Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[DonnaW]

Happy Saturday, all!

Slo...Brian and his fiancee did come down for Thanksgiving, but Christopher did not come in from Reno. Christopher is scheduled for a visit home over Christmas, as he has more days off at that time. Brian's fiancee is doing great physically, she has healed exceptionally well. The emotional aspects will take a bit more time, but we are so blessed she is doing as wonderfully as she is! She and Brian and their "baby" (their dog!) are adjusting to living together. Thanks for asking! Did you find the couch???

Hersey...you LOVE winter??? Seriously??? Ummm...yeah, no.... I don't think so! This is the time of year I wish I could be a "snowbird" and go to Florida for a few months.

DG...I am so sorry to hear about the condo issues, but I know you guys will find the perfect place when it's meant to be. Wishing you all the best in your continued search!

Bunchkin...will you please share some of your warmer weather with all of us?? I think we had such a blahh summer this year, and then fall was kind of here and gone in a minute, we don't deserve to have to another winter..not yet!!

Kim..we have a December birthday, too...Brian's birthday is December 30th. The year he was born, I was in the hospital for New Years Eve, and we had a steak dinner celebration in the hospital; that is something I will always remember! (And, we got a tax deduction for that year, too!)

Geffric...I hope you have a fantastic time in Disney! Please come back with pictures to share!!!

ID...I love doing crock-pot meals at this time of year!

Stitchfans...you continue to be in my prayers. Again, please remember to take care of yourself, too! More hugs being sent your way.

Shout out to ALL...hope everyone has a good weekend, and gets everything done they start out to do, and most of all, stays warm!!!

 

[Stitchfans]

Hi everyone. Man the drama never ends. I went for the meeting with the social workers which ended up being a witch hunt, with me as the witch. Instead of making DH responsible for what he has done they are enabling him by pacifying him. I was "slapped on the wrist" because he said I did not always listen to his problems from work. Well it was daily, and once in a while, yes I did ask him to keep it to himself when I was overwhelmed with problems coming at me from all ends with both DDs and him.

Then the subject of our credit cards came up which is a stressful thing for him from what I just learned. We won't go into who charged them up. Any way, he said he was afraid I would not go back to work to help pay them off. Even though it was him who told me to quit my part job of 3 hours for minimum wage and go ahead and try to write my books and get them published. Again, the social workers chastised me for not helping out there, even though he makes more than enough to pay our bills with money left over.

Yes, when I came home with my itty bitty check it paid for groceries and we had a little extra more, but not enough to make a big difference. But, I am the "bad guy". Now yesterday, I went to drop off an envelope with forms for DH to sign, and the dr to fill out for medical leave of absence so DH does not lose his job. I planned on quietly and discreetly leaving the envelope like I have done with other things.

Let me back up. Due to poor treatment DD and I received this past visit on Monday we no longer planned on visiting just talking to him on the phone. Well this bimbo asked me why I did not give it to him on the 1 hour evening visits. I told her we no longer were coming to those so please give this to him. She insisted on asking me why. I told her not to worry about just please give this to him.

I turned to walk away towards the elevator and she starts screaming at me to come back. I turned and said it is not necessary to discuss it and again said please give him the envelope. As I got into the elevator she is totally out of control and is blowing it all out of proportion and is screaming I am calling security. I just ignored her and went down stairs went out to the parking lot and went home. Last night when DH called us I told him about it and he said he got the envelope and nothing was said.

Good Samaritan hospital is not the place to go for mental health issues. The people working that floor has their own issues and mental problems, and they severally lack compassion, plus the ability to treat others with respect with human dignity. The social worker even said to me when I was trying to express my feelings that it is not about me right now, it is all about DH. That right there told me to shut up and keep my feelings and thoughts to myself.

He is suppose to be released on Monday and I can not wait!! Never again do I want to have to deal with those people. They added stress to my already overwhelming stress that I already was experiencing. : I have had tremendous headaches ever since he was admitted into that hospital. Again, thank you all for letting me vent.

I guess writing all this down here is like my own personal therapy.
Plus all your prayers and good wishes are helping so much too. Thanks everyone. Starting Tuesday he has to go for outpatient therapy there for the rest of the week but at least he will be coming home after it.

 

[geffric]

Stitchfans I wish I lived closer and could help you out.. they don't sound very compassiate or willing to help.

