BREAKING NEWS: CASSIE'S OK.. BUT I'M FURIOUS

[Josephine96]

Hi People..

I have some breaking news. I went back to Cassie's school today. She's OK! Apparently Cassie's mom talked to Ms. Dixon either today or over the weekend.

Here's why I'm furious. She probably got out of the hospital today! While I am very pleased to hear that.. I am also furious. Here's why.. Cassie is a cutter. Cutters do not heal from spending 2-3 days in a hospital and then being sent back out into the real world. I feel the local hospital let her down and I also feel like they either A. don't give 2 shakes, or B. They didn't try hard enough.

Also.. Cassie's mom is a cold hearted B word. She showed no remorse and when Ms. Dixon asked how Cassie was doing.. Cassie's mom replied "She'd be doing better if she was doing what she was supposed to do". Cassie is 1 of those who can't quite do that. She's a cutter, bipolar, manic depressive and been through a lot.

Maybe it's because I love Cassie like she's my own sister or maybe I'm just sounding way off base to some people.. I am happy that she's out of the hospital, don't get me wrong. But this really burns me up..

[GalvestonDuck]

Are you sure she just wasn't on a 72-hour hold, John?

If she isn't currently a threat to herself or others and she's made a pact not to injure herself, she can be released. Keeping her in a hospital does not guarantee any kind of cure for a cutter. Cassie needs to get back to life as she knows it. She needs to face her real-life problems and show that she can cope with them, not avoid them by staying in a hospital. The inpatient stay was probably emergency intervention if Cassie was facing a crisis of a serious self-injury or suicidal nature.

Now, what she needs is to continue her treatment with ongoing outpatient counseling. Hopefully, those arrangements have been made. She can talk with someone on a regular basis about how she's dealing with her anger and other emotional problems that caused her to cut, as well as any past situations that caused her behavior to present itself in the first place . Also, she should be taking monitored doses of lithium for her bipolar disorder.

She'll never be "cured" of her BPD (unless someone actually discovers a cure in the future ). But she can be treated and learn to live on a balanced, even keel...outside of a hospital.

Might I suggest checking out "Call Me Anna" from the library? You don't HAVE to, but it's a good read about bipolar disorders. Patty Duke wrote it, so of course, I read it. Now she lives a normal, healthy, controlled life, free of serious BPD symptoms. She wasn't a cutter though, so I don't really know what to suggest for that. I wish I had more answers for you. What I know is based on ER work and the book.

Prayers are going up for Cassie, her family, and you. Hang in there, buddy.

[vbhoutex]

Unfortunately, insurance issues often come into play in this type of situation. Because of much abuse of insurance with mental disorders in past years, many will only pay a little bit and that is another reason some are put back on the streets when they really need more treatment. To give an example of how bad it was though, I personally know of one case where in the end the bill to insurance was over a million dollars and the person was only in the hospital for 3 months and this was before hospitalization costs skyrocketed into the far reaches of the universe.
It is sad, but true that this does limit severly options for treatment for many these days.

Hang in there John!! Remember to take care of John too!!!!!

[Wnghs2007]

Glad to hear that she was ok...John....I just hope she does not go back out and stop cutting herself again....Please Keep us informed and as always my prayers will be with you and Cassie

[Guest]

Glad to hear that Cassie is okay. But, yes, I agree with you, John. First, her mom should be MUCH more sympathetic, and second, these darn health care costs more than likely prohibited Cassie from remaining hospitalized. Of course, I don't rule out those insurance companies' little setups either in not paying their fair share.

[Guest]

This is the first I'm reading of this. I'm glad your friend was able to get at least a little help. I'm inclined to think that her release was due to insurance reasons, not the hospital staff dropping the ball. We need health care insurance reform so bad right now, and here's a perfect example of how someone can slip through the cracks. Staying strong and being there for her are the best gifts you have to offer her. My prayers are with your friend Cassie.
...Jennifer...

