Ray was admitted to the hospital last night. He should be in for a few days. It's not life threatening but it warrants all the prayers and vibes this family may offer.

Please join with me in sending concentrated, positive vibes and prayers for our brother Ray.

I will update this as I receive further information.

with warm regards,
Tony

Prayers on the way for Ray.

Tony - thanks for letting us know.

Carol

Im in!

Thanks for the word Tony,

count me in.

Prayers and vibes on the way.

Beth

Oh no, I hope he'll be OK!  Thinking of you Ray!

Ray has been through so much lately. Perhaps some time in the hospital, where he does nothing but focus on his own well-being is exactly what he needs.
It takes a LOT of energy to fight the uphill battle ray has been fighting. He deserves a break! it's true, whoever hires him is going to find they are the lucky ones!
Rest, heal and know we're here vibing for you, ray.
Get well soon,
cathi

I'm sending all I can... START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE


Thanks and please keep us posted, Tony.

Prayers are on their way from Finland.

Sanna

Ray all I have is on the way to you, take care and recover quickly

Count me in, too.  

All my best, Ray!


Mike

Count me in too.

Carolyn

and me, hope your up and about soon Ray. andrew

Ray, ya best get better before I send some whoop ass up to ya!

If nothing else, I need you to try to help to keep Tony in line!

I gots lots of prayers headed your way, buddy!  Get better ...

Chuck

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am soo very sorry life has been so hard lately. Keep your faith, it's given you much strenghth in the past.

Charlotte

I'm there too.

Lots of vibes and more.

Charlie

Holding you up Ray, love you.

Guiseppi

Hopes for better days ahead, Ray.

Best wishes,

George

Cathi_Pierce wrote on Jun 7^th, 2008 at 2:18pm:

Ray has been through so much lately. Perhaps some time in the hospital, where he does nothing but focus on his own well-being is exactly what he needs. It takes a LOT of energy to fight the uphill battle ray has been fighting. He deserves a break! it's true, whoever hires him is going to find they are the lucky ones! Rest, heal and know we're here vibing for you, ray. Get well soon, cathi

Well said Cathi!

Prayers and vibes never stopped Ray.  I'm now adding some more to the pile.  Get well soon my friend...

-Dennis-

You've got mine too, Ray!!

Count me in, all the prayers on the way.

 Barry [smiley=hug.gif]

Sorry to hear this!  Ray - I'm saying extra prayers and sending up extra vibes for you tonight!  I hope that you get well soon - and I sincerely hope that things start turning around for you.  You're a great person, and I am hoping for the best for you!!

Hugz,
Carrie :)

aw honey...!! my heart and prayers are with you.

Thanks Tony,

Please let him know that he has our prayers.  The subject line just changes a little. :)  

Ray, leave it in God's hands.  His are bigger and stronger than yours are anyway.  Check out my signature line.  It is what I try to live by.  When I remember that He has my best interest in mind, though I may not see it, I can relax and let Him have control.  Whenever I try to do things my way I royally screw it up.

Jerry

Hello, everyone...

I wish I had a better reason to be posting here...I'm like Batman...the only time you see me is when something is wrong.

Ray went in to the hospital last night.  He called me around 2 am to tell me that he was in a "holding pattern" waiting for a bed to become available.  He just called me again about an hour ago, and he's STILL in a holding pattern.  They have called all of the hospitals within 100 miles of here, and there's not a bed to be had anywhere.  We're hoping that one will become available tomorrow.

He says he feels about the same as when he went in, but he's bored.  All of his belongings are locked up where he can't get at them while they try and arrange to transport him elsewhere...he doesn't have access to his Bible, his clothing, his books...nothing.  

On the upside...he's had a headache in there, and they handed him the Imitrex he brought in with him and let him shoot himself up right away--no screwing around.

I'll update you all when I know more, and when I get the chance to go see him, I'll print out this thread and take it with me.  He needs these messages more than you know.  I don't know how he'd make it without his CH family.

Thank you for the update. :)

Lots of prayers are on their way. I hope that there will be a bed available for Ray as soon as possible.

