Family Update

[hiddenmuse]

I finally got a hold of my parents this morning. Taylor did get her Harry Potter book - they went by numbers, not last names. :)

My stepdad had 4 hours of tests and evaluations, and it was found that he has bleeding behind the retina - possibly from diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness in diabetics. It was something that may have happened 10-15 years from now, but the accident may have aggravated it. So, he's going in for the first of several surgeries this afternoon.

Kind of scary stuff there, if you ask me. But I'm glad that he's getting it treated now, rather than having it prolong and worsen.

Also, he's still been in physical pain from the accident, and while I was re-reading How To Heal Depression, there was a section about how depression can manifest itself as physical pains - or even chronic physical pains/illness being something that can lead to depression. This only struck me because my stepdad has bipolar disorder, and I wonder if perhaps his lingering pain is related to the depressive cycle. I don't know if he's still on the Wellbutrin, or if he's even still seeing his psychiatrist - but getting his moods in balance could probably help ease the pain considerably, I'd imagine.


I'm having a fairly good day. No big plans - just hanging out, maybe getting in a nap. Really exciting, I know.

Comments

[sigmaration.livejournal.com]

Oh sure... don't pay attention to what I'm saying and type a journal entry instead. *harumph*.

It was wonderful to hear your voice as usual. Please send my get well wishes to your stepdad. Fiddling with the eyes is skeery stuff for sure.

As for the depression in physical pain -- I can totally see how the two could be related. A lot of people don't take depression seriously as a medical condition, but do take physical pain seriously. So maybe sometimes the body sends physical pain signals so that you'll take the problem seriously. And I know several people who became extremely depressed when they were dealing with painful, long term or fatal illnesses.

My mother always accused me of "accidentally" hurting myself (banging my knee in the door, stubbing my toe on the stairs, etc) when I was angry or upset just to get attention. But I don't really know if that's the same thing or not. Hee.

I love you. :)

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Well :-P to you, m'dear! *g*

Yeah, I just talked to mom - the surgery went well (2 1/2 hours!), and is the first of several on his right eye. Once they finish his right eye, they will operate on his left eye.

He described the laser as feeling like it was "penetrating into his brain" and "electrocuting him". Ouchies. At least they Rx eyedrops are powerful enough to be used 1 drop only, 3x/day.

I did mention my "conspiracy theory" about the depression/pain correlation, and she could see that possibility. That the physical pain is great enough to affect daily functioning at times, which in turn leaves him feeling quite despondent. As for his being on meds & all - the shrink he went to gave him ONE test before diagnosing him as bipolar. Needless to say, once the accident treatments are taken care of, they may look for a better shrink.

And I love you too. :)

[redaryl.livejournal.com]

I hope everything goes well with your dad.