[Stephanie]

I agree that she probably was released due to insurance costs. Hopefully she was on watch 24 hours a day while they stabilized her. I would bet that she is going to see her psychiatrist weekly if not more and she NEEDS TO STAY ON HER MEDS.

[Josephine96]

I do know they did something with her medication. Ms. Dixon said that Cassie's mom said that her meds were either increased or changed, or I don't know lol

I have been PRAYING that she DOES NOT do this cutting thing again. She's a cute girl {I know I shouldn't call a girl I consider a sis cute lol but she is} and she doesn't need to hurt herself this way.

I hope she also realizes how much I care. If not.. by Thursday she'll know {that's when I'm going to the HS to see her}

I plan on bringing her a Get Well Card and maybe something to eat lol {she always asks me for $ for food when she's around me..}. I may also write her a letter to tell her why she means so much to me and why I do care about her. {I think she needs to be able to have a reminder of that besides just words}.

I do hope she will go see a counselor as often as she is prescribed to do so. I am happy to be 1 of the apparent few that is there for her.

I will stay strong. I just hope Thursday gets here real quick. {If you're wondering.. I can only go see her on Thursdays and Mondays at school, because even though I am 1 of my alma maters favorites.. they won't let me on campus during the school day and plus Cassie only stays after school on Mondays and Thursdays}

I also agree that her mother better learn a lesson in sympathy real quick. She needs it. It burns me up that she can be that cold hearted.

Anyway.. I'll quit ranting now lol.. I'll keep you guys updated. Tell me what you think about the letter or Get well card ideas if you'd like..

[vbhoutex]

This is going to sound terrible and probably make you mad John. I understand EXACTLY what her mother is saying. Like I told you, BTDT, including the cutting. When someone has been given all the tools to improve the situation they are in remarkedly and they don't do it, especially after putting their parents and friends through utter hell(and that is being nice)and professing to want to fix everything, it is VERY VERY MADDENING AND FRUSTRATING to those affected besides the person who is sick. And they do not necessarily need sympathy at this time as much as they need tough love. We told our son that if he so much as slipped up and drank, took any chemicals or cut himself he would go straight back in. He did and we did. He then knew we meant business and hasn't touched drugs in 7 years. He does use alcohol, but is responsible about it. IT IS A TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH THING FOR A PARENT TO DO WHAT WE DID AND WHAT HER MOM IS GOING THROUGH right now. I've never done anything harder in my life, but it is one of the best decisions we ever made. WE STILL HAVE OUR SON!!!

[Josephine96]

I'm actually not mad.. I respect everybody's opinion. Just the problem is.. Cassie's mom really doesn't like her.

I've seen how nasty she is to her. She treats her like crap. She {Cassie} in my opinion needs to be loved and nurtured and the way Cassie acts.. it appears she is not getting it.

Of course if my opinion is way off base then forgive me lol.. The tough love approach does work.. But Cassie I think needs to be treated a lot better by her mother.

If my opinion is way off base then feel free to blast me from here to Tijuana lol.. I haven't had any kids yet.. but hope I get to have a couple when I get married

[vbhoutex]

John, I am not about to blast you!!!LOL!!! But, I do understand where her mother is. IT IS A TERRBILY DIFFICULT PLACE TO BE!!!! YOU LITERALLY ARE DAMNED IF YOU DO AND DAMNED IF YOU DON'T!!! And as to the not liking Cassie right now-you are probably right, but I GUARANTEE YOU SHE STILL LOVES HER which makes it even more difficult. I have literally told my son "I DO NOT LIKE YOU OR WHO ARE ARE RIGHT NOW, BUT I DO LOVE YOU AND WILL DIE FOR YOU TILL THE DAY I DIE" AND I MEANT EVERY WORD OF IT!!!!!! He and I had a blast going to the NHRA Spring Nationals here in Baytown this weekend too. Do not get me wrong, I am not necessarily defending the Mom-you are much closer to the situation than I am(TO SAY THE LEAST)-I am just drawing on my own experiences.

[Josephine96]

Glad I didn't get blasted LOL