Monday, November 9, 2009

November

When I posted about the annual period of mania, I am referring not just to the fall, but to November. Last November was when everything went to hell in a hand basket. Caroline had the worst fall of her life last year (and ours too), ending up with spending over a month in the hospital. I have seen other parents struggle with November as well with their bipolar child.

November means Thanksgiving, which is a whole other issue. Where do we have Thanksgiving? Do we travel three hours up to see my husband's family and risk having it all ruined by an unpredictable child? Or do we stay here and host Thanksgiving, still not knowing how Caroline might be on that day? I think we are staying here, although the kids would much rather travel. We'll see...

4 comments:

  1. Remember you all are invited to our house :-)

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  2. After all of the changing plans, I had forgotten about that! If my sister decides to stay here, then we will have thanksgiving at our house with them. If not, let's talk. We have other people we would be inviting from CG.

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  3. Your website looks great! I almost didn't recognize you! Oh, boy, I could comment pages on the November cycle. Four Novembers ago daughter Linea was hospitalized for a drug overdose. She was manic and prescribed anti-anxiety meds....she was 19. Last November she was swaying but staying stable. This November she is fighting a depression and has just had lithium added to the mix. But she is managing it ON HER OWN with help from us as requested. Her therapist is working with her on PTSD because it seems that the cycles (when they are really bad) are remembered by the body so the therapist feels that if Linea works on the trauma of the overdose and understands this time of year better she can be more proactive. I still freak out but she is now at a point where she asks me to help her with some chores when she is feeling so crummy. Linea is finishing college, living in an apartment, writing and speaking about bipolar AND asking her mom to mail packages for her and help with her laundry. Because she is managing her bp. YAY!! It takes time and more time and lots of anguish but I believe that it will settle down for your dear daughter! Oh yes, and Linea's birthday is 11/28! Take care, hold on, breathe!

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  4. Novembers and not fun at our house either. So far, going well. I hope that all works out for your family as well.

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