I know its silly, but....

I have a psych evaluation scheduled for Tuesday, and I'm super nervous.  I'm thinking this will be the one thing that will destroy my chance for surgery.  Then I think, okay drama queen, get over yourself.  But secretly I'm worried.  (Not so secret now, is it??)  Presently I take antidepressants, Cymbalta, which is fabulous for someone with chronic pain.  But the part that scares me....well, I have a past!!!  No kidding, a few skeletans in the closet.  When we lived in Barstow a number of years ago, I found myself so lonely having moved from Montana, and left my youngest son there going to college.  New community, new challenges, no friends, no job, and then boom my husband is diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Our lives change tremendously, he has surgery and recovers.  But through it all, I'm sooooo depressed and seeing a shrink, and taking Prozac.  Okay, there I said it.  Whadda think?  I don't know what to expect, and I'm so close to getting that date, and I'd be crushed if this prevented me from getting the surgery.  Am I a drama queen, or is this really a threat? 
No drama here....Happy Easter.......its a wonderful glorious day.......no chocolate bunnies in sight my Hesperia friend lol!!!

Don't worry about it!  I too also take Cymbalta and have for quite a few years.  The reason for a psych evaluation is to weed out those people who are just totally not suited for this type of proceedure. 

Be yourself.  Be honest.  Be very honest with yourself and your evaluator.  They want to find out how you handle stress............do you turn to alcohol or drugs, do you hurt yourself.  Do you abuse painkillers, all that stuff.  Just be honest.  How you are ready for a change in your life and lifestyle and how you are determined to be compliant and follow the rules.

Depression is normal after a big terrifying stressful event.  That you're seeing a shrink and took prozac isn't bad - in fact, it's good.  It shows you're in tune with what's going on and realized you needed help with a situation. 

Hang in there.  Don't worry.  Be yourself and carry on! 

Sage advice Maureen, okay, I'll stop the drama queen routine and just go be me.  I don't know, I'm pretty scary....  Sad I have grown up thinking that.  People shy away from someone large, and I've always thought "there must be something wrong with me".  Then I grew up, and knew it for sure, lol.  Okay, I'm going to be myself.  Honesty is one of my strong points, almost to a fault!!  Thank you so much for your encouragement.  You've no idea how much it means to this newbie.  It was great of you to take the time to post.  I appreciate it!  Thanks again, Mary

I like you also take cymbalta (MOMO now I know we were twins seperated at birth).    From what you just shared about your "past" honestly that is not a big deal at all.  If you want to hear about a past, we will have to sit down and have a chat oer a nice bottle of merlot!  lol.  That is nothing, be honest and you will be fine.  One of my moto's is "You are only as sick as your secrets!"  I don't have any secrets so I guess I am just fine.!  lol.  I told mine all the dirtly little secrets and I passed with flying colors.  Just be you, don't be ashamed of you past embrass it and let it be part of the who you are today.  Keep us posted on this I know you will be fine.

Rhonda

That is so reassuring Rhonda, I so appreciate your taking your time to post.  I have been reading your posts and made the assumption you foster children?  I guess we were twins separated at birth....I love children, have been an early childhood administrator/educator for some time.  Let's have that bottle of Merlot!  I think we'd have a lot to talk about.  Many thanks, Mary

OMG, Mary...  That's not a BAD skeleton!  You are going to be SO okay and while I know it's easier said than done, try to stop fretting.  Just answer their questions honestly and everything will be fine! 

And, WE ALL have skeletons hanging around in our closets!  NO WORRIES!

Blessings,
Sharon

Mary,
Trust me on this, you will do fine. They mostly want to see if you understand the challenges/risks associated and that you are ready for them. The 2 psychs Southbay Surgeons work with are great. As far as your "past"- considering all that was happening in your life...of course you were depressed and seeing a shrink! Anything different would have been abnormal and frankly irresponsible. You handled the cir****tances exactly as you should have and are to be commended for it, not condemmed!
You are ready for this procedure and it will show in your evaluation. You will do great! It really is not a very big deal.  I promise you! The whole thing should not take more than an hour.
Call me if you like and I will give you the scoop on the whole process.

Hugs,

Angela

I understand your worry and I for one can relate, but keep in mind one thing, they are looking for people that are ready to "WORK WITH THIS TOOL"!!! Remember it is a tool and try and convey that you will work it as such and you will be fine. They are trying to weed out the people that think this is a magic pill. It takes TONS of hard work and so long as you remember that you have nothing to worry about. Many people have been on meds for many different reasons, so keep the chin up and please let us know how you feel after the meeting.
Good Luck, Hugzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,  
Sweeny