Lots of hugs to you all,
Sanna

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Well wishes to you, Ray.  Hope you're all better soon!!!!  We'll be right here waiting for you   :)

Much Love,
Jackie

Ray you got mine bud.  

Sending best wishes your way Ray, try to sit back and just take the time you need to get yourself sorted out and well - hopefully by the time I have written this you will be in a bed and no longer in holding.  

Hang in there, all will be well

Cat

Count me in, Ray!  Hang tough, my friend.

Sandy

Ive never heard of no hospital bed within 100 miles....Theres something wrong there, big time!

Jonny,

A number of hospitals in that area have closed, and the others are overwhelmed.  Sometimes they have to hold beds for emergency cases and will put others that need them on hold until one opens up.

Oh Ray, I can't imagine how awful that must be. Just remember what I did when I was in hospital all those times. I'd lie there, scared and alone and picture everyone of you here and I WASN'T alone. I truly felt everyone here willing me on, giving me strength, giving me courage and keeping me going. I wouldn't have made it without ch.com and I didn't have to.

Nor do you. Shut your eyes.. see me waving?! See everyone else with me? We're ALL here for you.

We'll keep your seat warm and boy will we have a party when you get home!  :)

love
Helen x

Prayers going up from the Mid-West too!  Rest and recover soon!

Jeannie

Ray, you're in my heart.

Charlotte

Are we talking about a hospital or a rehab?

No one waits for a bed for 24 hours!

It dont matter, all my prayers are with you, Ray!!!!

Hello everyone...

I heard from Ray this evening.  He's finally in a real hospital.  He got there around dinner time.  He's in the same hospital he was in last June.  He was getting ready to take a shower and planning to start one of the books he brought with him.

I don't really know more than that.  I wish I could say that he sounded better for being away from all our stresses for a couple of days, but he really doesn't...he just sounds....sad.   :'(

I guess I'm going to print out articles about CH again and have them ready to take to the hospital...they are such dufuses about the O2 and the Imitrex...not much else I can do for him...it's such a helpless feeling. :'(

HerbLady wrote on Jun 8^th, 2008 at 11:55pm:

I guess I'm going to print out articles about CH again and have them ready to take to the hospital...they are such dufuses about the O2 and the Imitrex...not much else I can do for him...it's such a helpless feeling. :'(

HerbLady,
Bless you for doing this!  Unfortunately, many of us have had to be the ones to teach and train hospital staff.  It is frustrating and annoying, at times, but just think, maybe the next clusterhead to be admitted to that hospital will get the correct treatment!  That is what makes it all worth while!

And PLEASE don't feel helpless!  What you are doing is an ENORMOUS help to him, and any future patients!  THAT, in itself, is a FANTASTIC help!

Please pass on that I am right there with the rest of the CH "family" with prayers for him, AND for you!

Thank you!!!!!!

Chuck

Hello Folks:

I got a few minutes with a computer here at the hospital.  So I'll fill you all in a bit quickly.

I'm depressed -- that's not new, but the situational factors going on are a bit overwhelming.  When the thoughts rolling around in my head were leaning towards self-destruction, I wanted to get help.

You folks are the greatest therapy for me.  My lovely wife and kids were doing all they could and I hate that they feel powerless to help more, as they've done plenty to help keep me sane.

I spent Friday night untill Sunday dinner time in a community mental health crisis center.  99% of that time was in a 9x9 foot room with a bed and a chair.  It took that long to get a bed in a hospital psych ward, where I am now.

I can't stay on the computer any longer, but I love you all and covet your prayers, vibes, well wishes, and juju!

Wishing you all the best,

Ray

Ray all my juju vibes are yours, just get better ok

I'm sorry this is a little late, but hang in there and get well very soon Ray...you are in my thoughts. :-*

Healing vibes to you Ray.

hugs,
:)mel

Being smart enough to recognize the problem and then seeking help puts you one step closer to recovery, Ray.

Good for you.  Sending you all good thoughts and wishes.


Carol

It takes a smart, strong person to ask for help when it's needed.

Remember, honey - it *does* get better.

Love you!

Ray I will be praying for you my friend, hang in there...there is always light....

