So I went to the 2nd hospital in 4 days this morning: just in! Bronchitis & The Flu. Ouch. I want to be back to work by Thursday, dadgummit. Thankfully, there are two other therapists that can take my clients for a few days but I’m chomping at the bit to get back to work! But I mean, I’m not entirely complaining about lounging in my PJ’s watching movies with my snacks- life could be worse!
For now, that’s all I got. Must get back to my show. Josh’ll be home soon and will make me a Hot Toddy. 😎 😁 😎🤒🤧
Just got back from the hospital last night. Upper Respiratory Infection. My lungs feel like they’re full of glass.
Last night was an utter train wreck. Two words: Over Flow- Clark Memorial Hospital. Because of a previous MISdiagnosis from 30 years ago (BP I) , I was sent to the Behavioral Health section of the ER. Unfortunately, I have a not-so-great history with the place, but instead of being treated like everyone else- with dignity and respect- who walked into the hospital, I was treated as if I had just escaped the 3rd floor- all based on my chart. These are the dangers of stigmatization: Being treated differently based on preconceived assumptions.
I refused to stay back there, as it was highly triggering, so I was taken back to the ER waiting room in which there was nobody left. I sat out there for another 30 minutes and saw people come in and get a bed before me- over and over- yet I was left out in the waiting room for almost an hour. I finally had to ask for a “normal bed” in the “normal ER” section; by which they accommodated me, but not without the nurse going into a spiel about why they did that to me- yada yada- it was just waaaay too much drama for me. Can I not just go and have my chest x rayed like everyone else? I really wasn’t in the mood for hearing about why they’d just completely discriminated against me, so he left, and then another nurse entered the room. I could see by her face that she was excited by this new bit of flare in her day- it must’ve been terribly exciting for her…
…and sure enough, within only a moment, she was talking about how she’d “heard that I got my bed jacked around”. Need I say all of this was highly unprofessional? The stigmatization continues! But now we have its cousins patronizing and placating too. I had told her that I really didn’t want to talk about it, shutting her down immediately. Or so I thought. But no! On she went about why I “Shouldn’t take it personally…” completely disrespecting my request to not speak or hear about the situation again, mutilating patient rights AND “care”- and I use that term ridiculously loosely.
Clark Memorial Hospital is a joke. If you want decent patient care, go to Floyd.
It’s a semi-warm Wednesday afternoon and I’ve decided to start blogging again. I took a hiatus over the last year or two but feel the need to document my life as it happens, as I’ve continued to do for the last 11 (12?) years now. My entire academic journey for 11 years has been documented. So I want to start actually blogging again. I don’t care if I’m writing about a peanut butter sandwich; It’s my life and I’m recording it. I may start uploading videos as well, seeing how it’s been a thing for a while.
I’ve been working as an addiction counselor for almost two months now and absolutely love my job. I love my clients so much: Every one of them is a Life Warrior. They’ve been through the trenches of life and are still fighting the good fight- every day- and are a shining beacon to others still lost in the madness. I have to commend every one of them. I learn so much from them.
I graduated with my Master’s in Psychology and Addiction Counseling several years ago now; it’s been a nice break but I’m ready to jump back in the saddle and get back on the horse again.
I’m set to begin my PhD in Psychology- Specializing in Substance Related Addictive Disorders in just over 2 weeks.
[mic drop]
I am beyond excited! Truth be told I’m a little bit terrified as well. It will not be easy! There will be a lot of statistical Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods & studies at the doctorate level. I’ll have a dissertation. It’s gonna cost me $70, 000- out of pocket- and will take 4 years to accomplish *while* I work as a Therapist/Addiction Counselor every day, but I’m up for the challenge.
Life is exceptionally beautiful! I love my life SO much. I’ve been set free from the traumatic chains of my past and have crossed over to the other side of the river. Jesus is my Captain. 😎 As long as He’s directing the boat, it cannot sink! That was in one of my Pastor’s videos (Rev. B. R. Hicks). I love that.
My kids are all doing well! Heidi is working with autistic children, Brian is killing it on his job as a forklift driver (and making more money than me!), and Almonds volunteers at Catalyst Rescue Mission- working with the Homeless population. So proud of my kids!!
Josh and I are still together. We’ve been together for 18 years! We may eventually tie the knot someday- it’s yet to be seen. We may remain common law married partners only. We’ve talked about it and have the ultimate respect for one another. He’s doing great on his job: I’m so proud of him too. 🤗
Just had Christmas with the family. The kids got together with their Dad this year (at Almonds & Darren’s) which made me super happy; I simply didn’t want Martin to be alone at Christmas. So we gathered at my Mom’s place, as we did for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time.
My oldest brother gave me his personal $700 guitar for Christmas! 😮 It left me speechless!
God is faithful to always balance the scales in life. He’s SO GOOD with everything- especially in HIS time. Things are painful in life sometimes; sure, but God *always* balances our personal scales in life- if we love Him and draw nigh to Him, that is.
His Word says, “Draw nigh to me and I will draw nigh to you.”
And so He does. ❤️
Josh is out of town with his boss, Calvin, in Moorehead, Ky. (They’re working on a large gym floor.) I’m at home lounging in my pj’s working on my Relias Training for work: Trauma-Informed Care. There’s a high correlation between self-medicating addicts/alcoholics and trauma- especially from childhood. A huge portion of the addicted population have been sexually abused as children. It’s no surprise they’ve chosen to self-medicate.
