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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2005, at 15:40:56
In reply to Re: Camp Comfort, posted by AuntieMel on July 22, 2005, at 14:43:52
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050622/msgs/518342.html
Please come and keep me company at Camp Comfort! We can have breakfast together.
Posted by fallsfall on July 24, 2005, at 19:26:10
In reply to Re: Camp Comfort » AuntieMel, posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2005, at 15:40:56
You can get pictures of your therapist blown up to poster size and put them up wherever you want and noone looks at you funny. I have a picture of my therapist looking like a therapist, and I have a picture of him and his family (including dog) on their boat. So I have a "working" picture and a "vacationing" picture. I want them both blown up.
My daughter rolls her eyes when her sister suggested that I might want to erase the message from my therapist from the answering machine (she doesn't know I've copied them to a tape). She knows I keep a picture of him (in plain sight - but it is a tiny picure) on the headboard of my bed.
At Camp Comfort, noone rolls their eyes when you have pictures around to keep you company.
And I haven't even gotten past the first missed session yet, and I already miss him. I was freaking about work and I tried to tell myself what he would say, and tried to do what he would want me to do. But it is a little lonely.
I listened to his answering machine, and he has definately gone on vacation. He says that we can call his colleague if we need to. But he gave me his cell phone number - and when I saw him last he didn't tell me to call his colleague, just to call his cell.
Posted by AuntieMel on July 25, 2005, at 11:43:35
In reply to Re: Camp Comfort » AuntieMel, posted by fallsfall on July 23, 2005, at 15:40:56
I owe you a breakfast, don't I?
The knee is feeling a bit better - after cortisone and 5 weeks physical therapy - so I should be able to make it this time.
But I don't know if I qualify. I'm not really all that dependent on my therapist. Or at least I tell myself I am not. Though a couple of weeks ago when I got some bad news I *did* think of calling him.
Posted by fallsfall on July 25, 2005, at 15:30:00
In reply to Re: breakfast » fallsfall, posted by AuntieMel on July 25, 2005, at 11:43:35
Glad the knee is better.
Some of us need Camp Comfort more than others. Since you will have a little extra time (since you don't see your therapist for an appointment), you could come anyway, and help provide the comfort! You are good at that...
Hope to see you there.
Posted by daisym on July 28, 2005, at 0:21:18
In reply to Re: breakfast » AuntieMel, posted by fallsfall on July 25, 2005, at 15:30:00
I want french toast, coffee and soft music this morning. And i want you to take away my cell phone.
I'll make lunch, ok?
Posted by fallsfall on July 28, 2005, at 11:04:07
In reply to Re: breakfast » fallsfall, posted by daisym on July 28, 2005, at 0:21:18
Deal. I put a little vanilla in french toast when I make it. What kind of bread would you like? My cousin makes real Maple Syrup...
How about some classical music (I find Bach very orderly, yet interesting)?
Do we get to take a nap before lunch? What's for lunch?
Posted by daisym on July 28, 2005, at 11:12:55
In reply to Re: breakfast, posted by fallsfall on July 28, 2005, at 11:04:07
I like powdered sugar on my french toast. I was thinking PP&M...so we could sing together too, if we wanted.
No naps before lunch. Walking and then painting. Maybe a story or two.
Lunch today should be soup and sandwiches, cause it is foggy. I like thick tomato but I'd be willing to switch to chicken or veggie. I was thinking grill cheese with tomato sandwiches. Or toasted pbj with apricot jam.
Now I'm hungry...
Posted by fallsfall on July 28, 2005, at 18:12:52
In reply to Re: breakfast » fallsfall, posted by daisym on July 28, 2005, at 11:12:55
OK PP&M is fine.
I'll read the stories and you can paint. That works.
How about Chicken Barley soup? Grilled Cheese with tomato sounds good. And Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream?
What are we doing in the afternoon? Reading novels next to the water? Is there a swing? We could go on the see-saw!! And blow bubbles.
Posted by gardenergirl on July 29, 2005, at 0:11:07
In reply to Re: breakfast » daisym, posted by fallsfall on July 28, 2005, at 18:12:52
I'm not really checked in yet. But I'll be there week after next. And cinnamon and nutmeg on my french toast, please. And can we have Irish oatmeal one day?
gg
Posted by fallsfall on July 29, 2005, at 8:52:19
In reply to How about coloring? » fallsfall, posted by gardenergirl on July 29, 2005, at 0:11:07
MMMmmm, I love the smell of crayons.
Sure, we can have anything you want for breakfast.