DonnaW - I agree with you I could be a snowbird too

DG I am sorry about the condo. a better one will come along. even in the same complex..

Today I went to Droid traiing and the OCB for $5.99 breakfast.. YUMMY!! then to Kohls for early morning bargins and used my $10 gc plus an extra 15% email.. so I got some shoes for DH and me .. Now I am doing laundry and relaxing before I call into work at 2 to see if I work today.

IS there a bus to take you to the CM store at WDW? Or do I just walk all that way??

 

[HERSEY]

Stitch I hope things calm down for you both. Remember the hospital staff only has one person's input. Right or wrong it is how your husband has processed it. Don't let this get the two of you down.

Geffric how do you like your new phone? I was thinking about that but I rarely use my phone for anything other than talking.

Donna No I don't love winter I much rather be warm.

 

[KimRaye]

Ahhh, teacher gifts!
We always do gift cards and have had teachers tell us that they love getting them! Always appreciated.

I do those too, but they have to be bought, paid for, and given - which means some kind of package, right?

Kim..we have a December birthday, too...Brian's birthday is December 30th. The year he was born, I was in the hospital for New Years Eve, and we had a steak dinner celebration in the hospital; that is something I will always remember! (And, we got a tax deduction for that year, too!)

Matt is 12/31, due 1/9 but the Dr.OB/Gyn felt that I couldn't wait for or handle a breach, so he scheduled a CS on 12/31. I also got the deduction that year. Just meant I lost it a year early, too.

Hi everyone. Man the drama never ends. I went for the meeting with the social workers which ended up being a witch hunt, with me as the witch. Instead of making DH responsible for what he has done they are enabling him by pacifying him. I was "slapped on the wrist" because he said I did not always listen to his problems from work. Well it was daily, and once in a while, yes I did ask him to keep it to himself when I was overwhelmed with problems coming at me from all ends with both DDs and him.

Then the subject of our credit cards came up which is a stressful thing for him from what I just learned. We won't go into who charged them up. Any way, he said he was afraid I would not go back to work to help pay them off. Even though it was him who told me to quit my part job of 3 hours for minimum wage and go ahead and try to write my books and get them published. Again, the social workers chastised me for not helping out there, even though he makes more than enough to pay our bills with money left over.

Yes, when I came home with my itty bitty check it paid for groceries and we had a little extra more, but not enough to make a big difference. But, I am the "bad guy". Now yesterday, I went to drop off an envelope with forms for DH to sign, and the dr to fill out for medical leave of absence so DH does not lose his job. I planned on quietly and discreetly leaving the envelope like I have done with other things.

Let me back up. Due to poor treatment DD and I received this past visit on Monday we no longer planned on visiting just talking to him on the phone. Well this bimbo asked me why I did not give it to him on the 1 hour evening visits. I told her we no longer were coming to those so please give this to him. She insisted on asking me why. I told her not to worry about just please give this to him.

I turned to walk away towards the elevator and she starts screaming at me to come back. I turned and said it is not necessary to discuss it and again said please give him the envelope. As I got into the elevator she is totally out of control and is blowing it all out of proportion and is screaming I am calling security. I just ignored her and went down stairs went out to the parking lot and went home. Last night when DH called us I told him about it and he said he got the envelope and nothing was said.

Good Samaritan hospital is not the place to go for mental health issues. The people working that floor has their own issues and mental problems, and they severally lack compassion, plus the ability to treat others with respect with human dignity. The social worker even said to me when I was trying to express my feelings that it is not about me right now, it is all about DH. That right there told me to shut up and keep my feelings and thoughts to myself.

He is suppose to be released on Monday and I can not wait!! Never again do I want to have to deal with those people. They added stress to my already overwhelming stress that I already was experiencing. : I have had tremendous headaches ever since he was admitted into that hospital. Again, thank you all for letting me vent.

I guess writing all this down here is like my own personal therapy.
Plus all your prayers and good wishes are helping so much too. Thanks everyone. Starting Tuesday he has to go for outpatient therapy there for the rest of the week but at least he will be coming home after it.

Prayers for YOU and your DH! Please don't 'not visit' because of the staff's poor treatment. He needs you now, more than ever.

StitchRemember the hospital staff only has one person's input. Right or wrong it is how your husband has processed it. Don't let this get the two of you down.

I agree. We're here for you!

