Are You Depressed?

Depression would have you experiencing feelings of being hopeless. You would not get out of bed. Having energy would be a faint memory. You may have feelings of guilt. When you are depressed, you'd have a difficult time taking care of children, work and life.

You are not to blame! Depression is an illness. 

Therapy and medication can help. You need a professional to determine what's appropriate for you.

There are many effective treatments - and they all take time to work. There is no instant gratification; but, with patience, determination and diligence, you can be gratified in due time. 

Then -- you will start to lighten, brighten your attitude and outlook. Interests will spark up; sleep and energy will return. 

Persevere with treatment; don't give up!! Kick frustration away. Take your specific combination of meds and psychotherapy and see things working! 

Learn about yourself through all of this.
 
Do right by you. :) 
 

Elbow Envy

Saw my surgeon today - it isn't going to heal anymore. Rehab is futile.
Another surgery recommended - nerve damage possible.

And with that bad news, I remain pleased that it isn't worse; that I'm not having to carry my left arm around in my right! It could be much worse.

Call me disabled with a good attitude.

Positive thinking isn't exactly what's going on here. I dont believe I'll wake up one day with my arm suddenly working again. But, there are positives in this picture. 

In a year, maybe there'll be better screws and plates out there. - Really! 

Maybe something good will happen. That's possible, after all, isn't it. My glass is half full. 

Even free-spirits get tested by life stuff. After going through everything since Hurricane Katrina, surely figured I was done for a while.   

Appreciate your elbows!!!!

Here's a link to the page about my book. It will be available on amazon.com soon! 
www.misadventuresofaneworleansgirl.com

At the bottom of that page, there're links to other pages with different excerpts. 

Thanks for reading my blog. Please write-in with your experiences. 

How do you cope??

Stay Positive

Staying positive isn't as easy as you may wish. 

That Gulf of Mexico disaster is a good example; take some of those fishermen. 

They aren't sitting on their duffs. They are meeting with their peers and area officials to devise immediate answers to a long-ranging, BIG problem. 

They are taking precautions to secure their livlihoods where ever they can. 

Not to say that all affected by "The Gulf of Texico," as some are calling it, have ability to do much, now, in the thick of it. Sorry, Texaco fans, it just rhymes. 

Look at the families and friends of the 11 souls that were killed. Do you think they see ANYthing positive? No; I don't. 

So, how do they get beyond the shock and dire sadness at hand?

Time heals most wounds - eventually. But, what about NOW? How are they supposed to sleep and take nourishment when their bodies / entire systems are in turmoil?

One moment at a time; one day at a time is too much to handle. 

You look for diversions: People to talk with, things that make you laugh, going out of your house - for a walk, a cup of tea, a movie. 

Help yourself get out of your mind, not go out of your mind! Maybe it's not the best time for scrapbooks and memories. They will be there for you later, when you are strong again. 

What do you do when you need to stay positive in the midst of calamity?