Tag Archive for 'ptsd'

unmedicated

Published
by
iAN
on April 28, 2008
in general musings
. 4 Comments

August 5th, 2006: I am pretty happy with life in general.

August 6th, 2006: Upset to be leaving to Iraq for a year, but sure the trek will make me stronger, better.

August 6th, 2007: 365 days in Iraq; nearly 60 days to go - my confidence wanes.  I am unhappy.

September 26th, 2007: My feet are back on the ground in Hawaii, and I am happy to be home.

April 22nd, 2008: After dealing with serious emotional issues for several months, I succumb to the reality I may need medication.

April 23rd, 2008: I visit the Soldier Assistance Center and ask to see my provider to discuss medication options.  I am told walk-in hours are at 7:30 AM. Won’t you please come back tomorrow?

April 24th, 2008: It is 7:15 AM and I wait for the doors to open.  They do, and I am told all questions regarding medication must be addressed in their daily walk-in medication briefings, held at 1:30 PM.  Won’t you please come back this afternoon?

April 28th, 2008: Unable to return for Thursday’s walk-in, and again unable to enjoy the weekend, I take time out of my day off to travel to work and attend the medication briefing.  I am told those briefings are held at 10:30 AM on Mondays. Won’t you please come back tomorrow?

Tomorrow I have a dental appointment at 10:30, and bigR’s soccer practice at 5.  It is highly unlikely I will be given the liberty to disappear from work three times in one day.  Won’t you please try again Wednesday?

At this point I am certain I would have more success seeking “medication” from random strangers on the streets of Wahiawa.

theraputicising

Published
by
iAN
on April 8, 2008
in general musings
. 0 Comments

I would be remiss in my duties as a historian were I to ignore recounting the counseling session I attended yesterday. In short, it was great. I only teared up a little bit, but just remember I’m a lot stronger than you, Constant Reader, and if you tell anyone I cried, I’ll kick your ass.

The doc I saw was a wonderful young woman with a very pleasant way about her. She obviously loves her work and I appreciate the dedication she has to improving others’ lives. (Plus I gave her this address, so if she actually makes it around to reading here, I figured a kind (and honest!) word would be a nice touch!)

We did the typical life history thing, going all the way back to nineteen eighty-something and discussing family life from way back when to the present.

I’ll spare all the gory details, but I definitely think I’m on a good path, and I have high hopes for my progression, and for the strength of my family. I’ll be attending monthly sessions with Miss M, and weekly group PTSD sessions (which I truly hope are nothing at all like the Stress Management classes I took back in Fort Bragg!).

Updates to be written as the story develops …