FIRST WEEK BACK FROM THE PSYCHIATRIC WARD: DOWN & UP & UP & DOWN

Our son was released from the hospital one week ago. A week that felt like a month.

Minute 1: Upon our greeting he declared that he'd rather live on the street than live at home with us.

Nice start.

Minute 2: We found out that he had skipped his medicine the night before. Great hand off.

Minute 3: He wanted to know how we were going to make him take his medicine now that he was out.

Hard ball....and...at this point we were wondering if we were even going to make it to the door

and into the car.

On the way home we tried to hand him a medication for anxiety and he hit his mom.

We were on minute 14.

We stopped by his psychiatrist (miracles do happen...we could get in and were in the area)

so that we could restate how taking the medicines would save him from going back

to a lock up facility.

We also got the OK to up the dosage since the hospital was going to do it anyway, but instead released him.

(...which now made us the guinea pigs from here on out)

***

Day 2: Better

Day 3: We found the Partial Hospitalization Program that was on our insurance. We filled out the paperwork then went home.

Day 4: We got our son to the program. The counselor met with us and we formulated a plan.

He joined the Second Chance group for those who are survivors of their own suicide attempts. 

(Yes, it's that serious)

Day 5: Lots of rage, depression, anger about the unfairness of life. But still taking meds.

Day 6: Horrible out of town trip. Endless battles with bad attitudes. Trip ended with his idea of wanting to jump off a pier to drown. (Wow, fun trip for all us....wonder if things are going to get better....ever)

Day 7: Better day. He apologized for the 'jump off the pier' ordeal. Lots of exercise and outdoor activities helped. Had friends over. Nice, but a bit of an overload. Build in 'alone' time concept into each day.

Day 8: Second week of Second Chance program. Great talks with counselors and with their psychiatrist. He is formulating ideas of what's going on. Our son is still having huge fears of slipping back into unreality.

We read the Bible and pray each night before bedtime. Psalms 40 is our favorite.

And there ends week ONE & I need a break.

***

Today's 5 minute break brings us back to Vasquez Sounds with a beautiful rendition of Demi Lovato's 'Skyscraper'. This girl can sing...she's got the magic touch. And her two brothers don't miss a beat. What a wonderful family band!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbcPtrf3_NE

my garden fence

MUSIC THERAPY & OCD

Music can be a real help with OCD thoughts.

A comforting message,

a smooth rhythm,

a lovely voice.

These can be soothing to a mind on overdrive.

My son has OCD and other mental health issues.

We both agree that music therapy has positive benefits.

What are his favorite songs?

I don't know. 

But I'll tell you one of mine.

***

Today's 5 minute break brings you a new face and a new group from Mexico.

Vasquez Songs consists of 3 siblings....two brothers and their younger sister.

Dad runs a sound studio, so the trio has been around music all their lives.

The videographer works magic here.

All around, this is my FAVORITE music discovery of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rBBwt8hnzw

Hurricane simulator in Galveston, Texas

BEAT PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA WITH ACCORDION MUSIC

My son did not have a good day. 

I will spare you the details, but let's just say

a vacation day can be ruined in an instant

when  paranoia turns into the idea that 'people are watching you'

all the time.

So now what....are we to take a vacation on an uninhabited island?

Geez....yes, people are going to watch each other at a beach....

but mental disorders take no vacation.

Still, we are back in one piece and the water was a beautiful blue green color.

***

When I'm about to go crazy with my son's mental disorder,

I reach for accordion music.

For some reason, accordion music seems appropriate.

Watch the player on the right's facial expressions.

He's a lot of fun and REALLY gets in to his music.

I could be automatic friends with this guy. 

I NEED SOME FUN PEOPLE IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW..

thank you Mr. Huib Holzken!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F458X1L8rg

on the way....

KEEP ON PUSHIN' BACK THE DARK

Our son is out of his second round in a Psychiatric Hospital.

He is now in a Partial Hospitalization Program

and he is fighting hard to not be depressed.

***

It's our job as parents to always stay OPTIMISTIC

to stay POSITIVE

to PRAISE the small accomplishments.

Mental illness is not anyone's fault,

and it can happen suddenly

to just about anyone.

Read some of the online stories and you'll see.

***

We take no small victory for granted.

The idea of JOY is slowly returning.

The idea that there is a BETTER FUTURE is creeping into the dark cave

that we call mental illness.

The medicines can meet us half way,

but there needs to be a circle of smiling faces

around the campfire

looking back at each other

and PUSHING BACK THE DARKNESS...which leads me to this song...

***

It's called 'Pushing Back the Dark' by Josh Wilson

Light a Candle and listen

and then listen again and again.

My gift to you, my friend.

You do not sit there in the darkness alone.

I'm here with you.

David/:0)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co2gthaWVrQ
"The Simple Version" of the song:

The "Fancy" Version of the song:

butterflies in a store