Potential Discharge in August/September

Written by Fox.

We've now been sectioned for 3 and a half years. We've been back on acute wards since October last year. BUT it's looks like things are on the upwards and we could be getting discharged in several months! By that point we'll have been sectioned for over 4 years.

Dissociating has been a big problem for Keri over the last 23 years and it's not going to disappear any time soon. We are as real as she is and we deserve to live lives too. Keri has, over the last year or so, learned that accepting us and not fighting or ignoring us all the time, makes all of us happier and more cooperative. Sally has reared her head a fair few times and in the last couple of months we've needed about 50 stitches. But we haven't been put in seclusion. Yes, Keri, Sally and a few others have been restrained on various occasions but we haven't been secluded. Hopefully I haven't jinxed us!

Since moving back to the ward we're on now, one of Keri's accommodation workers has been looking for somewhere for us to go. Right now they've referred us to an organisation that is able to provide independence along with 24 hour care. We had the choice of a shared house or a single flat. After Keri had a meeting with us (we have a daily get together every evening so that everyone can air their opinions about the day or anything that's been discussed or experienced) and we all decided we would prefer a flat so that we can live as much as Keri does. The flat would also, initially, be staffed 24 hours a day. I think there's a staff area for a block of flats and basically there's panic buttons or a phone number for you to ring but I'm not definite. I think Keri knows more details. I'm not about constantly. The place they're looking at opens in August. With a phased discharge, and an anniversary that triggers Sally and Keri big time at the beginning of September, we probably will be officially completely discharged by the end of September/beginning of October. We'll be able to celebrate Keri's birthday! Clari already plans to decorate our flat for Keri when we're out as a nice surprise after being in hospital so long. Everyone is hoping that a slow, phased discharge will mean that we stay out of hospital. Sacrificing an extra few months in hospital to make sure we all stay out rather than rushing it and end up yo-yoing is a good option for all of us. We've talked about it.

They're finally sorting our medication out which is good for me because I need medication like Keri does. We're back on two anti-depressants combined together as it's the only thing that seems to fight our depression. We're also back on anti-psychotics, though I don't feel 100% so hopefully Keri can ask the psychiatrist to up the dose, both for her benefit and mine. I haven't felt very good since we were taken off them back in September. That's partially why I haven't been writing posts. Some of the alters keep saying that I've been acting weird. I can't see it myself but I know when I need to listen to them. Hopefully I'll feel good enough to see our therapist soon. I get along with her really well and used to talk to her a lot. I planned to see her last week but when the time came I didn't feel up to it.

Keri's compensation claim has now come through (although I won't state how much as that's Keri's business not yours!). We have a bit of savings now for when we get out of hospital. Keri is also going to look into volunteering so she can build on getting a job when the time is right but the rest of us have issues with that. What about us? We don't all like the same thing. Last time Keri volunteered as at the cats and dogs home and she never actually did any work. It was Clari that did it all. Keri just did the travelling to and from. It annoyed her a little bit as she wanted to experience work life too but I think Clari needed an outlet. I don't see why though as by this point she was still sneaking out and having sex with anyone she came across, both male and female! She's not bisexual, she just has an addictive personality. She gets a little obsessive at times about it!

Keri's met a lovely guy and has been chatting to him since December. A few of us have also had little chats with him just to get a feel of what's going on. I'm hoping that if things start getting serious then Clari will curb her sex habits otherwise it won't be fair on him. He knows about Clari's behaviour and all about us. Even Sally has spoken to him, though I don't know what was said as she doesn't feel like sharing. None of us ask about each other's conversations much either as, even though it's hard respecting privacy with one body to share, we still respect each other's personal space. Hopefully he's coming to see Keri tomorrow. We've all decided to leave them to it when they meet so that they have time together rather than us dissociating all over the place. This guy is very accepting of us and knows we have been sectioned for a few years yet he's still supportive and understanding. Things look promising.

So things are looking up! I can't wait until we're discharged. We have 15 minutes unescorted leave a day now which could be going up to 30 minutes next week. Our therapist and the staff know that at some stage something is going to happen and Sally may kick up a fuss, but they understand it's about MANAGING the risks not ELIMINATING them. Eliminating them will be completely pointless and frustrate us all. But managing them? As long as we can keep safe I don't see the issue. A lot of us are talking to the staff. Penny has spoken to several members of staff and due to this hasn't ligatured since we moved back here in December, which considering what she was like in intensive care is a big improvement.

For some reason Keri has been getting really physically unwell. Since December we've needed to be admitted to a medical ward 3 times which results in fluids, oxygen, and IV antibiotics. Unfortunately we find hospitals threatening so Sally comes out quite a lot when we're in medical hospitals or Keri freaks out with flashbacks. This usually results in restraint and IMs. Last time she was admitted they managed to get her to take oral medication rather than being jabbed so that's good. Hopefully we won't end up in a medical hospital again. I'm not sure why we've had so many serious chest infections but our immune system seems to have gone down the toilet. The doctor said it could be down to poor dietary intake. Keri's eating hasn't been brilliant as she's been purging a lot and because I've not felt great I haven't been able to come out and eat for her. The others have been distracted either looking after me, stopping Sally when they can, or looking after the littles. Our therapist has said anything she can do to help we just have to ask, even if it's for one of the littles to come out and play for an hour. She said give her some warning and she'll arrange to bring a selection of toys for them. She's a lovely woman and I'm going to be very sad when we have to start seeing someone else.

I'll update as soon as I can. All depends on whether the psychiatrist can help me. I'm not sure how accepting he is of all of us but he's a lot better than the last one in our old unit who didn't even believe we existed. It was horrible.