Post
by gyre » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:18 pm
Elliot, you have to believe that things can get better.
imaging techniques can show the brain light up from satisfaction, pleasure, and the different ways that drugs or alcohol can affect different people differently.
Perhaps more important, people that have used drugs for an extensive period can have a long recovery time for normal pleasure triggers to work properly again, even as simple as "i feel good today."
Depression may have the same effect.
Even chemical changes caused by your own thoughts may need a recovery time.
A friend of mine recovering from thirty years of massive drug use, said he has been told that some people like him may need as long as ten years for normal happiness to return.
He feels certain this will happen and seems content to proceed on that basis.
Scans show a measure of recovery after normal crack use over a period of less than a year.
Even after experiencing a renaissance of life, there will still be days of drudgery.
You must find a way to look beyond that, even with chemical help.
When I first started walking after my crash and surgery, it was a struggle, but highly exhilarating.
My first walk was about fifty feet and I slept for three days after that.
After my next surgery, a much milder operation, I found it a struggle to do anything physical.
It never got as easy as before.
It turns out that this is a fairly common phenomenon.
I'm not sure why.
So it can all be a bit delicate and mysterious.
In a way, Elliot, you own your life after this.
You can feel a measure of control ordinary people never have.
That is worth something, by itself.
There is strong statistical evidence that your genetic background may predispose you to depression.
You have to consider that some chemical help may be needed, and hopefully temporarily.
Can you find empowerment in living for other people?
There are so many people that could benefit from your capabilities.
If I start an ngo in Bhutan, want to go?
It'll make for a change.
You could work for Médecins Sans Frontières or teach at a Hillary school in nepal.
I have a friend that repairs houses on an indian reservation every summer.
Our bike co-op needs more people that actually know bikes.
You're a skilled writer.
You could do stories and dockos other people find too hard to tackle.
You could become a somali pirate or syrian protester, there's your high risk.
You're not finished yet.
Don't you want to see Nessa in Sri Lanka, just once? The festival of lights?
As for the basics, are you getting enough sunlight and exercise?
Enough vitamin D?
We all have to take care of ourselves, moreso at these times.
You're not done with your story, Elliot.
And Elliot, I'm glad at least you and Delle didn't misunderstand me.
The rest of you, welcome to the interweb, try to keep up.
Peter (left), Jerri (right). Peter will be very busy in the next month making toys for all the good little girls and boys!