Must get back to my training! Then it’s on to the dishes & laundry. Over and out-for now. 😎
Loving this new iPhone 15 +. (And all of my mobile digital editors, of course.)
I’ve got a full day at work today! I have 3 Psychosocials to complete with 3 different clients then a 2 hour group therapy session with all of the clients. I spent $45 on various chocolates (truffles), Starburst, Dum Dum suckers, Trident Bubble Gum flavoured gum, and Reisen chocolates for my clients today. We like to have fun on Saturdays. 😁 We have an hour of Psych/Ed with worksheets, then the last hour is spent with the music on, playing Jenga and sharing candy. I like to bring some fun up into the hizzle! They only get to do that once per week and that’s when I’m there on Saturdays.
Taken out in Henryville, Clark State Forest, 3 days ago.
I did the most today but still squeezed in time for a glamour shot. 😎
Frequency
The luxury socks are coming off. It’s Trazadone time- time for barbaric dreams and lucid escape plans. Terrifying in the beginnings- but not scared of the dark woods at night anymore. 😎🌻
Almonds wrecked their car, Brian went to jail, I got pulled over, and Martin needed to be rescued 50 miles away where he’d been stranded for days without food.
It. Was. A. Night.
In my world, however, it’s truly just another day. I can handle pretty much whatever the world throws at me, AND I keep a good attitude rolling through it all.
Firewalker. <——— me
Just another day in the hood. 😎
In other news, I absolutely am living the dream. I have to pinch myself everyday going into my office, where I see a handful of clients daily. It feels so surreal to passionately want something so badly and work hard in school for so many years, and then it finally pays off: I’m a therapist.
Speaking of which, I get paid in two more days: $1,300 after taxes and insurance (medical, dental, vision). I feel pretty good about my benefits too: 401K, a plush benefits package, PLUS a life insurance policy of almost $100,000 in which I don’t have to pay a penny into to set my kids up with $30,000 each- it just comes with the job automatically and every holiday AND the following day = PTO/ paid time off. I have no complaints!
It’s been awhile since I’ve submitted a general update on my life. I’m so used to setting goals and achieving them, I’m almost lost without a packed-down goal sheet.
I have no complaints. Just got hired as a therapist at an addiction treatment center, my kids are thriving and all doing well in their own homes with their own jobs. I’m getting ready to receive my $2,000 sign-on bonus with my first check, so right at $3,300 to $3,500. Not too shabby. 😎
Josh and I are cohabitating, as usual. He’s my best friend. Nobody’s been there for me for so many years (almost 18!). Mom is doing well too. I go see her when I can (which is several times per week) and stay the night with her on Saturdays so I can go to Church with her on Sunday mornings, then I’ll go to my church on Sunday nights. God is so faithful with His blessings!
We’ll stay here at the mobile home for a bit longer, but soon, we’ll be able to get a nice 2 to 3 BR house and I cannot WAIT. I definitely want my own home office.
It’s 9:06 pm and 5:30 am comes early! I like to wake up early enough to have my time with the Lord (prayer/anoint myself/Word/Bible) as well as get a bit of work done before heading to the office.
Everyone of these people have overcome such great odds to be able to sit here together- one people- all sharing the same stories. Former alcoholics and addicts coming together-united- as one. It’s a beautiful thing.
It’s an absolute honour to call them my personal friends.
Recovery isn’t a “one and done” situation. It’s a daily choice. Not to only abstain from alcohol and drugs, but to live in the LIGHT OF TRUTH. To look boldly into the mirror of self, and look deeply and unflinchingly into the soul. These are the most honest people I’ve ever know in my life. Such humility.
Courageous “life warriors”, choosing boldly to not only change their own lives daily, but those around them. If we could all be such beacons of hope! What a beautiful message each personal testimony is. Absolutely life-changing.
It’s been a long road, almost 12 years maintaining my blog. When I first created Monochromejunkie, I was just toying with the idea of getting an education. I wanted to be a Serial Killer Profiler so signed up for Criminal Justice, then switched my major to Social Work (hated it), then switched my major again, to Psychology and I loved it. When I added on a CPC/Certification in Substance Abuse- I knew I’d discovered my passion.
I spent the next 3 years pursuing my Master’s degree in Psychology and Addiction Counseling. I absolutely loved it. My passion isn’t for just any area in the field of Substance Abuse, but particularly those in recovery- who have just entered rehab, and ultimately detox. Most rehab programs are 28 to 30 days in length, of which 7 of those days are spent in heavily monitored medical detox and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).
There are successful rehab programs, but I haven’t heard a lot of talk about the importance of a strong after-care program. Things like beginning to go to AA/NA meetings, short term and long term goals, helping them work out transportation with free programs like THRIVE- an organization which helps those in recovery with 8 rides per month to AA meetings. Also, encouraging the clients to consider going to college for free using pell grants that don’t need to be repaid. I have a wealth of community services knowledge that will be super helpful as a Substance Abuse Counselor, and equally helpful in creating a structured after-care program.
So yeah, I created this blog to leave my thumbprint behind for my kids and family; a memorial of sorts. I always knew that I’d maintain my blog until I found not only my desired job, but career. And so I have.
I won’t be deactivating my blog, but will be posting a lot less because my goals have been accomplished! I may still pop in from time to time with a nature shot here or there, but for the most part, my blog will serve as a timestamp of a decade (and some change) of my academic journey, and photo collection- a time capsule, if you will.
m o n o c h r o m e j u n k i e † 