Really???

I just talked with Peter. He told me he met with his psychologist doctor yesterday. And she said since he's doing so well on 2.5 Olonzopne, he probably doesn't need it and could go off it. That would mean he would be on no medication for schizophrenic disorder. According to Peter, he  said he wanted to stay on it another month. He also said he would be seeing a different doctor starting next month.

Yes I did react with "what!!!???". Peter said not to go in "all protective mom mode " and let him finish. So I did. He reminded me that these doctors were professionals. He said he just wanted me to have the information. Which "Praise the Lord,"  i'm so grateful for. I

thanked him for telling me.

And did not bring it back up as we continued to talk.

Peter has been doing well. I have seen a grandiose view of himself that has increased a bit this month. He has been ratherself-centered,  and obsessed with his appearance since the onset of his mental illness five years ago. He also has an elevated idea of himself in his abilities. It has seemed a little more this month. I hear it in the way he talks about his work. He is a hard worker, who is efficient and fast. However he has quit jobs before because he does not feel he is being paid enough or others are not meeting his standard. He seems to be doing good at his job although he has mentioned some conflict with other "lazy" workers. He's been managing his money and his job and his car for which i'm grateful. After years and years of not brushing his teeth, ever, he has actually started doing so regularly. He's continued to stay in touch with Mom and me. Often it's sending a selfie with some comment about his appearance. He has started losing some weight which is good. 

But the idea of him totally going off the medication does send me into a bit of a headspin, based on his past five year history. So I ask you to pray. I am grateful that a new doctor will be involved. Pray

this one is wise and will consider his history. I do not have access to these doctors. I do have a written document I created of peter's medical history from the past five years. It includes medicine and the things that have happened. I don't know whether they will consider it or not but I'm going to see if I can have it added to his file at that office. I have given it to Avita before but don't know that it has continued in his information.

Thank you for your many prayers regarding this issue the past month and I appreciate your continuing to pray. It brings me a lot of comfort to know I'm not alone in this. I have seen God's provisions this month. And trust that he can do more than I can hope or imagine. Please also continue to pray for Peter's awareness of God And his acceptance of God's love for him through Jesus.

Peter update

Thank you to all who have prayed for Peter this past couple of weeks.  I thought I would share that at this point Peter seems to be managing well on the lower medication dosage.  I have not noticed anything alarming.  We went to a Braves game Tuesday as he got a steal on last minute tickets.  He did talk about how he was sleeping less and eating less and had more energy. He also talked about  hyper-focusing on things.  That isn't how he described it but it is what I have seen - like detailed focus on his wardrobe and appearance.  He sees all of this as positive.  I know that it has its benefits however I know that it can be related to mania and have it's downside.  So far there is nothing that seems unsafe or scary.  He called and talked last night and he plans to have lunch with mom and I today. He mentioned that he has an appointment this week.  I assume it is either with his doctor or therapist at Avita.  The fact that he goes to those appointments on his own is a positive thing.  

At this point my prayers include his willingness to stay on medication (and not decide he wants to go off meds all together); he continues to manage successfully at work and in his apartment situtions; safety as he drives!; widsom for those at Avita and Supportive Housing who work with him; Positive social interactions.  I know he would love to have a buddy to go to games with and talk sports (besides me.)

Thank you again for caring and praying.  

Peter End of April

Peter's car broke down about two weeks ago. He is hopeful that he can get it tomorrow. I am hopeful that these expensive repairs will give the car some longevity. And he will be able to pay off his new repair debt. Peter is good about paying off his debt as long as he's got a job.

I have been helping to chauffeur Peter while his car is out of commission. Today I took him to a psych doctor's appointment with Avita. I sat in the car as I was told. He also told me that he has not signed papers for me to be in the loop as he is an adult and does not want me involve. On one hand I am relieved. However it also concerns me because Peter also told me that he's going to start on a lower dosage of his medicine. It was at his request and he hopes it will help with the weight gain. I imagine it was also agreed upon by the doctor because Peter has indicated that there was a liver test that was not normal. He's meds can effect the liver. I know nothing more than that. However my concern comes from the fact that his Medication dosage is already really low. My prayer is that this lower does continues to be effective. And if not, the Doctor will make appropriate changes in a timely manner before things go South. Peter's been doing really well. He's pleasant to be round, has a place to live, a car to drive, and a decent job. This has been possible due to somewhat reasonable thinking on his part . My prayer is that the medication change does not alter it.  