 

[princess.chell]

Once again, its forever since I've posted. Things have been crazy busy here. School is picking up as we go into winter break. Ugh, oh well, 19 days till Christmas, the only thing I can concentrate on. I'm trying to figure out my shopping list this year. My brother and I got my parents a gift Friday after school when neither was home, but I still need a gift for each of them and a gift or two for him. Plus a gift for two teachers at school as a Thank you for writing my college letters of recommendation/Happy Christmas gifts. But I have no clue what to get them. They are two teachers that have had a big impact on me and know me more personally so I want the gift to be personal but not overly so. Basically, I have no clue. Hahah. I don't think I can afford Christmas gifts for my friends this year either, which makes me sad since it's one of my favorite things to do. I might try to make them something or just save it for a graduation/ going away gift later... Hope this finds everyone in a good place. I'm off to the city for a few hours today and then a concert with my friend tonight.

Stichfans... I am continually thinking of you and your husband and daughter. I'm sorry to hear about the staff at Good Sam. That's the last thing I'm sure you need. Tomorrow he comes home and hopefully, you won't have to deal with them anymore. I'm not sure where you in the Chicagoland area, but I am right by Good Sam so if you need anything, don't hesitate to PM. Continued thoughts and good hopes you.


p.s...I can't wait for the snow! Call me crazy but I love it! =)

 

[Stitchfans]

Been pushed over the edge. Got a letter from the insurance company. Says may not cover anything. Also there is a registered letter from DH's place of employment waiting to be picked up at the Post Office. Mailman claims he missed me even though I haven't budged from the house. No knock on the door nor the door bell ringing. Laying low today, and hoping my stupid headache at least eases up if not go away. Hanging in there. Thanks again everyone.

 

[irish dancer]

Hi guys! Wow, can't believe I'm the first one on today at 2p!! Well, it's Monday need I say more?! DD12 is serving 6:15AM daily mass this week - ugh! So that means a 5:30a alarm and we are so not morning people.......

Got our tree up and inside decorations done this weekend. I just love the house decorated. Saw on a Travel Channel show there is a town named Santa Claus in Indiana where they decorate year round. Might have to check that out.....

Stitchfans - Wish I could do more. It seems like you're getting your fair share of stess and hope it turns around soon. Keep using us to vent and if you need anything let us know.

MJ - you like snow?! Not me!! LOL From the weather report looks like we'll get our fair share this week.

disneygal - so sorry about the condo, hope something else comes along for you soon!

Kim - we have a lot of Dec b-days too; two nieces on the 1st, another niece the 10th, my sister the 12th and an aunt on the 21st.
*Happy early Birthday to Kelly!

to everyone else. Hope you're all having a great day!

Well, time to head out for school pick-up. Have a great night, watch those slippery roads!

 

[momto1]

Good Samaritan hospital is not the place to go for mental health issues.

Stitch - I woman I kwow from church was just involved in a Channel 2 expose on Good Sam. She has a service dog for a sever seizure disorder. Good Sam wouldn't let the dog in when she needed inpatient mental health care. Channel 2 ran the report about 2 weeks ago. Equip for Equality has picked up the case. Hopefully, Good Sam will reform some of their practices and treatment to those seeking mental health services.

Lori

 

[Crissup]

Hi everyone! Just catching up for the first time in over a week. Carol and I spent two nights at the Knickerbocker Hotel, across from the Drake, this past weekend. We had never really celebrated our 5 year anniversary ealier this year after Carol got sick in Vegas, so we booked the weekend to make up for it. Carol had never really experienced the Mag Mile, so it was a nice experience. We left from work on Friday night and headed into the city and checked in. We then headed over to the Hancock building for dinner at the Signature Room. They gave us a table right at the window looking south.

Saturday, we took a cab down to Marshall Fields State St. store and checked out the windows, then did some shopping before walking over to Millenium Park and heading north up Michigan Ave. We stopped for coffee on the way, then walked across the river and caught a cab the rest of the way. From there, we headed to Water Tower Place and did more shopping before heading back to the Hancock to drop off some packages (we had parked the Durango in the Hancock parking garage for two nights). Then back to the hotel to get cleaned up for dinner. We walked to The Saloon Steakhouse where we had an excellent steak and prime rib dinner. Afterward, we headed over to Bloomingdale's (The 900 Shops) for a few minutes before calling it a night. Sunday morning, we got packed and checked out. Carol headed for Bloomingdale's while I ran the suitcase over to the Hancock and loaded it into the car. Then I met Carol at Bloomingdale's Cafe for breakfast and did more xmas shopping. Finally, around 2:30, we called it a day and headed back to get the car. The Ike was jammed starting around Central Ave, so I got off and worked my way south to the Stevenson. Then decided to stop at the Chicken Basket for an early dinner on the way home. Finally got home around 5pm.

