I promised myself I would post more frequently, but you know what? Life took over and gave me a sharp smack about the head and said, "Not yet you won't!"
If you're a facebook friend of mine, you'll notice I've posted up lots of affirmations and positive quotes about mental health,and there's a very good reason......my one and only child is battling with the demon inside, having tried to take his life twice in the past month and there was nothing I could do but look from the outside in and be his advocate with an underfunded mental health system that is groaning from the pressure at its seams.
I won't fill you with the details but know my boy is doing ok now, he's moved back home and we take it day by day. He has two great mental health nurses he can contact at any time and a psychologist he's seeing for the first time today to work with him on rewiring his thoughts, to turn them from negatives to positives. The worst thing about it is the stigma. Because it's 'all in your head' and it's not a visual illness (like vomiting and diarrhoea or a broken leg), it's hard to distinguish whether it's 'just you' or if there really is something wrong. Being told to 'get over it' or 'toughen up' and 'just think happy thoughts' just doesn't do the trick to helping someone through this dreaded illness, and it IS an illness. It's taken years of listening, perseverance, trying to understand and advocating for my boy's health when I'm not sure I understand myself but finally we're getting there.
So with all that happening, I've remembered (on time too!) that it's time for FNSI sign ups! YAAAAY....my sanity time. Hope you'll join with me on Friday night for some self indulgence, a little wine, some chocolate or something to tickle your fancy, a comfy pair of jammies and some virtual togetherness to do what we love best...….stitch!
Sign ups are open and everyone is welcome. Don't forget to share with others on your blog and social media as taking time out to stitch with our friends is so good for our own mental health and who knows, you might win our monthly prize.
Oh Wendy, I am sorry all this is happening... it is very hard and I totally agree with your thoughts here.... difficult time for you all - day by day and I am thinking of you..... Hugz
Hi Wendy i am sorry i didnt know this ,your boy has lots of love and support to help him through this,one day at a time and i wish your boy the very best,sending you all lots of love and big hugs my friend ,take care xx
It is horrible when your child goes through illness especially as an adult when you feel you cannot make it better. My thoughts and prayers go out to your son and to you also....such a worrying time for you. Hoping the healing continues xxx There will definitely be chocolates here Friday night....oh and jimjams and slippers lol! Take care...hugs xxx
Oh Wendy I feel for you... I do hope you can all work on this and get everyone on the right track. I will be sewing but if you need to go AWOL - we will all understand.
Dear Wendy, Thanks for sharing this with us! Sometimes life is much more important than anything else and family always is! I wish you all the strength and power your son, you and your family will need! I will join and hope, I will post in time,too to link up. Greetings from Germany Rike
I'm looking forward to FNSI this Friday. Sorry to read about the turmoil your family has been going through but very happy to hear that you all are getting a handle on it. ((hugs))
Oh Wendy, what a very personal & difficult issue you've shared with us. You're right, mental health, despite such increased awareness & publicity in recent years, is still a stigmatised & under-recognised issue. Not to mention under-funded & in ever-increasing demand. I'm sorry to read that this is your experience with your son... he is blessed to have you as has advocate while he is struggling. Thank you for hosting FNSI at this time, & yes indeed, time spent doing what feeds our souls is so important. Love to you all xx
Wendy, I'm so sorry that your son (and you) are going through this but it sounds like he is where he needs to be and help is available. I'll be praying that his healing commmences soon and all involved will be understanding and strong, as much as possible. This is a tough sickness and awareness is very important.
Thank you for hosting the FNSI. It will be my first time participating and I'll be doing so from my camper!
Wendy, Sorry to hear what stress your family is under, but happy to hear that something positive is beginning to take shape! Thankyou for continuing to host the Friday night sewing for us with all this going on in your life Big Hugs xo
Wendy, I'm so sorry to hear what your family is going through. I do hope you are all over the worst and that healing continues to happen. Sending you big hugs. [Not sure if I'll be able to take part this Friday - but do hope you have some relaxing Me time.]
Oh Wendy I'm so sorry to hear your news. Sending hugs your way. I don't seem to be able to sign up for FNSI as an error message keeps popping up... but I will join in tonight... xox
So sorry Wendy to hear about your son's struggle and I'm glad that he is making progress....one feels so helpless when your children are having problems....take care.. Oooops nearly forgot to sign up for tonights sewing.....
So sorry to hear about your son's struggles. It's so hard as a parent to know how to be helpful. Sending you lots of quilty hugs and best wishes for a full recovery.
I am so far away and you do not know me but if you want someone just to listen, never judge nor give advice on anything I don't know about. I have 2 older sons. I don't know what I'd do except blame myself. Let me know by email and I will give my phone number. Prayers go out to you and your family.Peace be with you. quiltyladyrr@gmail.com
I commend you for telling your story. Like so many others, I too went through just what you are doing. We had to bring our bright star of a daughter home from university a broken bird. It took a doctor recognizing clinical depression, finding exactly the right medication and counselling to get her back on track. But you know she did, and though she faltered once more afterwards, she got through it and has now been living medication free a contented life for over twenty years. But you never forget it as a parent that helpless feeling wanting to will them well, but you can't. So Wendy, hang in there- your support means everything and I am sending you the most positive of thoughts.
