Ha ha... What do I do? Ha! Huh. What do I do? I don't do anything!
See, unlike all you normal, chemically balanced brain people, who are working at a job, leading productive lives, raising amazing families, there are some of us - I think the stats are 1 in 6 Americans (no idea on how many who are in-between treatment due to financial demise) - we struggle. Sometimes all we have in us is the desire to make it through the day.
www.bringchange2mind.org
I'm having low and lower moments more than anything. Today's a tough one. I discovered a mom's blog yesterday, about a family who very recently lost their young son; leaving a sister to now be an only child. It broke my heart. That woman's story brought back an ache in my heart I had not felt in a very long time. It was sorrow - a deep, painful sorrow - I felt, and it kinda felt just as good as it did bad. Still haven't recovered from it yet.
The Bridge: One Terrible Night http://aninchofgray.blogspot.com/2011/10/bridge-one-terrible-night.html
Anyway, this confirms something I've often wondered about: Who or what's going to be there when and if I'm ever off my medication for bipolar disorder? I'm learning - or more like feeling - what that may be. And it's sometimes great - like when I discover I have a beaming smile on my face, or having a hearty laugh - but mostly, it's horrible. I'm sad a lot. Sad and depressed. That I don't like. I don't like feeling crippled by whatever it is that my brain isn't rigged to handle like it would for a normal person.
There was a time when if someone casually asked me what I did, I'd jokingly say "I'm a professional crier." Now that I think about it, I was more of an expert crier. But, I hardly ever cry anymore. Over the last 20 years I have learned that, although not the best medicine, laughter is critical to my well-being, but even "the funny" is not cutting it. Reading has always been a very effective way to conquer low points... problem now: my brain function is impaired to the point where reading has become a chore. Hell... simple conversation with my kids is getting harder and harder each day. Mental illness sucks, right?
Day-to-day experiences of all my favorite things are now marred by my chemically imbalanced brain. What brings me to the verge of tears most is how unavailable I am to my kids. It makes me extra sad that I don't know if they've ever known the real me... I have been on some course of treatment for depression, PTSD, PMDD, Bipolar Disorder, chronic pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, their entire lives. Heck, I was even treated for borderline Lupus when they were all tiny. (In those days I didn't even have the strength to push them on a swing.) Last few years they almost lost me to toxic gall-bladder infection, then onset of asthma. This week is Fall break and my girls are home for the week. My oldest daughter is working on her college applications and essay, my youngest trying to keep from being bored by asking friends for drawing requests via Facebook. My boy, hangs out, waits for me to be available to sit and enjoy our favorite shows together or chat about his favorite things. I'm doing the best I could.
But, I'm not going to lie... I hate that my kids have to deal with mom disappearing into wherever it is untreated illness leads me. I don't want them to see me like this. I've only done the very best I could for them all these years. I had them and they are the best people I've ever met... They are my dream come true. I love that they are the reason I smile everyday. I've done the best I could. So, when I hear about other moms who are going about their business of being the best mommy they can be, under whatever circumstances and situations being judged; getting put down, it crushes me. What might that judgement be of me? I don't even want to know (actually, probably very similar to how a "caring" family member might be... hurtful.). My advice: Be nice. Listen to yourselves moms: "Play nice."
So. What do I do? I'm a mom.
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