Thank you for praying with me regarding this.

STILL HERE!!!!

 It looks like it has been over 2 months since my last post.  Thus you can assume no major crisis has happened.  It has been a pleasant couple of months with lots of activity.  I helped coordinate one wedding for a coworker while attending another for a friend.  Peter and I saw a GA  bulldawgs basketball game. Mom and I visited Anna and her kids in Greenville SC, meeting their newest addition Isaac. I  participated in three girl's weekend trips within 4 weeks.  This past weekend Mom and I purchased and planted flowers in her neighborhood pots.  (It is one of her ministries.) In the midst of this I have managed to work at my job, spend time with friends, see my therapist monthly, watch too much TV and keep my nails manicured.

There are no trips currently planned in the near future but I am not against jumping in on spontaneous plans.  With that said I do love being home.  If you haven't seen it, I live in a cute house with a porch swing that is next door to a park full of great sounds.  My azalea bush is in bloom ad I have lots of pending craft projects.  I am hoping to enjoy some home time especially with this beautiful spring weather.  As we near the end of May, things will amp up at work as we prepare for summer.  This summer our theme is Around the World in 8 weeks and I am really excited about the activities we are planning as we explore a variety of travel locations. I  have been trying to make it to the gym a few mornings a week, spend time on my porch swing daily and listen to more audio books. I just finished The Keeper by Charles Martin and An Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton.  I am in the process of working through Captivating by Joh and Stasi Eldridge. All have been worthy time investments.

Peter has taken responsibility for his life and it has been good to step back a bit.  He texts me songs of the day and calls a few times a week to chat.  We try to meet up for a meal every week or two.  He and mom also usually gather for a meal at least once a week.  I am proud of him.  He has been managing his job at Lowes, his car, his housing and meds fairly well from best I can tell.  He did talk me into preparing his taxes but he got the documentation together that I needed.  I need to be honest though that presently I am trying to manage a little anxiety over anticipating a coming storm.  Based on info from Peter, the mental health agency he works with switched him to a different office and doctor.  It's a good thing because it is indication that he is doing well.  They had him get some blood work done and the results for his liver have them wanting to do another test.  I have no clue of really more than that.  I do know his current medication can affect the liver as well as cause weight gain.  Though heavier than Peter's norm he has been working out trying to keep it from getting out of control.  I think he also benefits from being on a low dose of Olanzapene.  My concerns are if they decide to switch meds that we could head into another downward spiral. He also currently does not have medicaide and the hospital recently charged him $1700 to draw blood (as he was instructed by the folks at Avita -the mental health agency.)  He initiated applying for financial aide as well as medicaide for which I am really proud of him for being proactive.  Peter continues to receive SSDI benefits which along with his Lowe's  25 hrs a week and susidised housing allows for him to afford his car, its very expensive insurance, food and a few other low cost luxuries.  He is trying to put money into Savings as he  isonce again talking about trying to go to school.  This time to get his CDL license so that he can drive a truck.  And if you have seen him drive, you know how I feel about that.  However I applaud his initiative and chose to trust God with the rest. This past week he received notice that Social Security has overpaid him by about $4000 and wants it back. He called to tell me about it and we agreed it was crazy.  He was reasonably upset but managed it well and said he would go talk with his support person at the Apartments who helps him with things like that. A montho ago he proposed that he and I go to Texas sometime this year.  He wants to fly somewhere - go on a trip and I would love for him to have that chance if we can work it out. I recently received a contact for him to see about getting help with past medical debt as well as for creating a PAD (Psychiatric Advanced Directive.)  I am hoping to get those initiated this Friday when I have the day off.

Mom continues to stay quite busy.  She bakes her cookies for neighbors, the counseling office of our friend, and anytime I need cookies.  She attended a bible study at church the past 6 weeks.  With the warm weather the puzzles are currently set aside as whe works in her yard. Every year she says she is going to buy less and every year she finds more beautiful flowers that need a home in her back yard and now side yard.  It currently is begining to burst forth with color.

