JimK's Journal

Thursday, July 24, 2008 – 2:15 P.M.

I just returned from getting some physical therapy for my back. The pain has already begun increasing, so I need to take some medicine soon.

After doing a fair amount of pushing, I finally got another appointment to see my social worker (Dale) at the mental health clinic. He agreed to see me on the same day that I see my psychiatrist who is also at the same clinic. This way, I can “kill two birds with one stone.”

Yesterday afternoon, I went to see my psychologist. We discussed some of the things that came up when I saw Dale, along with my sister, on Monday. At that time, my Dale read something I had written, in which I said that I had wanted “closer family ties.” My sister took that to mean in the past, but I meant it to be the present. I will try to correct it at our next session.

My psychologist said she wants me to try some EMDR next week. I do not what that involves, but said I was willing to try it.

Quotes for Success:

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

Winston Churchill

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 – 11:30 A.M.

Last night, I received a totally unexpected call from my brother. He wanted to thank me for letting him know about our sister’s boyfriend’s illness. We talked about that for a while, and then he wanted to know about how I was doing, and what was happening in my life.

I was not prepared for our conversation, so I gave him an abbreviated version of what I have been going through this summer. We discussed my physical condition and the various kinds of physical therapy I am having, including the possibility that I will be trying pool therapy soon. We also talked about my trying to get a service dog, and some of the problems that involves.

While talking about our sister, I mentioned that she had gone to see my therapist with me on Monday. Out of the blue, he said he would be glad to do that as well, if it meant helping me. He volunteered to do that with or without our sister being there. He also asked me to keep in closer contact either by phone or by email.

Both my brother and sister have days during which they cannot come here for therapy session, but I believe my therapist can work around those days.

This morning, I emailed my therapist with a list of dates in August, and asked him to set up a day and time for my next appointment. I figured that I did not push him, nothing would happen.

Quotes for Success:

“Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get."

Dale Carnegie

Tuesday, July 22, 2008—10 A.M. 

After getting through the session with my therapist and sister yesterday, I was feeling good enough to finally get a good night’s sleep. My therapist was supposed to call in the afternoon so we could schedule another appointment. The call never happened. I would like to send him a copy of my calendar for August, so he can see the days on which I already have something scheduled, but I cannot figure out how to do that. My brain must be on vacation today.

Things seemed to be getting better toward the end of last week since one of my CNAs started getting me into bed without giving me any “body slams.” When she came in last night, she told the other CNA to lift the upper part of me because she had been told that she had “been treating” me “roughly” for the past three months. I never said that in those exact words, so it remains to be seen whether she will be too angry to continue working with me.

I have another CNA who is getting ready to move to San Diego during September. She has helped me a lot, and I am going to miss her. It seems somewhat strange that the good workers leave, and the bad ones stay.

Quotes for Success:

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”

Dale Carnegie