In hospital geoff

[geoff]

Geoff in hospital trying to use my iPhone and login if and getting to BB is atrocious for me and even whatI type isn't correct so I am going to this phone away when I get out and CHirstopher hope I spelt it correct I a. Going to.be disappointed if I miss the bus in my area as I'm not even sure I will be of here. I. have tried the enlarger the screen but that's useless to me so all up I'm sore and frustrated and missing the site bugger it Geoff

[geoff]

dear Basil, I really appreciate you coming back to say hello to me and your words of encouragement mean the the world to me, and I have to say I wish I could remember, but that's not point, because you can remember and that's what this site is for.

I would love to hear how you are going, and if I have helped you then my purpose being on here has been worthwhile.

Thanks so very much. Geoff.

[geoff]

dear SM, I also want to thank you so much again as you're a champion, and all of us help not only each other but everyone else, and the replies to other people you make are spot on.

I know that there is an age difference between us, but that doesn't mean anything, it's the understanding that our advice help those desperately needing help, and once you have this understanding we all quickly learn, so well done to you and thank you again. L Geoff x

[geoff]

dear Pipsy, of course I haven't forgotten you.

You have done well to help your neighbour and we know the pain that she is going through, and you can only be a support for, you can't mentally take on board the sorrow on how she feels, you know and you understand what she is going through, so can I give you an example which helped me through my depression at the end.

I looked after several elderly people once I had overcome my depression, and these people were depressed for various reasons, but that's another story it's the theory that matters.

When I went to see these people they were so pleased to see me, I listened to what they were saying, they just wanted to talk, so I took on board what they said, and no matter how upset or depressed they were they felt better, just to be able to have someone to listen to them, but when I left them and came home I learnt to switch off, it was now my time, and if I worried about their problems while I was home then that would cause anxiety and if I couldn't sleep generally then this would just make it worse.

So you can listen and even talk about your neighbours problems but once you go home you have to turn off and don't worry.

Your other neighbour who passed away at the age of 91 I'm so sorry to hear and there is never any time to pass away, it's always so hard to cope with.

Take care. L Geoff. x

[pipsy]

Hi Geoff.  Hope you're feeling well today. Thank you for your advice re: my neighbor.  I didn't 'take on board' her depression, I listened and empathized, but I 'left' the depression there.  All I did was try to 'open' some doors for her.  I knew that if I took her depression home, I would undo all the work I've done to lift myself up.  I offered to do what I could, when I could, but if I am unable, I will not feel guilty.  Her kids have made the mistake of being at her beck and call 24/7.  Her son works with L and he told L that him and his wife are trying to 'step back'.  I appreciate your concern and it's great for me to have your support and advice in this matter.  L and I are starting to work things out better.  Because of how I treat him, his attitude towards me is changing.  I think he is also realizing how bad his parents treated me.  Nothing is said and I don't think he will ever be able to 'stand' up to them, but he's not breaking his neck to be with them.  Having said that, from March 24th he goes on annual/long service leave till October/November when he officially retires.  They know this and whether they put the 'bite' on him to spend more time with them, it will be interesting to see what transpires.  He is hoping to get part time/ casual work after March.  If this happens, they will have to accept he will see them when he can.  If he doesn't get another job, they may pressure him to go there more often.  Whatever happens, it will be them pressurizing him and I hope he realizes this.  I have said nothing and will continue (God willing) to keep 'mum'.  He has indicated he wants to spend more time with me.  He is still talking about wanting to go away and I have decided to suggest that he ring them before we go so we can spend quality time together.  I will put it in such a way that he will realize (I hope), that if he is talking to them, how can we be spending time together.  He is going to see them next week, so I might go to visit a friend from the church.  I have reconnected with a lot of my friends from the church and I know I am welcome wherever I go.  I realize that sounded smug, but it is true.  Well, my friend, you take care.  When do you start the next part of your treatment, have you started walking yet?  Remember, slow and easy does it.  Cheers and good luck.  Much love P.xxx       

[geoff]

dear Pipsy, thanks for getting back to me, and remember when you first started posting here I can see an enormous change in you, because your confidence has improved so much, and you now have your mind determined to do what you want, and to be able to do this is a massive bonus for you, well done.

