My life partner has Bipolar ii

Just a quick reminder that it is ok if this Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year for you. I know this year it is not for me. I am coming to terms with that but it doesnt make it any easier.

I normally love Christmas, waking up in the morning and it just feeling like a different type of day. This year I will be waking up without my husband, unwraping gifts with the kids alone 😞

@Mrsjones 😥

Have been there with children's birthdays.

Not the same as Christmas I know but... it is rough at special times. Thinking of you and children at the moment.

Are you able.to visit hubby for Christmas day?

Feeling a little positive today, Mr D saw a physio in relation to his orthopaedic issues. I came out feeling quite confident that she could help as she mentioned things that two members of the surgical care team had raised and has given some simple targeted exercises that Mr D should be able to manage.

Today Mr Jones has been moved from a private clinic to the public psych ward, he has had stays in this hospital before which have not gone well. The enviroment makes him very uncomfortable. I am very nervous that it will be a set back for him. The move was due to the place where he gets ECT is closing over Christmas and New Year so will need to finish the remaining 3 session in the public system.

@Determined , Yes I will be able to visit him on Christmas day. I will be able to take in 1 of our childern as the other has ASD and does not cope with unfamiliar places. But maybe we can also do some face time or something.

I dont feel like I can even try and enjoy my day as I feel guilty that Mr will not be enjoying his.

Im also thinking I may need to stay away from social media this coming week, everyones lovely Christmas photos and posts will make me sad. (I know thats horrible but Im in a space where other peoples happiness can get me down). Everyone talks about how amazing and successful their 2019 has been and besides having my daughter this September this year has been a living hell for Mr and I.

@Former-Member That is so great to hear of Mr D's positive appointment 🙂

That is so great to hear of Mr D's positive appointment @Former-Member

hugs @Mrsjones , @Determined

hello @outlander , @Jay-e

@Former-Member, mr shaz seems to be more reling on me lately ????

@Mrsjones To clarify, I am the one who is feeling positive about it all Cannot say that Mr Darcy feels the same way. He did the exercises this morning and said he will do them again in the morning, rather than tell him off for not doing them this evening I said perhaps we could work up to twice a day. To encourage him, we both do his exercises together.

Living grief = the sadness we feel when our loved ones are not able to enjoy some of life's events.

I think part of coming to terms with our partners condition is that we are able to ensure that our own mood is not a reflection of theirs and that we are able to find joy even if they are having a difficult time. This little self help course is really helpful (even for those of us not in Qld). http://mhr4c.com.au/

I think we do need to be gentle with ourselves, when our loved ones attempt it has a profound effect on us. It took me quite a while to come to peace and acceptance of Mr D's diagnosis and to be realistic about the adjustments we have needed to make as well as being able to relax when it became apparent that he was definitely no longer suicidal. I do not know how I would go should he relapse, but I am hoping that some of the things I have learned would help me cope better than I did last time.

@Shaz51

Yes, our partners do rely on us and it can feel that the normal life responsibilities we have become burdensome for a while.

@Mrsjones thinking of you and little ones especially today.

@Former-Member @Shaz51

Thinking of you also and families.

@Determined

I know your day will have an element of sadness too. Trust you can find moments of joy.