Central State

A week ago this past Friday, we had such a frantic, out-of-control episode with Mike that I called 911. He was a potential danger not only to himself, but also to others. Since late Friday night, August 22, Mike has been at Central State Psychiatric Hospital in Petersburg, VA. He had to be somewhat sedated over the first weekend, and then put back on Seroquel on a regular basis during the day. This makes him a bit more unstable physically, but I've finally come to the realization that it is preferable to having frantic episodes. Although my motives were good for getting him off of medication, we either went to quickly or took away the wrong ones. Also, I was way too slow to acknowledge that he was getting out-of-control and that he needed something to calm him down on a regular basis. I made a lot of mistakes and Mike and I both suffered for it. One good thing about reducing the Amantadine; however, seems that he is not repeating as much as before. We went from 2 pills a day to 1 a day about 2 weeks ago now. Maybe there was some withdrawal also, I don't know.

Mike is doing fairly well at Central State. He is more content there than he was at Tucker's. They do not feel they are the best fit for him since his psychiatric issues are secondary to TBI, but I have been pleased with the staff, his care, and daily routine. Monday - Friday, he is taken to the "Treatment Mall". This is in a different building from where he is housed and he is able to check out books from the library, watch movies, plus interact with others through activities or classes. Last Friday he watched a film on anger management and each patient had to rate how they felt the person in the film did in managing his anger.

Mike is actually in a sort of holding pattern for 10 days. Central State is required to continue to look for a "more suitable" facility for 10 days. After that time, if they have not found a place, they would keep him or I will bring him home. In order for them to keep him, he would have to go on Medicaid. We went down that road about a year ago and for various reasons, it is not the best decision for us at this time. I am not rushing the process, but figure after the 10 days, I will bring him home. I just want to make sure he is fairly calm with the current medication and that I have something to give him in case of emergency before bringing him home.

Even though I was regularly communicating with Dr. Sellman and asking his advice, I was the one pushing to reduce meds. I am letting go of that and will just try to communicate a more realistic picture of what life at home is like and pray that Dr. Sellman will have the wisdom to know how to help us.

I've felt incredibly sad this week. This is such a learning process and I was so hopeful that Mike would be better with less medication. It's sad to see him in another facility, sad to think he has to be more sedated, sad that he's physically more unbalanced when he is on more medication, sad that we're still in this status after 28 months. However, God is always good to provide things for me to concentrate on other than our situation. Prior to this incident, I had been given the opportunity to share a message at church today. On Thursday, August 21, I felt the Lord gave me a message to share so I agreed to do it. Focusing on God's word and preparing this talk, kept me from falling into deeper despair. God always provides a way for me to escape that I might be able to bear it.

I covet your prayers for wisdom for the treatment team at Central State, decisions I need to make, Mike's safety and calmness and the right blend of medication before he comes home.