Oh Wendy, my heart breaks for all of you. Please know that I am sending best wishes to your son to recover from this terrible illness as soon as possible. Look after yourself and him, my dear.
Wendy I just read your post, obviously missed the sew in, but would like to wish you and your family all the very best. You are amazing...going through such tough times and still thinking obaout your blogging friends. Love and hugs, Diane.
24 comments:
Oh Wendy, I am sorry all this is happening... it is very hard and I totally agree with your thoughts here.... difficult time for you all - day by day and I am thinking of you.....
Hugz
Wendy i'm so sorry to hear what you & your son have been going through. Thinking of you & your family. Hugs,xx
Hi Wendy i am sorry i didnt know this ,your boy has lots of love and support to help him through this,one day at a time and i wish your boy the very best,sending you all lots of love and big hugs my friend ,take care xx
It is horrible when your child goes through illness especially as an adult when you feel you cannot make it better. My thoughts and prayers go out to your son and to you also....such a worrying time for you. Hoping the healing continues xxx
There will definitely be chocolates here Friday night....oh and jimjams and slippers lol! Take care...hugs xxx
Oh Wendy
I feel for you... I do hope you can all work on this and get everyone on the right track.
I will be sewing but if you need to go AWOL - we will all understand.
I understand your son. So good he has such a great support team. Because most folk don't understand. Hugs....
Sending all my warm hugs Wendy, I know what you have been and still are going through, similar situation with my son. 💞
Dear Wendy,
Thanks for sharing this with us! Sometimes life is much more important than anything else and family always is! I wish you all the strength and power your son, you and your family will need!
I will join and hope, I will post in time,too to link up.
Greetings from Germany
Rike
Thinking of you and your family during this very hard time for all involved.
Looking forward to Friday Wendy. xx
I'm looking forward to FNSI this Friday. Sorry to read about the turmoil your family has been going through but very happy to hear that you all are getting a handle on it. ((hugs))
Oh Wendy, what a very personal & difficult issue you've shared with us. You're right, mental health, despite such increased awareness & publicity in recent years, is still a stigmatised & under-recognised issue. Not to mention under-funded & in ever-increasing demand.
I'm sorry to read that this is your experience with your son... he is blessed to have you as has advocate while he is struggling.
Thank you for hosting FNSI at this time, & yes indeed, time spent doing what feeds our souls is so important.
Love to you all xx
Wendy, I'm so sorry that your son (and you) are going through this but it sounds like he is where he needs to be and help is available. I'll be praying that his healing commmences soon and all involved will be understanding and strong, as much as possible. This is a tough sickness and awareness is very important.
Thank you for hosting the FNSI. It will be my first time participating and I'll be doing so from my camper!
Wendy, Sorry to hear what stress your family is under, but happy to hear that something positive is beginning to take shape! Thankyou for continuing to host the Friday night sewing for us with all this going on in your life
Big Hugs xo
A dreadful disease - I am praying for your son and you, dear Wendy!!!!!!
Wendy, I'm so sorry to hear what your family is going through. I do hope you are all over the worst and that healing continues to happen. Sending you big hugs. [Not sure if I'll be able to take part this Friday - but do hope you have some relaxing Me time.]
Oh Wendy I'm so sorry to hear your news. Sending hugs your way.
I don't seem to be able to sign up for FNSI as an error message keeps popping up... but I will join in tonight... xox
So sorry Wendy to hear about your son's struggle and I'm glad that he is making progress....one feels so helpless when your children are having problems....take care..
Oooops nearly forgot to sign up for tonights sewing.....
So sorry to hear about your son's struggles. It's so hard as a parent to know how to be helpful.
Sending you lots of quilty hugs and best wishes for a full recovery.
I am so far away and you do not know me but if you want someone just to listen, never judge nor give advice on anything I don't know about. I have 2 older sons. I don't know what I'd do except blame myself. Let me know by email and I will give my phone number. Prayers go out to you and your family.Peace be with you. quiltyladyrr@gmail.com
I commend you for telling your story. Like so many others, I too went through just what you are doing. We had to bring our bright star of a daughter home from university a broken bird. It took a doctor recognizing clinical depression, finding exactly the right medication and counselling to get her back on track. But you know she did, and though she faltered once more afterwards, she got through it and has now been living medication free a contented life for over twenty years.
But you never forget it as a parent that helpless feeling wanting to will them well, but you can't. So Wendy, hang in there- your support means everything and I am sending you the most positive of thoughts.
Oh Wendy, my heart breaks for all of you. Please know that I am sending best wishes to your son to recover from this terrible illness as soon as possible. Look after yourself and him, my dear.
Wendy I just read your post, obviously missed the sew in, but would like to wish you and your family all the very best. You are amazing...going through such tough times and still thinking obaout your blogging friends. Love and hugs, Diane.
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