I think that Camp Comfort should have the nightshirts that you can put a picture of your therapist on. I needed mine last night. I can hold his (very small picture) and that comforts me some, but I end up dropping it in the night. Actually, I wasn't so much looking for comfort as I was looking for him to "organize" me. To keep me from obsessing and freaking. I needed his calm and good sense. Good thing I'm going away myself next week.
Posted by daisym on July 29, 2005, at 10:21:31
In reply to Re: How about coloring? » gardenergirl, posted by fallsfall on July 29, 2005, at 8:52:19
I'm sorry you had a tough night. I think we need lincoln logs to help us practice organized thought patterns.
I also think we should do diaramas (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) of our therapist's office(s). You know those shoe box things that are mini models of what you are depicting. We could use doll house furniture and stuff. That way we could really get a feel for where we all sit and how different everything is. And then we could take them home and when we were having a bad day, put ourselves there!
OK, yeah, bad night, I'm tired.
Posted by AuntieMel on July 29, 2005, at 12:19:11
In reply to Re: How about coloring? » fallsfall, posted by daisym on July 29, 2005, at 10:21:31
I love to cook BBQ - the slow all day type. I can do a mean brisket and pretty good ribs and chicken.
And better still, I find it soothing, and I love the smell. So I can do it all week long if you like.
Posted by gardenergirl on July 29, 2005, at 14:04:13
In reply to Re: I can Barbeque, posted by AuntieMel on July 29, 2005, at 12:19:11
And grow fresh herbs for yummy food.
gg
Posted by fallsfall on July 30, 2005, at 8:12:07
In reply to I'll tend the garden, posted by gardenergirl on July 29, 2005, at 14:04:13
I held the picture all night last night...
Posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2005, at 11:46:02
In reply to Re: I'll tend the garden » gardenergirl, posted by fallsfall on July 30, 2005, at 8:12:07
Are you ok today?
Posted by gardenergirl on July 30, 2005, at 12:09:35
In reply to Re: I'll tend the garden » gardenergirl, posted by fallsfall on July 30, 2005, at 8:12:07
Posted by fallsfall on July 30, 2005, at 16:21:42
In reply to Re: I'll tend the garden » fallsfall, posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2005, at 11:46:02
I'll be OK. It's just that things have been a little stressful at work, and I count on my therapist to keep me seeing things in a reasonable light. So when he's gone, I know that I go off course, but I don't know exactly how I'm off course of what to do about it. So I guess I feel like I need him (more than miss him).
Tomorrow I'll go to my parent's cottage on the lake. I'm not going to read Library Administration books, and I'm not going to read Psych books (except, I'll bring "In Session", of course). I'm going to read adult fiction (usually I only read kids' books...). I'm going to bring a string art project I started many years ago. If my daughter's car stops overheating, I'll bring my sewing machine and finish the seat covers I started at Xmas for her.
So, hopefully, being away from my usual environment will make it so that I need him less.
Except my daughter just told me that her friend is planning to come with us for the whole week (I had told her she could have friends come to visit - but I was thinking a day or two). We've compromised that if her friend needs to go home, and one of my daughter's other friends isn't going to be going that way, that my daughter will drive her home (I'll pay for the gas). So I guess that she won't stay longer than I want her to, because when I want her to go I'll send her home. But this is stress I wasn't counting on. And my parents will be there through Monday morning because the plumber is coming on Monday to make the shower work (a shower is a good thing). So now I'll have daughter's friend AND my parents at the same time. Daughter's friend is a very picky eater. My mother asked what we should eat on Sunday night and when I told her that friend was picky she said "So should we just serve what we want and force her to be polite?". ARGH!
I *was* looking forward to next week.
I don't know how much internet access I'll be able to find. The library limit is 15 minutes where I'm going.
Posted by daisym on July 30, 2005, at 20:00:08
In reply to Camp Comfort » AuntieMel, posted by fallsfall on July 30, 2005, at 16:21:42
Have you decided what you are going to read while you are gone? I hope something light and funny...
Go off by yourself and find a quiet spot to read. Or meditate. Or just daydream. Leave the girls to themselves and eat what YOU want. Bring a jar of PB and some jam and white bread. Everyone will survive. Vacation dinners are supposed to be informal affairs, whoever wants to eat does and others can just skip it...a lot less stress that way.
Go to bed early and sleep late on Sunday and Monday. Makes the visiting time shorter.
And even if you don't have internet access much, when things are really quiet and peaceful, open your mind to the cosmos and hear the good thoughts coming your way. That will be me, thinking about you.
