Re-introduction

[Karen]

Hi all!!

My name is Karen. I have been part of this message board for several years now, but I have been away for a while. I am just going to give a brief update/intro to get everyone caught up to speed.

I have three parrots, Jabba (african grey), Daisy (umbrella cockatoo) and BumbleBee (lovebird). These sweeties are the loves of my life.

I have an extreme case of bipolar disorder and I am beginning my second set of ECT (shock treatments) on Monday (Feb 8th 2010). Carol knows about my illness and my treatments, but I wasn't going to share it with anyone else.

I just decided that it is time to stop being ashamed of being ill. Plus, the shock treatments rob me of my memory and I will likely be confusing you guys and who belongs to who, hopefully only for a while.

My last set of treatments was in August '09. I lost my memory for several months prior to the treatments and several months after. It gradually came back, for the most part. I have a problem with numbers for some reason. Anything to do with numbers, distance, time, dates, measurements...it's all kind of fuzzy.

I tried to catch up with everything I missed since I've been away, but it was a little overwhelming. So I am going to just jump back in and hope to catch up as I go along.

My parrots (and all of my other pets) have really been life savers to me. There is simply no way to stay sad when you have a cockatoo and a talking grey in your home!!

If you remember me from before, please don't be hurt if I have forgotten you. I have lost chunks of memory and who know what will be falling out of my head this time around. I might not remember you all very well, but I do know that this is a wonderful place full of love and friendship. I'm glad to be back. And I'm sorry it took me so long to get here.

If we haven't already met....be warned...I love being silly, having fun, and making people laugh. I try to keep my whining to myself, but I like to spread the giggles whenever I can!

[carol]

Hi Sweetie,
You can whine on here too, we don't care.
I'm just glad you're back.
To me anyone going through what you've been through and are about to go through again is very BRAVE..
I love you and miss you so much.

Let's spread some giggles now

[andrea]

and Andrea Karen!

Welcome back!

[mrs l]

Yea Karens back

Im a bit fazed myself at the moment. Im having mystery chest pains, so Im mainly learking on the site at the moment.
Good Luck with the next course of EST.

[carol]

I've been thinking about you Mrs. l and wondering how you were. Sounds like not too good.
Have they figured out what's causing those chest pains yet?

[feathers]

welcome back Karen and you are brave...

[Nicole]

Hi Karen! Very nice to meet you! Thank you for sharing your story here! I have not been on this forum for very long but I sure love coming here. I do know Carol as we go to the same bird club. I have seen some of your you tube videos of Jabba - very very funny guy! You must love your birds to bits! I sure know how that feels! Love lots of giggles too so look forward to reading more of your posts! Welcome back!
Nicole

[Catherine]

Karen it is so good to have you back.
Bring on the giggles girl and share whatever you are comfortable sharing good or bad.
This thanks to Carol and all the rest is a wonderful safe place to feel loved and accepted no matter
who you are or what your life story is.