                         Hugs

                                 Rosy

I'm so happy you chose to reach out and not give in.  We'd all be much poorer without you my friend.  We'll all be here impatiently awaiting your full recovery.

Love, prayers and much juju coming your way...

-Dennis-

Feel Better Rayyyyyyyyy... love ree

I spoke with Ray on the phone a little bit ago, and I'll be seeing him at the hospital a little later tonight.

He sounds better...he says he feels better.  He certainly sounds more relaxed.  I can tell that the tension he's been living with has had a chance to drain off.  No word yet on when he'll be coming home, or how we're going to tackle the circumstances in our life...one thing at a time, I guess.

I printed out this thread and took it to him.  I know he can get on the computer there for a few minutes at a time, but I wanted him to have all your warmth and love right there with him where he could read it and draw strength from it whenever he needed it.

Please know that your encouragement has made all the difference.  Knowing that you guys KNOW...you've BEEN there...your words mean more than anyone else's.  You know how he feels...you know how he struggles...you know what he deals with better than anyone else in the world...so when YOU say he can beat it, it must be true.  Don't underestimate the importance of your words and well-wishes...they are life to him.

Still sending lots of healing vibes you way Ray.  Do whatever you have to to get better.

Beth

Hello Clusterville:

I have just a few minutes before they kick me off.  I am feeling better, the not-good thoughts are gone.  I'm antsy, not wanting to sit still.  I'll be more forthcoming with meds changes and so forth, but I will say that they've made the O2 use relatively routine and easy/quick to get to, and they have stocked the Imitrex injections at the nurses' station.

I've only needed Imitrex one time, and they won't give me a half dose, because only the doctor can change the order....blah blah blah, but when I needed it, they handled it quickly.

I am going to ask the head shrinker if I can go home tomorrow.  It remains to be seen what they will say.

I would like to nominate you all for sainthood, especially my lovely wife, Shade.  You all have made me feel so much better about myself and that the thoughts that weren't healthy also weren't true.

I love you guys, each and every one of you!

Wishing you all the best, and hopefully out of here tomorrow,

Ray

Ray wrote on Jun 10^th, 2008 at 10:53pm:

Wishing you all the best, and hopefully out of here tomorrow, Ray

Good.  It'll be good to see you back, Ray.

Hang in there--one thing at a time, one day at a time.

All the best,

George

Ray

I am so pleased that everything is looking brighter and better for you, take it slow and easy , one day this rockey time  will be come a memory for you .  May the sun smile down on you and Shade and keep the shadows away.

Hi Ray,

I'm sorry for all the pain that you have gone through, but I am so very happy to hear that you are feeling much better now!  Take it slowly, and we are all here to help you even if all we can do is listen - to try to prevent the stresses building up on you again!  You are a very strong person, my friend, and it is quite respectable that you recognized you needed some extra help, and sought it out.  That is the strongest choice!

You've been missed here!!  Will be glad once you return, although I can't stress enough to just take it slowly and easy in this recovery period!

Hugz,
Carrie :)

The love goes both ways Ray, danged glad to hear you're over this hump, we're there for all the lumps, don't leave us out! [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]

Keeping you in our family's prayers.

Guiseppi

Ray, always here for you! [smiley=hug.gif]

Hello Clusterville:

Ray is home.  I am feeling better and really appreciate you all.   I'm not really in the mood to describe the stay in detail right now, but I feel better able to deal with the raft of stuff that keeps coming my way.

I love you guys!

Ray

I am so glad to hear that you are home and feeling better.  I hope that you continue to have brighter days ahead.

Love and Peace,

Jeannie

Sounds good so far. Great.

Charlie

Ray wrote on Jun 11^th, 2008 at 1:42pm:

I feel better able to deal with the raft of stuff that keeps coming my way.

Just remember that right behind the raft of crap, there's a raft of love and blessings, Ray.

I'm glad you're home. hugs, nani

Welcome back, Ray......glad you're feeling better.   :)

Much Love,
Jackie

I guess I don't check in often enough - I just saw this thread.

Ray - I'm glad you're home and feeling better. You're in my thoughts.