How is the cream going on your face and have you gone back to the doctor to get their advice whether it's working, I hope so.

The other issue is I hope that you have 10 more free sessions, and depending on how you feel is it possible to draw these sessions out over the year, however if you are still concerned about yourself then use them up.

It's good that you have reconnected with your friends at the church, and this is because of your gained confidence which includes your self esteem.

I'm now walking with one crutch, even though it's slow, it will get better, as my youngest son has to go to work on monday, so I'm on my own.

Both my sons have been fantastic and spending time with them has been really good, because we all like a joke.

Look forward in hearing back from you. L Geoff. xx

[pipsy]

Hi Geoff, pleased to hear you're walking on one crutch.  Just remember, patience, onward and upward.  Hope it's not too painful.  How long do you walk?  The cream is having the desired effect.  I went to the G.P this morning and he is most pleased with the progress.  There is a redness in the area and it's slightly swollen, but this is to be expected, so, so far, so good.  I do have one problem, I am finding it hard to sleep.  I go to bed around 10/11p.m feeling really tired - and - wake up.  I eventually get to sleep around 3/4 a.m, waking up about an hour and a half later.  Because of this, I'm starting to feel physically ill.  My G.P is doing a blood test in a couple of weeks to rule out Thryoid problems.  L has said he is prepared to walk with me in the evenings to see if that tires me out enough to sleep, here's hoping.  Before I did that (which won't be mentioned) I used to walk an hour each morning.  Since then, I have lost the incentive to walk so getting back into a routine (which is what the G.P suggested) is the best thing, also the hardest.  If my Thyroid is okay, the G.P said we'll look at what else I can do.  He is reluctant to prescribe sleeping pills and I don't want to go down that road.  Hopefully, we'll sort it.  I have a little anecdote to share with you, I hope it brings a smile to your face.  About 9 years ago, I started experiencing a very embarrassing personal problem, it was a recurring problem.  I eventually decided to seek medical opinion and I saw L's G.P who is in business with mine.  The G.P sent me for blood tests and we discovered I had type 2 diabetes.  This situation has now been resolved, I don't even need medical help.  A couple of years later, I again had to see L's G.P as I had big, itchy, red circles all over my back.  I was informed I had Shingles, evidently I'd had Chicken Pox as a baby.  Since then I've had to see L's G.P once or twice and, each time, I've been 'bowled' over by unexpected not so nice news.  It has become a bit of a standing joke with L and I.  Last Saturday I was feeling sick and thought my left ear might be blocked with wax (that's another story).  I decided to visit the G.P, you guessed it, L's G.P.  As I was leaving, L said, don't come back with your leg in plaster.  I couldn't help laughing.   Everything checked out alright.  Good luck with your walking, keep up the good work.  Pity you're not here, you help me, I help you.  Much love P. xxx     

[geoff]

dear Pipsy, I'm pleased it's not diabetes, and would like to know about your thyroid test, which has tendency to make you tired, which doesn't fit with how you sleep, but I'm no doctor.

Oh shingles how painful and itchy that is, as I've had it on my breast around my nipples but god it hurts and was told that I must have been stressed to get it.

What we have to go through in life it doesn't seem to be fair at all.

Good luck and looking forward to hearing back from you. L Geoff. xx

[pipsy]

Hi Geoff, you're right about the things we have to put up with, the up's and down's.  I think it makes us better people, because we feel more appreciative when we're feeling good.  I think if we never experience 'downs' we can't possibly help others through their 'downs'.  Once you've 'been there, done that', you know what you're talking about.  Can you understand what I've just said?  Bye the way, I'm curious and a little bit flattered.  I see I'm being called a 'distinguished' member on the BB site.  What does that actually mean?  Is that because I no longer write on the 'depression' site?  I love your new photo.  I'm going to see if I can get L to help me put my photo on.  I hope you won't get a fright. lol.  Much love. P.xxx

[geoff]

dear Pipsy, yes I well and truly understand what you are saying and congratulations on becoming a distinguished member, which I believe someone gets after a certain amount of posts. L Geoff. xx

[Zeal]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for your kind words. You're right, age doesn't ultimately matter. Thank you for being so considerate and welcoming to me, and to everyone else on this forum 🙂

Best wishes,

SM