Now, I'm finally relaxing and catching up. Hope everyone else is doing well!!

 

[princess.chell]

My dad and I are watching the Disney Holiday special that was on HGTV on our DVR right now. It's making me sad because this year will be the second year since 1995 that my family hasn't gone to Disney at some point during the year. I know I'm lucky to even have gone once, but its the only vacation my family takes and basically the only thing we really do all year, like we save for it all year, so not going is really, I guess different and hard and weird for me. My mom had told me we weren't going because I was going to college next year, but then was taking large sums of money out of my bank account for a surprise for my dad's birthday (November) since she couldn't take the money out of the family account or my dad would see it. She said I would love the surprise, that the whole family would, and that I would have to take time off work for it. First thing I thought, Disney vacation, because the large sums added up to about $5,000. But then the recession hit my family, and my mom lost her job about two months ago. She never told me what the surprise was (making me think even more that it was a trip to Disney) but she did tell me that the surprise was off. Oh well, anyway, IT SNOWED!! Waking up on Monday morning, especially after a late Sunday night, was sooo much easier when my dad told me he had to go shovel the snow. I guess when my dad woke me up I asked him like three times "You have to go snovel the show?" Hehehe I'm not a morning person at all. Well, gotta go quickly shower then head to bed since I had no homework tonight =)

irish dancer - My family put up our tree last week. It looks, interesting. One part is wayy brighter than the others because my dad restrung one string but not the rest of the tree. And yes I love the snow!! Except for when a 10 minute drive to school takes me 40 minutes, seriously.

Crissup - sounds like a funny weekend in the city!! I was down there most of the day Sunday, freezing. But it was so pretty all ready for the winter =)

 

[Stitchfans]

Stitch - I woman I kwow from church was just involved in a Channel 2 expose on Good Sam. She has a service dog for a sever seizure disorder. Good Sam wouldn't let the dog in when she needed inpatient mental health care. Channel 2 ran the report about 2 weeks ago. Equip for Equality has picked up the case. Hopefully, Good Sam will reform some of their practices and treatment to those seeking mental health services.

Lori

Hmmm. Very interesting. Missed that.

DH still isn't home. Waiting to see if today is the day. This horrible snow isn't helping with my mood either. Hate that stuff. DD has her Art Club today after school so I will be picking her up later. If he is coming home I sure hope I won't have to pick him up the same time I need to get to DD's school for her. The hospital is on the north side of town and I am on the south.

Either way he will have a wait a little longer if the timing is off. Sure hope the weather isn't bad, and cooperates with me. Don't need any more added stress on top of what I have.

Thanks again everyone for listening to me complain. Also thank you again for all the kind words. and well wishes.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Morning all! Just popping in.
Continued hugs go out to you Stitch.
For all you non-facebookers out there, just filling you in for Slo. She is still having computer issues at home and not able to grab much free time at work to post. But she is still here in spirit!
Snowed oh so slightly here. I am off to work the kids' holiday shop at school.
Have a great day!

 

[momto1]

Hi gang! Just popping in real quick! Snow....ARGH!!!

Stitch - I hope dh made it home today. Hugs to you!

DG - Sorry to hear about the condo. Another will come along. For some reason, this one wasn't meant to be.

Crissup - Sounds like you had a wonderful belated anniversary celebration in the city over the weekend!

Tomorrow is our big holiday party at work - bonus checks, pizza, desert and raffle prize.

Tomorrow nights is High School Exploration Night for Jon. I am so not ready for this! I can't believe he is almost a Freshman.

Take care. If you have to drive, be careful!

Lori

 

[Big V]

More hugs and prayers for ya Stitch.
Miss ya Slo! I miss your morning updates.
Blizzard warning for us up here in the north!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Take care Big V! Stay safe and warm!

 

[Stitchfans]

Up earlier than normal. Can't sleep. Can't think straight. Now I am worried about the weather. With the talk about high winds and all I am not sure if I should brave taking DD out to school. I really hate winter.