~Kris

This is good Ray.  Great.
So glad to hear you're home and better armed..

Hugs,
Pepp

Ray, just got back from my daughters graduation and saw this thread...glad you're home and will be praying for ya.  When one of our family hurts we all hurt.

blessings,
kathy

nani wrote on Jun 11^th, 2008 at 9:27pm:

Just remember that right behind the raft of crap, there's a raft of love and blessings, Ray. I'm glad you're home.

Yeah, what Nani said!!!

hugs,
mel :)

Ray,

I'm glad you're home. :)
This is family; no need to go into details if you don't want to. Lots of prayers, vibes, support & love are on their way anyway.

Brighter days your way,
Sanna

Ray
glad to hear you are home, remember I am about 20 minutes from you if you need anything, just was cleared to start driving, so I am here and ready to help.
Dorothy

I am so glad you are home, safe and sound! Wishing you sunny days ahead :)

Charlotte

I am glad to read you are back home Ray, remember the sweet Lord will always hold you...

                               Hugs

                                         Rosy

                     

Dear Clusterville:

I would like to summarize my experience last week to fully put it behind me.

I've been depressed for a long time, and until quite a number of things piled up on my plate, I was dealing with life OK.  I had rent due and couldn't pay.  I had an interview for a job that I really wanted and thought that it went amazingly well, and I was rejected.  I got a subpoena from child support enforcement.  As I've been unemployed for a long time, they would like to charge me with contempt of the support order.  These things, plus many smaller frustrations, pushed me to dispair.

I started to have thoughts like "you're no good" and "you're a failure" and they started to be more destructive.  Then I KNEW that I needed help.

I went to the county mental health triage place, Netcare Access on Friday night, and stayed for 2 full days while waiting for a room to open up in the Psych ward of a hospital.  Netcare is not designed for long stays, I was in a 9x9 room with a bed and chair (both bolted to the floor).  There was a window, but it was covered with a white coating to allow light, but not to be seen through.  Other than to use the toilet or shower, I had to stay in this room.  They had good juices, and only microwavable food.

Sunday around dinner time, a room opened up at a nearby hospital.  They transported me by ambulance (5 minute ride), and admitted me.  I arranged to have Oxygen available and Imitrex available.  I had one hit per day throughout this experience, but I could get the O2 regulator and non-rebreather mask within 30 seconds of asking for it.  They would not let me keep it in the room for fear of my trying to hang myself with the tubing (? just a guess?).  I saw the psychiatrist, bright and early, (by being woken from a dead sleep), on Monday.

He immediately doubled my antidepressant and made my usual medications available.  By Tuesday morning, I was noticeably feeling better.  I got the privilege of leaving the ward and even going outside for 30 minutes a few times a day.

Wednesday I asked if I could be released, and the psychiatrist agreed, so by the early afternoon I had arranged a ride and got the heck out of there.

When I got home, I was warmly greeted by my family and got treated like a VIP.  It was a rough period of time for them as well as for me.  I'm glad that I'm back.

I cannot tell you all how much your support and kind words meant to me during this time.  I am deeply in your debt.  I love you all.

Thanks!

Ray   :-*

Oh Ray...I am so happy that you feel close enough to all of us to share that with us.

Many people here know where you were coming from and how bad depression can get.  You have had SUCH a tough time lately and are to be commended for handeling it all as well as you have.  I am so glad you reached out for help.

I can see only good things happening to you from now on.  When we're down in the dirt and it seems like everyone is kicking us...it can only get better from there and I believe you are on your way.



BTW...folks.  Rays wife has a small at-home business selling lotions and soaps and other beauty products.  I particularly like the soap she makes with goats milk.  It's fantastic. !!!!   Really.  web-site to order is at the end of his posts.  


Linda

I wanted to take a moment to thank several individuals from Clusterville who've extended themselves to me and committed untold "nicenesses".

Without naming them, you know who you are!  From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you.

Ray   :-*

Ah Ray. I am glad that you are on a little more even keel.  Always take a deep breath and remember that you are loved, important and needed.  

Love and Light.
Tia