MichaelS36

tim suggested I read this. I just wanted to say I have. Thanks. 👍

Bread equals love. That's true. tim's a fairly quiet person, but deeds speak loudly. I feel triply loved as tim made two batches of those blueberry bars!

Things are good, thank you. Doing work I enjoy, have tim and Dan at home looking after that, so I don't have to. I take care of Mom's place for her since Dad passed. I think we'll go over there this weekend to visit which is a euphemism for 'use the pool'. This has given me an idea. I'll find out if she plans to be home, we could bbq, swim and deal with oncoming 95F plus, heat this weekend. Great idea, thanks, A!! You have a good weekend. I'm glad to see you back.

tim makes good bread..

Good to see you, A.

Well said, tim. People are becoming more isolated and afraid but we need to fight that. Now is the time for community and some joy. Even if we just meet for a cup of coffee.

Well, you've let the cat out of the bag! No point in guessing now, is there? Nice kitty, k. Enjoy!!

I'm not sure that flammable and brains are a good combination.

tim is doing really well, other than a nasty virus. And I believe your prediction is correct; things will be fine.

I'm feeling a lot better now that we have a number of treatments under our belt, so to speak. It's the unknown that causes the most worry. The doctors and nurses that give these treatments take very good care of tim. That's all I can ask for. Exactly, my feelings about this are of little importance. I think tim is feeling positive and he seems a bit less stressed about everything. We will continue to follow doctor's advice and hope tim continues to feel good about his life. Thank you, my friend.

Thanks, my friend. I appreciate it.

Thank you, chris. I'll pass those along to tim.

Thank you, Reader. tim has one more treatment on Monday. Then he'll spend additional time with his doctor during the week. He will evaluate and decide on next steps or follow-up treatments. What they call "maintenance" treatments are usually done once a week and finally reducing down to once a month along with talk, and meds.

ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)can be an effective albeit last resort treatment for suicidal ideation. When my husband came to me to say he'd discussed this treatment option with his psychiatrist, I was at once afraid and sad. ECT had been discussed several years ago. It was left behind on the table in favour of other treatments. The other treatments which worked had slowly, over the years, become less effective. tim told me that the voices that urged him to take his life had become stronger. Fighting them was more difficult. As was proven about two years ago, when his suicide attempt was nearly successful. More in-person talk therapy was given as were different combinations of drugs. tim tried but said recently these were no longer working well and he wanted to try ECT. After speaking with tim's trusted long time psychiatrist, we decided to try it. You can imagine where my thoughts led me: patients strapped to tables, awake when the treatment is administered. Thankfully, that is far from the reality. So far, tim has had three treatments. So far, he's doing well and he thinks it might be helping. I'm not sure that's true as I've been told it's a bit soon. But belief is a powerful thing. I live in hope.

tim will enjoy reading your comments. I'm sorry to hear you've been parted from your husband. I hope you're able to find some peace in cherished memories of him.

Happy New Year. We should all commit to this, I agree but there are those who struggle with inner peace and happiness. To them I say your hurt and suffering are part of your life's journey. For 2025 try to embrace who you are, and that includes your mental illness, and those deeply dark days where no light lives. Even on those days where the pain seems endless, you are worthy and loved. Remembering that life is worth the effort and recalling this is especially important during those most painful of times. I wish all of you and your families a wonderful New Year.

I wondered why I'd receive a message saying Cia had mentioned me. I should have known it had something to do with you! Your story remains a standout.

I will. Thanks.

That's wonderful!

Exactly. They did what they do, hunted down the prey in their pool. Time to stop punishing animals for human stupidity.

Ha! Don't trust 'em as far as you can throw them. I know exactly why he did it. Cheeky boy.

For some reason, tim asked me to drop in and let you know that it's: I'd recommend enjoying polar bears from afar, and do not attempt to swim with them as one woman did at a zoo in Germany. Thankfully, the bears were not punished for attacking her (prey). They managed to haul her out alive. Even zookeepers don't go into the polar bear enclosure when the bears are out. Insane. Have a good week.

Sounds like everyone is doing fairly well. As tim mentioned, we're all getting healthier at our house. tim is looking a lot better in his jeans these days.. 😇

There's this one ...

A rather dark and sad story. Tristan is under the thumb of William who refuses to free his apprentice. Well done. I enjoyed reading it very much.