Comments on: 6 Years Ago Today…

By: Tamsyn

Tamsyn — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:06:50 +0000

Well over a year ago when I was first diagnosed with depression your blog was a source of strength for me (and still is). I was inspired by the honest way in which you wrote about how you felt and what you had experienced.

The first person I admitted that I was taking medication too (besides my husband) was my MIL and she laughed at me and told me not to be so stupid. I don’t think she meant to be mean, she is just the type of person that says exactly what she is thinking.

She could have so easily been the last person I ever told. Every time you blog about how you really feel, sharing the bad times as well as the good, you are helping someone be brave enough to do the same.

Thank you xx

By: jeanie

jeanie — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:26:55 +0000

Ooh - I missed this - happy birthday to trailer boy and thank you for such an honest post about a horrid problem. Hugs.

By: lightening

lightening — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:28:43 +0000

Thanks for your encouragement and friendship everyone. It means a lot to me and I sincerely hope that someone, somewhere can be helped a little from my experiences.

By: Libby

Libby — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:08:14 +0000

Looks like he had a great birthday even if the memories are bittersweet for you. You are amazing woman, wife and mother - don’t ever forget that :-).

Libby

By: river

river — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:00:32 +0000

PND is so little understood. If only more doctors and baby clinic nurses would listen, really listen to the new mums. Unfortunately they’re as time poor as the rest of us. And it’s all too easy to suggest a few Happy Pills. Still, you came through it, (although with the loss of a few memories and milestones), and here you are, helping others who may now be reading this and nodding, smiling, feeling that there are others who have done this and survived, they’re not alone.
Happy Birthday Trailer boy.

By: Bron

Bron — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:39:46 +0000

Just by writing this post you could be helping so many other mums and also very importantly ‘friends’. One of the best things someone did for me after having my second child was ask how I was - I responded ‘fine’, as you automatically do. But then she said, ‘no, how are you really?’, and a flood of tears opened up, it was the most wonderful question and she somehow knew that I needed to be asked. I didn’t have post-natal depression but everyone needs to be asked such a question and to have a good cry, let out your fears, hopes and everything else. Thanks so much for your honesty and congratulations on your beautiful boy. Another wonderful thing about your blog is that one day your children may read your entries and perhaps better understand you as a mother and the depth of your love and concern for their wellbeing. Take care

By: Cathy

Cathy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:32:09 +0000

Hello Lightening
I agree PND is a very silent disease and can lead to all sorts of other problems - so many mothers suffer in silence ‘cose like you they are laughed at. You are very brave to put your experiences into words the way you have done so - so I’m echoing another commenter words - Look forward don’t look back.
There was little treatment in the 1960s ‘cept a talk now and again with the GP and then I didn’t know if he really understood. ( Yes my dear 5 children will make you upset blah blah - came out of there feeling more upset than before I went in)
December 1st is your little Trailer Boy’s Day - Hope he has many Happy Birthdays to come and decorates many more cakes lol
Take care
Cathy

By: Kez

Kez — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:42:30 +0000

Happy birthday Trailer Boy! I’m glad you were finally treated J - look forward, don’t look back..

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:38:56 +0000

He is an awesome kid and you are an awesome mum. His early years are not what anyone would have planned for him or for you and the rest of your family, but… none of us are promised a storybook life and we gain strength and character from the not so easy times, not the plain sailing times.
Love ya!

By: Jeanine

Jeanine — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:16:44 +0000

What a beautiful story. Difficult…but beautiful in the end. My heart felt your pain when you talked of “missing out” on the beginning of life. For the first year of my daughters life, I felt like that, too. I look back now and it’s all sort of “foggy.” I was so focused on her chemo, what medicines she needed, if the medical pumps we had at home were working properly, was her IV line being cared for well enough, was she getting enough milk from me….not to mention being put on medication for my emotions that until my doctor found the right one, had me walking around like zombie.

But it passed. I missed a little…but I’m witnessing so much right now. Glad you’ve found a little peace with your situation, too. And glad that Trailer Boy had an awesome birthday! I like how he decorated his cake. Very impressive.