Presents and Stephen Update
Two very special people gave me really neat birthday presents on Friday and yesterday. My birthday isn’t until the 17th, Tuesday – but my best friend and my hubby decided not to wait.
My best friend got me something I’ve never seen before, but I’m so excited about it. Please let me know if you’ve ever seen this!
It’s called a “Smartbox” and looks like it’s in many countries – but I’ve only just now seen it thanks to my best friend, Dawn.
What is it?
She purchased for me a “Smartbox Charming Getaways – Northeast and California”. I get to go through the book and choose where I want to go. It’s a one night stay for two at any of the locations in the book that comes in the cute little box. Oh my goodness! What fun! You choose from over 50 locations!
Most are Bed and Breakfasts, and I’m completely excited! Not sure whether to take her or my hubby. Hmmmm. Hubby and I deserve more time together, but so does she and I. We’ll see what I pick!
From the hubby I got a Wacom Intuos3 6×11 tablet. I’ve been playing around with it, but not too sure how to do certain things. It’s so much fun! I think Tess has one – so maybe she can tell me what her favorite thing to do on it is! I’m working on that theme I wanted to do with mostly my own drawings for illustration, so I’ll just keep playing until I get something I like! Oh so much FUN!
On to my son, and an update on him. He’s been released from the psychiatric hospital to a crisis group home. He’s been at that particular group home before, so he’s comfy going there. I took him from the hospital to the home, and his whole demeanor is wonderful. Very uplifted and happy. Albeit not too happy about the partial hospitalization that comes after the group home.
I’ll be taking Stephen to a facility every day I work so that he’s not home alone. I’ve insisted on this as I don’t believe he’s safe at home yet until he gets more assistance.
Interesting note – they did a rule out on Bi-Polar. Which is what they’ve been saying he has. They did a pretty in depth review on him and have given him a diagnosis of schizophrenia with psychotic disorder. Well, interesting. They have him on Lithium. Ouch.
We’ll see, I’m just following along with my strong suggestions – and they are listening quite well so far. We’ll see how this goes.
But to see my son smiling and telling me he misses me – well, warms my heart and drys my tears. He’ll be okay. I know it.
Work – AWESOME! I enjoy doing what I do, and I even got my first paycheck! Yeah!
There you have it – Update from Monica!
Now I get to go play with my tablet!! Draw Draw Draw
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Tags: intuos, lithium, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, smartbox, stephen, tablet, wacom
22 Responses to “Presents and Stephen Update”
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Monica,
I think I’ve come across your blog before, but had missed the posts about your son. My daughter had a Psychotic Break at age 14. She was also diagnosed at the time with Schizophrenia with Psychotic features. She will be 16 in April. Her diagnosis has changed over time. She had a diagnosis of Schizophreniform for awhile. Her current diagnosis is Bipolar. She currently does not suffer from psychosis. She did have psychosis in varying severity for over a year. While she has never attempted suicide, she has talked about it quite a lot, but when she does it’s in such a clinical way that for the most part her doctors and the hospital discounted it, but still put her on suicide watch anyway.
Not having read all of your posts, I don’t know how familiar you are with psychotropic medications. People on lithium need to have their blood levels closely monitored because lithium levels can become toxic and deadly. I have managed to avoid lithium for my daughter. She’s been on a number of different medications, some worked for awhile. She’s been on Depakote and Risperdal for quite awhile now and it seems to be working well.
There is a Yahoo group that I’ve found very helpful for support, Our BP Kids. Although BP is in the name, many of the parents have children with other psychological issues and are a great source of information on medications and a great source of support. If you haven’t heard of them, you may want to check it out.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OurBPKids/
Here is a link from my blog about my daughter’s illness:
http://lolasdiner.blogspot.com/2009/01/100th-post-by-special-request-ii.html
Feel free to email me.
lolasdiner@yahoo.com
Lola’s last blog post..Lemonade Award
Lola – I just read the link you gave me about your daughter’s illness. I could feel so much of it was the same as what we are going through. His first attempt at suicide was September of 2007. This recent one is his 2nd full attempt, but in between he’s been hospitalized now four times.
