I'd like to say that it's been because of all good news, but that's seems to never be the case (although it hasn't all been bad either).
Short story
Cons:
- 6 different antidepressants in 2 months
- Massive job relationship difficulties
- Lost 40 pounds (yes, this IS a con - it puts me at the low end of a healthy BMI and I'm still working against losing more)
- Diagnosed as anemic
- Severe side effects and intolerance
- Counseling twice a week
- Wanting nothing to do with my husband
- No caffeine
Pros:
- Beginning job relationship progressions
- Kickass work presentations and papers
- 7 days of sex (ooh la la!)
- Lost 40 pounds (ooh! I get to buy more clothes!)
- Lately as of last week, I "graduated" from counseling and don't see my Psychiatrist for three months!
- Invigorated relationship with my husband.
- Alcohol is ok!
Current meds (as many generics as possible) (as of the past month- a big success):
- Cymbalta
- Xanax (ER, daily)
- Xanax (as needed)
- Vitamin B (double dose)
- Vitamin D
- Folic Acid
- Iron
- Ambien
There are the requisite "as needed" ones such as allergies, anti-imflammitories, headaches, nausea, etc. (about 20 others, sadly. Makes me nervous to fly :-P)
Overall Life:
Well, my digestive system has decided that I will not tolerate anything other than the foods that follow the most straight definition of healthy. Whole grains, vegetable fats (hummus, guac, etc.), lean meats, TONS of veggies and fruits are my friends. anything else is NOT. While I will miss all of the fast food, it makes finding things hard to eat. I'm attending a conference soon, and it's going to be difficult to make smart decisions.
Graduating counseling is both awesome as well as nerve wracking. I feel like I'm a baby bird being shoved out of the nest. However, I'm assured I can call her to schedule appts as needed. Awesome!
Work:
Work has gone from being very difficult and considering other job options to staying it out and hoping for a new position in the same department, to being ok with where I am and making it work. Apparently relationship problem solving is important. Who knew? I've been told before that while I'm on the high end intelligent (not a brag, just a fact - and I know my statistics :-P), I lack the ability to apply it to relationships. Once I started applying that critical thinking and problem solving to my coworkers, things started to get along much better! They might never be my favorite people to work with, but we can all have a professional relationship.
Marriage:
This was a massive change within a month. [Backstory: I took a "vacation" in LA for 9 days (my sis and bil needed a dog and house sitter, and I needed a vacation and to see my best friend. Fantastic trade on all accounts!] At the start I was very hesitant and starting to feel hopeless. However, after the seven days of sex, it really became clear how much we mean to him and just how little I'm fulfilling him in his love languages and discovering mine. We are serving each other in the other's lover languages and really working on communication and being a husband and wife, in those roles. Of course things will always come up, but it seems like they are more "typical" husband and wife things as opposed to "possibly gay and cheating husband" and "mentally unstable" wife. That said, we will always be the latter, and I'm really ok with that. That's how we will be. Some days will be hard, some will be easy. Regardless of the day, I have to be ok with what it is, and know how to handle it.
Conclusion: There is none. Living life with mental illness and infidelity in marriage will always been an adventure. I hope my outlook is always this positive, and I can guarantee you that I will be rereading this post many, many times again. There are so many things I can't control, and honestly, so many things I don't want to control.
Takeaway:
It's worth it.
Even on the days that my heart is completely broken, I admit it, sometimes I hide, but at the end of the day I'm still alive, and that may be the best that I can do. It fucking sucks.
On the flip side, there are days that I'm fabulous, kick ass at everything I do, and am completely positive and think that suicide could never be an option. I never know until I wake up. But something that I ALWAYS know: IT'S WORTH IT.
I have felt such love from a dear colleague and friend this week to whom I dedicate this particular post. I am so inspired by her and she continuously reminds me that I am not alone and it is worth it. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. The courage needed to fight MI is just as strong as the courage needed to fight any other disease. A loss to MI is just as sad and blameless as a loss to any other disease.
We have a community, even if you don't know it. There is always someone's heart who is breaking for yours. I love you is not said enough. If YOU need to hear this, hear it now. I love you. You are worth it.
