like to play computers 24/7 but am sure my ex will come up to see us and will meet up with my mother at some stage.

Both of us have had a whirlwind of a year haven't we 🙂 Maybe now it is in the process of stabilizing back into normality. I am a eternal optimist.

I consider you a dear friend Dadcaringalone as you said we get each other. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.

Love greenpea xxxx