He is different, but I catch glimpses of the same little boy I know. I don’t think I’ve truly ever come to terms with all of this. I’ve been so busy *fighting* for his rights along the way. At this point I’ve lost count of how many different medications he’s been on. Sometimes, I think it’s the meds doing all of this to him. To be honest, I don’t think I’m far off.
Thank you so very much for stopping to post on this. I do feel quite lost.
Glad to hear that your tears are dry for now and it’s so great that your son smiled at you and of course it’s always nice to hear you’re missed.
I wish I could say something profound and helpful like Lola above. I really can’t because I have no idea what you must be going thru. But I’m thinking of you… I hope that’s enough.
Penny’s last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day!
Penny… comments don’t need to be profound. Even when folks say “hi” it lights up my day!
You are wonderful Penny… completely! HUGE HUGS!
You deserve that Smartbox and more! What a great gift idea. I need to give a strong hint to my best friend, as in “look how clever this is. I’d love one of these!”
Take care of you.
LOL smart idea! She found it at a bookstore – Borders – if that helps!!
First I am glad that Stephen is doing better and can be at home again. You are doing a good job taking care of his needs. You do really deserve that Smartbox and I hope you will truly enjoy your get away!
Thank you Diane! By the way… how much snow do you have right now? I say Renny’s pics – WOW!
Thank you again! I think we all could use a SmartBox~
Oh I am soooo happy to hear that Stephen is doing better!!! It just so wonderful to hear. Know that I’m keeping yall in my thoughts and prayers!!!
@thinkin Thank you!!
We appreciate your thoughts!
OH how cool are those presents..I have a bamboo tablet I have yet to master!! I keep putting it away, I guess if I keep putting it away I will never master it huh. But its so hard to train this old dog hmmm…. Great, wonderful news about how your son is doing, very happy to hear that….I am so happy he is smiling again and that is warming the heart and drying your tears, but have to say that brings tears to my eyes!! I wish you a Happy Birthday ( a few days early) and hope you have a wonderful day at work tomorrow!!
Susan’s last blog post..Well that sucked! NOT!!
@Susan – Oh let me know when you do get to using it!!
Thank you so much for the Birthday thoughts! 
I’m glad that warmed your heart too.
Happy birthday!!!
Glad to read your son is feeling better!
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@Chelle – thank you for the Bday wishes!!
Happy Birthday . . . have a blessed and joyous day
Thank you!
I so totally missed this post
I’m sorry Monica… I’ve been working overtime and didn’t check blogs lately. I hope you had a wonderful birthday with lots and lots of happy moments! I love what your friend gave you and I think you have a very wise husband *hehe*
Yes I have a Wacom
and I use it each and every day: pen only because of bad RSI. My favourite application would be Photoshop: I used to airbrush paintings and I really miss doing that, it was intense and time-consuming but very relaxing. The airbrush option in Photoshop is not the real deal but an extremely welcome substitute 
I’m sure you’ll be addicted soon *hehe*
I’m happy to hear Stephen is doing well! And also happy to hear the doctors are finally listening
Big fat hug for both of you!
Tess’s last blog post..Syntax Overdrive
Do not be sorry at all Tess! I can only get on now on weekends I’m busy!
I had a great bday to be sure! #41 this year!
I totally don’t know how to use this yet… but I’m hoping maybe to find a tutorial? Stephen is doing good! They are listening, but are angry with me that I’m so “unflexible”. Which, I guess I understand… but, we have things we get to do!
Monica, this might be helpful… I’m not sure what applications you’re using but this sounds cool
Tess’s last blog post..More Notebooks
OMG perfect!~ I’m gonna check it out!!!
I did not forget your birthday…really I didn’t
I have something for you and I’m just going to mail it because who knows when we’re cross paths again..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
now for Stephen, I completely understand what you’re going through, Mason is now on lithium and ambien and I think he’s probably more Schizophrenia with Psychotic than Bipolar but he seems happy again, so I have complete hope for Stephen, he may not seem the same, but somewhere deep inside, he’s the same kid you have always known. Just as I am on those bad days, I’m still the same person, albeit somewhat sluggish. Hang in there. Call me if you need to talk to someone that completely understands what’s going on in Stephen’s head or just because.
Thanks Julie!!!
I’m so happy he’s feeling better (Mason). Is the Lithium new for him?