((((Falls))))
Posted by AuntieMel on August 1, 2005, at 16:37:59
In reply to Camp Comfort » AuntieMel, posted by fallsfall on July 30, 2005, at 16:21:42
I know what you mean. It stresses me when I think things will go one way and it changes. It never used to bother me.
I'm sending email
Posted by fallsfall on August 4, 2005, at 11:56:35
In reply to Re: Camp Comfort » fallsfall, posted by AuntieMel on August 1, 2005, at 16:37:59
Thanks Daisy and AuntieMel,
The friend lasted until Wed afternoon and then called her mom to come get her. Friend wanted to "do" things. Daughter wanted to "hang out".
It would have been nice if friend hadn't disintegrated into tears for hours until her mom came... But things are peaceful now.
I'm having a good, restful time. Miss my therapist a little. Just starting to get a little bored - what a concept. Trying to not solve all of my work problems while I'm on vacation.
Catch you later!
Falls.
Posted by gardenergirl on August 4, 2005, at 12:38:38
In reply to Re: Camp Comfort, posted by fallsfall on August 4, 2005, at 11:56:35
Sounds like a good plan about not solving work problems. I hope the rest of your week goes well. I'm not missing my T just yet, but we did have a really good session yesterday, and now he's off for two weeks. :(
I guess it's better than having a bad session just before he goes, but darn. I feel like I should have said something about how I feel about him. Hmmm, I'm not anxious about him...Not me!
Book me a room at Camp Comfort,please. I'll be there all next week.
gg
Posted by AuntieMel on August 5, 2005, at 14:26:14
In reply to Re: Camp Comfort » fallsfall, posted by gardenergirl on August 4, 2005, at 12:38:38
We'll be here.
Funny, I usually don't miss mine when he's away, but waiting for news of my friend this week really stressed me and I thought of calling him and - he's not there.
Not that I *would* have called, but it woulda been nice to know I could.
Posted by fallsfall on August 7, 2005, at 19:05:42
In reply to Re: Camp Comfort, posted by fallsfall on August 4, 2005, at 11:56:35
I'm back from vacation. I see my therapist tomorrow.
I had a really good time on vacation. I definately recommend scheduling your own vacation while your therapist is away. Everybody needs some time to try something different. And I surely needed him less when I was in a "foreign" environment.
But now I'm ready to see him again, and start the hard work back up again. I'm glad that I'm not worried that he won't come back, or that he'll decide to retire etc. He'll come back ready to work, and so will I.
Camp Comfort was a nice place to wait the vacation out. I'm so glad it was here.
Posted by Dinah on August 7, 2005, at 19:17:50
In reply to Re: Camp Comfort » fallsfall, posted by fallsfall on August 7, 2005, at 19:05:42
I'm glad the last week went well.
My appt isn't until a week from tomorrow, at 8 am.
But I've already forgotten my therapist and wonder why on earth I go see him.
Dratted object impermanence.
Posted by madeline on August 8, 2005, at 21:26:15
In reply to Camp Comfort, posted by fallsfall on July 22, 2005, at 10:57:40
My T is on vacation, so I am very glad camp comfort is here. I guess I should have taken a vacation this week as well.
Why is this so hard. I only see him for 45 minutes once a week. You'd think that I could handle it better.
> I'll be at Camp Comfort for the next two weeks. Who will be there with me? AnnieRose, you can come for these last 5 days. Dinah, you can come even though your therapist isn't on vacation. Daisy, you could come and then maybe you wouldn't feel so alone. Who else has a therapist on vacation?
>
> Last session we talked about how inadequate I am when it comes to vacations. I like to do nothing. He was trying to convince me that that was OK. And encouraging me to do things in the next two weeks that I don't usually do (i.e. read adult fiction).
>
> Today he wore a bowtie!!! I know he is sailing (on the ocean) for one of the two weeks, and doing things around his house for the other. I asked which week he was sailing, so I could watch out for hurricanes. He said that he would have plenty of warning and would come to shore if there was bad weather. I did mention to him that people here were concerned for their therapists who were on vacation when the bombs went off in London.
>
> 2 years ago he gave me his cell phone number. He isn't always in range (I guess some parts of the ocean don't have coverage... go figure!), but he says that if I call he will call back when he does have coverage (within a few days). But I lost his cell phone number. I can't imagine how I could lose something as important as that. I struggled through the session trying to decide if I should ask for the number again. I decided I wouldn't ask for it. I think I'll be OK. But at the very end he said "You have my cell phone number, right?" and I said "I've lost it". So he wrote it down for me. That meant a lot.
>
> I think I'll be OK for two weeks. I'll be really glad when he comes back, though. I don't want to quit! I just hope I can tolerate his well deserved vacation.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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