FUN - a Puzzle

Puzzle, originally uploaded by Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton.

Here is an easy way to remember my email address.
You just have to figure out the puzzle and add

@gmail.com

Hint: It is a sentence.
You can leave guesses in the comments. . first one to get it right WINS!!!

Hospital time, Join me if you can!

Hi, friends!
I'm in the hospital voluntarily, which I guarantee is the best way.  I'm only Euthymic, which means a little below Hypomania, which itself is less severe as Mania.
So, my Dr., my lovely and concerned wife, and I are trying to head this off at the pass.  It seems to be working, and it's still fun to be in the hospital if you are a little manic.  The only problem is that I almost have no one to talk to.   Let me diagram the situation:  d=depressed, ( is conversant, and CNP = crazy, nuts and psychotic.  So yesterday most of the day our section of the hospital looked like this:

( ddddddddddddddddddddddd CNP

Not much fun.   One person with whom I could have a reasonable conversation,  CNP who was often quite entertaining, and a bunch of people wandering around in a completely, seemingly mindless, depression.
Well, late in the afternoon of, both  Ms. Conversant an Ms. CNP departed, in quite different ways.
Ms. Conversant, was released, quite sad for me, and Ms. CrazyNuts in the arms of at least four people to an area devoted to people just like her.  There are many stories I could tell you about Ms. CNP, but the last straw was when she appeared in the lunch room to make a phone call to Mr. Nobody, with her face covered in baby powder, looking like a warrior from New Guinea (except for the nose bone).  Then she scooped off the whipped cream from her brownie, while at the same time dropping the brownie to the floor, continuing her non-conversation on the phone, and wiping the whipped cream on her chin.  That's when the troops arrived, and also when the Unit became very calm, lonely, and boring.
Fortunately, today, another Bipolar person has arrived, and though she is also an Apostle, knows when the world will end, and thinks I'm part angel and part devil (she may be right on that one), at least she's interesting, and will talk. . .and talk. . . and talk.
Fun in the hospital. . . very unlike the Diabetes or Heart sections, I assume.
I'll try to keep you posted !! Don't worry, I'm fine. . . all Manic-Depressives KNOW they are fine when they are up.
'-)
Sorry, no picture this time 'till later. . .flickr, facebook, my space, etc. are all locked out.

Retired Wooden Wagon Wheel

Retired Wooden Wagon Wheel, originally uploaded by Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton.

Last year I had a hypomanic (somewhat less than Manic) episode which resulted in my hopitalization for about 10 days.  I was "released" on the 4th of  July.  It was a voluntary visit to the Psych ward at Barnes, just to adjust my medicine.  

This year, at exactly the same time of year, I'm Euthymic (below hypomanic, but still a little UP).  Since last year, my psychiatrist has taken me off anti-depressants altogether. I saw him last Friday, and the Friday before that, and have had phone updates with him yesterday and today.  I will see him again on Thursday.

My psychiatrist thinks we are ahead of the game this time.  I'm taking Seroquel (quells the Serotonin) at night and getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.  I'm eating well, and controlling my cigarette smoking to 3-5 per day by forcing myself to walk 1 mile each time I have a smoke.

Many people who are very successful in life live in a constant state of Euthymia.  They are people who are friendly, gregarious, creative, and fun.

If I could stay at this level for a few months I'd get a heck of a lot of stuff done.  I'm more active on facebook than usual (my psychiatrist has forbidden me to do any more social networking during this time) as well as on my photography sharing site, flickr. Anyway, my wife is my closest ally, and helps me to know what is and is not appropriate.  My psychiatrist is working hard with me, and taking extra time.  Last Friday, he said "this thing (meaning Bipolar) is bigger than both of us".  But I'm doing everything I can to keep it from escalating.

Growing up

Photo by nogontrol "Going Native"  all rights reserved


Life could be a lot worse. . .what if you were turned into a tree???
We don't (and can't) always look on the bright side, but I thought this "shocker" would at least wake you up this morning!!
What you do with today is IMPORTANT.  Will is stronger than depression.  Will is the strongest tool you have besides love and hope. And keep faith that tomorrow WILL be better.  But you actually have to DO something to get there.

Sometimes when I'm up my life feels like fireworks

4th of July Fireworks Fair St. Louis over Old Courhouse, originally uploaded by Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton.

I have been hypomanic for about a month now. My Psychiatrist is working very closely with me to adjust my medicines. He saw me last Wednesday, then Friday, and on Sunday. Such care and dedication! And he knows that I take my medicines like clockwork. In fact, I was floored at the end of our last "conference". He said, "I admire you a lot, Tim". Wow, what a compliment. So even though my speech is a little slurred, and my mouth feels like Sub-Saharan desert, I keep on making the commitment to follow his plan exactly, and then reporting back the results. Total honesty is the best policy with regard to your Psychiatrist, your support person, and yourself.


4th of July Fireworks Fair St. Louis over Old Courthouse