It sickens me to think a girl of 12 yrs. old being forced to marry a much older man. Often times for money, parents sell their children.

Kidnapping girls for the sex trade is hard to swallow. They are beaten, live in filth and forced to prostitute to make pimp money. It’s a growing issue we can advocate and support organizations working to change the situation. XO M

We are jumping for joy at Survivors Blog Here, Lisa has joined our team. The cake, kazoo, party hats are ready. Lisa is struggling with Bipolar Disorder and is on the low in. To add to the Depression, Anxiety and her family recently moved to another country.

One of the qualities I love about Lisa, she lays her emotions on the table. She is open to support or sharing your story. Lisa is struggling to dig out of Depression yet she still helps those she can.

Please visit Lisa, fromthedarknessintothesunshine.wp.com , Pull up a chair and get to know her.

Welcome to our team Lisa.

I’m the Country Star in my head tonight, not my usual choice of music yet some I can’t get enough of. It’s a triple shot of Blake Shelton. I picked fun, blow the roof off the house music this week. Blake is one of my favorite current day singers, oh I meant drinkers. His blue eyes and big smile shows me he loves  the job. He’s like 6’6…….oh back on track.

I have surgery to implant the Port to start me IV Therapy on Tuesday. When I’m scared or nervous it’s usually chocolate, cookies, cookies. Instead of chocolate, I went for Blake, He always makes me feel good. He’s down home country boy, I picture him on a john boat fishing on his land.

If you don’t like the words, no problem, no country for your taste, that’s ok. This weekend is have fun letting the bobby pins out. I’ll be thinking of you and what I’m missing out on. I’ll catch up when I get back.   XO M

There’s nothing like listening to the music of flowing water. One of the joys in my life.I wish you a great weekend filled with peacefulness and time to your self to unwind from week. Thank each of you for reading or following me.

M

WHERE TO FIND MY SITE? GOOD QUESTION.

DEFININGMEMORIES.WP.COM   **I’M HERE**

LOOKINGFORTHELIGHTBLOG.WP.COM (NOT ACTIVE SITE)

APPRECIATED EVERYONE WHO HAS THE STAMINA TO LOOK FOR ME. 

Dissatisfied

M

We were in DC last week for appointment with Lyme doctor. The Pope being in town caused  roadblocks and much excitement. Perfect weather, I could tell from the hotel window. The appointment was originally scheduled as phone update. I’m so frustrated, the doctor needed to see and hear. I contemplated not having treatment. If I could die from treatment, they needed more skin in the game. Staffers taking days to return calls or giving different answers. Most of the frustration comes from not starting treatment. I left with several prescriptions, one a Morphine patch. Finally she understood how much pain I’m in. We left with a surgery date and what to expect the next 9-12 months.

I’m scheduled for surgery 10/25/15 to implant the catheter which is part of IV Infusion Therapy. The catheter goes in your arm or upper chest, to the heart and comes out in upper chest. Twice a day for 9-12 months, a sterile process of preparing medicine takes place with every Infusion. We are waiting to hear if RN will prepare infusion or I have to do. I will have a RN once a week to change bandage on port in chest.

The trip to doctor in DC last week was difficult with a cane. I’ll have to take wheelchair soon. I’ll go to DC once a month, it will not take long to break my body down.

There is a war going on in my body, we’ll see how IV Therapy attacks the monsters within. A battle is taking place in my brain.

The cost of is always on my mind. We’ve made sacrifices for years to live comfortable in retirement. I feel tremendous quilt. The doctor estimates five-years to get well/well as get. Not only does it change our daily life with the treatments, we may not have money to get us thru retirement. I’ve made the decision to stop therapy when the money concerns reach a certain level.

Next month is busy. I pray some good news comes my way.

XO  M

RAINN  Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network  

National Sexual Assult Hotline 1.800.656.HOPE(4673)

(September 29, 2015) – A new survey of 150,000 students at 27 universities finds that 11.7% of students reported experiencing “nonconsensual penetration or sexual touching by force or incapacitation” since enrolling. The survey, by the Association of American Universities with support from Westat, is the largest of its kind.

While the AAU survey results are similar to those found in other, smaller studies, there was significant variability among universities polled. The University of Michigan and University of Southern California, for example, reported rates of sexual violence nearly double those at Cal. Tech and Texas A&M.

According to the report, “Undergraduates identifying as TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, non-conforming, questioning, or not listed on the survey) had the highest rates (12.4%), followed by undergraduate females (10.8%), and graduate (professional) TGQN students (8.3%),” compared to about 4% of males surveyed.
Two of the biggest factors influencing incidence of sexual assault were the involvement of alcohol and drugs and class year. “Among freshmen, 16.9 percent of females reported sexual contact by physical force or incapacitation. This percentage steadily declines by year in school to a low of 11.1% for seniors,” the report says.

Source: “Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct” (Westat, 2015).

The survey also measures cases involving sexual touching, the use of coercion, and the lack of affirmative consent (categories that may include many non-criminal acts). Using this broader measure, the researchers say that “one-third (33.1%) of senior females and 39.1 percent of seniors identifying as TGQN report being a victim of nonconsensual sexual contact at least once.”

Noting the large differences between individual schools, Rebecca O’Connor, RAINN’s vice president for public policy, said, “These findings demonstrate the need for a national, standardized campus climate  survey. This type of rigorous and routine baseline data collection, which would be required under the Campus Accountability and Safety Act ( S.590
/ H.R. 1310), is imperative. Without this data, it’s difficult to understand the true scope of the problem, let alone advance policies that will truly improve prevention and response for these serious crimes.”