DH is still in the hospital. I spoke to him on the phone last night, and he says they are raising his meds due to the fact that he still feels suicidal. This is all so confusing to me. Wish I could understand how someone can feel this way. Wish I could understand how someone can claim to love you and your daughter and what to be with you but yet wants to end it all???

Wish I could stop this crying, and horrible feelings, and fear. I want my old life back when we were a family and happy. To add to the stress DD's Geometry teacher gave her class an assignment which has me pulling my hair out.

First she had to draw a sample of a triangle bridge, which she try over and over. Could not do it. So yes, I drew it for her to the best of my ability. He at least accepted my drawing. She said he rejected the entire classes first attempts and a lot of their second. She said he was so angry with the class that he was yelling so hard that his face got all red.

Now she has to build this bridge out of straws. He supplied the straws and a long slip of cardboard to build it on. I have to get out and buy a lot of straight pins. In the instructions he specifies that only the straws he supplied are to be used, and just straight pins. Then he is going to apply some kind of weight on the bridges after they are made to see if they can withhold the weight.

I am worried about getting this thing together, let alone whether or not it can hold any weight. Really don't need this kind of project right now. Wish winter break was here so I could sit back and hide under my blanket safe on my couch. Just block out the whole world.

 

[HERSEY]

Susan Mental illness is just that an illness. You can't control it on your own. The longer depression is untreated it becomes a chemical imbalance in your body that sometimes only medication can treat. That is enough of my kindergarten attempts at medical stuff. Please understand your husband has an illness and that I am sure he would love not to be in the hospital also. I don't think Alex has had to make a bridge yet in Geometry. When is the project due?


I think the weather we got last night gunked up my satelite. So no tv this morning. This is the first time this happened. I am lost without the tv noise.

 

[paintnolish]

Hey everyone! Hope everyone is staying safe in this weather. We only got a dusting but have a wind advisory. You can hear it howling! Anyway, it looks like ds has strep. I picked him up later yesterday (he gets tutoring), so of course the dr.'s office was closed. He had a fever and sore throat! I am supposed to work today, called last night, and they basically told me "too bad" because we are too busy. We were not busy at all yesterday- I had 2 tables!!! So, I had to call xh, who ds claims he "hates" to watch ds today. Now, ds will have to miss 2 days (24 hour rule) and I have a final tomorrow! One day at a time, right? Grr...Well, I suppose it is better than him being sick next week in FL!
Stitch- Hang in there. Nothing last forever. It will get better!
Big V- My sister lives in McHenry- they are basically shut down. Her cars stuck in a ditch- luckily in front of her house!
momto- We talked to a lady in WDW who had a service pomeranian. It let her know when a seizure was coming. Very interesting!
Crissup- Sounds like a fun city day! I had planned on going to the German market, but we haven't gotten around to it yet. Have you been?
chell- Have you thought about an ornament exchange with your friends? I do that with some of mine. You can get them at Hobby Lobby for a few dollars and they have all kinds! GL with the end of the semester. I have my last final tomorrow!
ID- See the special about North Pole, Alaska? That was a good one, too!
Okay, gotta' go check on dd and make sure she's getting ready, not plopped in front of the tv! Wish me luck at the dr.'s office- ds freaks out during his strep teast, so I am hoping I can take him before work instead of xh (he will yell at him and make it worse!).

Edited to add: No strep, at leats not by the quick strep test. It is the usual mystery diagnosis: virus! He is acting fine excpet for his sore throat.

 

[Stitchfans]

Susan Mental illness is just that an illness. You can't control it on your own. The longer depression is untreated it becomes a chemical imbalance in your body that sometimes only medication can treat. That is enough of my kindergarten attempts at medical stuff. Please understand your husband has an illness and that I am sure he would love not to be in the hospital also. I don't think Alex has had to make a bridge yet in Geometry. When is the project due?


I think the weather we got last night gunked up my satelite. So no tv this morning. This is the first time this happened. I am lost without the tv noise.

Yes, I heard about the chemical imbalance. I somewhat understand it all. I guess this is going to take a lot more patience and a lot of hard work to dig us out of a financial hole when it is all over. If there is a will there definitely is a way.

The project is due on the 16th. They will do the weighing part on the 19th. Like I said I am hoping just to get her enough points by doing it, just to pass. This is not one of my many talents as the saying goes. I can draw so I was able to help with that. I will be proud if we can just get something that will stand up on it's own.