This sounds like a belated Christmas letter as it recaps our various activities and news.  You don't need all this info but in case you were wondering.  To complete the Chirstmas letter vibe I will throw in a few pictures from the last few months.  Thanks for listening and until next time, whenever that may be,  thanks for being a part of our lives!

Mom's car loaded up  with flowers for the neighborhood pots.

My happy place - Seaview Inn at Pawleys Island

favorite view

I brought streamers on sticks because why not!

And Helen a Tiara because every girl needs one.

College girls weekend in Greenville

Melissa, Leanne, and Tonya

The bonus of passing through  the Greenville SC area a good bit recently:

Big Sister Avery

Big Sister Livey

 "my boy" Elias

and my newest joy in frequenting the area, Isaac

Mountain House on Blue Ridge PArkway near Galax VA

view when the fog cleared

Girls weekend with the women who raised me after college

Beth and May

Cardio workout with the kids

Summer and David's Lego themed wedding

First time to coordinate wedding with a groomswoman and a ring dog.

Mama Millie meets Isaac

Snow on the Beach

This is not a commentary on a Taylor Swift song.  This is about my latest adventure.  Shortly after the New Year, my friend and co-worker, Emily, talked about taking a needed little vacay from her family and work.  Emily is the mom of three adorable and creative preschoolers as well as the busy assistant director of our preschool. I volunteered to be her driver.  We considered a variety of warm destinations landing on Folly Beach just outside of Charleston SC for Jan 23-26.  We had no idea that this (and all the other considered destinations) would be hit by the Southern Snowstorm just before our trip! We headed out Thursday morning knowing that icy bridges could be a problem.   But thanks to Google Maps we found a way that avoided major bridges and brought us to our beachfront hotel without any slipping or sliding.  It was a real treat to see snow on the beach.  We even built a snowman on Friday.  By Saturday roads and bridges were clear enough that we went into Charleston.

Emily and I had never done anything outside of work so we joked that 4 days together was pretty risky.  The conclusion is that we made good traveling companions, traveling at a similar speed.  We were both happy to be in our comfy clothes early in the evening,  talking, working on a puzzle, or playing Genius Star.  Though we talked at school, we each had lots of untold stories thus there was lots of conversation.  It was a great little getaway and snow on the beach was a bonus.

57

This past week, I had a birthday. I feel about thirty in my soul, but my body often agrees with the 1968 on my birth certificate.  January 16 was a sweet day. There were many birthday texts on my phone.  The advantage of working in a preschool is that small children greatly value a birthday. They love proclaiming "Happy Birthday" so I received many well wishes. I was gifted several other sweet treats throughout the day. 

For the family celebration, Mom made a Mexican dinner at her house. When I arrived her living room was full of helium balloons. This was Peter's contribution. Originally there were 57 helium balloons but it sounds like they all did not make it to Mom's house. They had quite the story about the two of them getting the balloons to mom's house. We had a good meal and fun conversations. A couple of days before my birthday, Mom took me shopping so the gifts were really "just what I wanted" as I had picked them out. I got about 2/3 of the balloons in my car to take to my house. That includes the one trailing home behind the car. The celebration continues as the balloons bounce around my house in various states of deflation.

My house Thursday

My house today
I am finding them in every room of the house!

I'm grateful for another year of life. It was a year of good adventures and making memories. And I'm so glad for my friends and family with whom I shared it.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It has been a sweet couple of weeks.  It began with Mom and I joining friends May and Kevin at Litchfield Beach.  On the way, we stopped by to visit one of mom's former neighbors who recently moved to the NC coast to live with her daughter.  We had a great visit with Syd and her family.

On to Litchfield Beach, we had plans to stay in the same Condo as last year.  But a little mix-up allowed us an upgrade that was even bigger and closer to the water.  It was a lovely kafuffle.

Our daily quest was to brave the cold and search for shells, specifically the Pawley's shell.  We three ladies all found at least one.  Mom found hers in the last minutes of our searching just before we left.

Mosst of the time the sun was shining but it was cold!

We worked on puzzles, played games, ate good food, took fun little outings, built a gingerbread nativity, and had a delightful time.

   

It was another great Christmas at the beach.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were quiet and restful.  It was nice for us three to all be together at Mom's.

For the holidays, I have had a special companion.  I am keeping Lincoln while his family is away.  He is the best dog and I have enjoyed his company.  It has been a fun little addition to my holidays.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!