Congressional focus on campus sexual violence and related reforms remain front and center. At a hearing of the House Education and Workforce Committee earlier this month, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said, “This is a matter of national importance – how can we better protect our students?” Witnesses, who included college administrators and advocates, spoke to the inherent challenges schools face when addressing the difficult topic of campus sexual assault, from ensuring that the rights and needs of both victims and the accused are protected, to ensuring that a tangled web of state and federal mandates are fulfilled. As Congress moves into a busy fall season, you can help make sure this issue remains on the agenda. Stay up to date and be part of the solution by visiting RAINN’s Action Center.

I have many emotions playing bumper cars today. The music is a great pick, maybe YOUR song. I would say it’s a mashup of good tunes. This is a good night for sitting on porch or in hot tub. Grab the drink of your choice, maybe three and let the music move you. I take suggestions leave in the comments. Thank each of you for standing by me and your prayers.

XO M

Sexual abuse of men and boys need a light focused on the reality. Let’s start talking about, looking out for and don’t be afraid to speak up. Thank you Robert for continuing to Advocate for sexual assault and mental illness.

Survivors Blog Here is breaking out the cupcakes and sparklers. We might even do the Snoopy Dance. Why you ask? We are thrilled to announce Casey Alexander from blog Adoption, caseyalexanderblog.wp.com  has joined our team.

Casey brings you along on her journey of adopting two children, short stories and shares her other  interest. You will laugh and cry when you read the calamities with their house. She has a thirst for knowledge, participating in Blogging 101. Her post are honest, educational and raw. She has a positive attitude :), totally funny and always makes my day.

The Survivors Blog Here team welcomes Casey to the team.

survivorsbloghere.wp.com

:) Melinda

I’ve had 27+ ECT treatments. The treatments are necessary when I hit bottom becoming delusional and suicidal. I hope to shine a light on ECT and dispel the myths. Please keep an open mind, the procedure may save your life. In my experience, a Psychiatric facility associated with a respected hospital is far superior to a chain facility’s. This post is based on the top facility in the area. I will share the experience with the worst in another post.

I’ve had treatment in-house and outpatient. For me, a crisis with suicidal thoughts is best handled in-house with 24-hour care.  I’ll share step-by-step how ECT is handled at UTSW in Dallas.

You arrive and change into a gown, and the RN calls you to the patient area to make sure your meds have not changed. UTSW has strict processes to prevent mistakes. You will be asked your name many times. The RN prepares an IV in your arm which is used for a short-acting anesthesia and muscle relaxer.

When it’s your turn, you walk into a small operating room. There you will see your doctor, several RNs, and an Anesthesiologist You meet everyone, again double checking your ID bracelet. They ask if you have questions. Usually, they are answered by a doctor prior to treatment. The anesthesiologist will ask a couple of questions about allergies.

You lay down in a hospital bed, and your heart is monitored throughout. The doctor is logging the type of ECT. Usually, the ECT machine is right by your head. The RN will take your socks off so your feet can be seen. The movement of the foot tells the doctors you had a seizure.

A tech is next to you with an oxygen mask, being claustrophobic I ask if he’ll wait till the last minute to put it on. The muscle relaxer is inserted in the IV to allow time to work. The doctor will place ECT “head-gear” on. You will also be given a mouthguard. An RN or tech will take the doctor’s instructions on where to place the electrodes.

You will have your armband checked several times. I love the quality process UTSW University has in place. The head RN will ask if everyone is ready to time out. They will run through who the patient is, what type of ECT has and is everyone ready.

The Anesthesiologist injects, and you fall right to sleep. The procedure only takes minutes. When you wake up you have an RN assigned to your recovery They usually juggle a couple of people. You may get some juice for your dry throat. Once all the effects have worn off and the IV removed, you can usually get dressed and walk around so the RN can see you’re ok. You’ll receive follow-up instructions. Sign the release paperwork and the RN will talk to who will drive you home. No driving yourself after ECT.

Typical side effects, jaw hurts from the seizure, may have headaches, and lethargy from meds in IV. It takes significantly longer to get you ready than to perform the treatment.

A couple of notes: there are several positions doctors can use for ECT treatment. I think the most common are Unilateral and Bilateral. I’ve had both and prefer Unilateral. You may have to do more treatments to feel improvement however you don’t lose as much short-term memory.

Bilateral treatment has its benefits, it works faster. You may lose some short-term memory. When I say short-term memory, memories right before treatment and right after.

In the DFW area, UTSW/Zale is where you want to go if having ECT  Out of or staying in-house.

If you have questions please leave in comments.

XO  M

He shares his experience with Depression and ECT treatment. It’s an eye opener. XO M

The song by Lady Gaga is for the film Hunting Ground. She sings an emotional song to bring awareness to the violence involved in Sexual Assault.  XO  M

I was Kevin’s age when diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. A lack of understanding and feelings of shame, I kept a lid on my problems, until boiling over. I did not accept my mental illness until my father committed suicide in 1992. His death sent me down a path of research and learning how to take charge of my medical care. I accept Bipolar Disorder is not curable at this time yet confident in the future.

TED Talk Playlist Presents

Presentation #3

ted.com/playlists/296/let_s_end_the_silence_around_s

Being a suicide attempt survivor, it did not occur to me specialized care may prevent the next attempt. I made my  first attempt 43 years ago at age nine with a razor blade. The attempts were not from mental illness but severe child abuse. I hated my parents for abusing me, hated myself, hated not having anyone to tell. I hated every aspect of my life, death my friend.

TED Talk Playlist Presents

Presentation #2

ted.com/playlists/65/personal_tales_from_the_edge_o

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month

TED Talk Playlist Presents

Presentation#1

ted.com/playlists/296/let_s_end_the_silence_around_s