You sound more mentally healthy than me. I will aspire to your indifference. Seriously, thanks for that perspective.
In addition to that Senior Citizens’ questionnaire, I get the “I’m going to say three words and then in a few minutes I’m going to ask you what those words were…” My 92-year old mother could not pass this test. Fine. She can’t tell you whether she just had breakfast or lunch, God bless her. But I told my PCP that it’s not time to start giving me THAT particular test yet.
Far as I can tell, Facebook’s position is “if it’s not broken, if it works in a way that suits our users, correcting that is top priority”.
Woo-hoooo, indifference for the win! [fist pump]
Actually, it’s more like realizing all the ways you can get by without others. Kind of like going off by yourself on a cool adventure, and rejoicing in how busy your friends are with their own adventures (which are so exciting that they ignore you…)
My kids are off on each coast, and my wife and I ask each other “Heard anything this week from the kids?” “Noooope.” “Sigh…” “Well, we raised them to be independent kids, and now we’re paying the price.”
When I had a new therapist, ten or so years ago, he gave me that test. I was 39. I wouldn’t read too much into it.
The first time I had a nurse ask me if I felt safe at home, the question seemed totally out of left field. I asked her, “What is this, some kind of a shakedown?”. She then asked if I had a gun at home, and I lost it. When my gf tells me I’m overdue for a doctor visit, I remember what a waste of time those visits tend to be.
That’s pretty funny.
Ummm… you might be overgeneralizing just a teeny bit there.
My primary care provider is also a friend of mine.
He agrees that asking about gun ownership (which his group practice does as a matter of policy which he is against) is a waste of time. The nurse asks the questions; if I tell her I’d like to discuss my answer with the doctor, she would awkwardly explain that he’d rather not.
I’m on day five of a headache. It doesn’t hurt bad enough to keep me from doing things, just enough to give me bad mood. So I’m snappy and irritable to everyone. I’ve done my usual ibuprofen and caffeine remedy but it isn’t sticking and staying away. And, starting yesterday, my shoulder hurts. Great. So more irritability for everyone.
Also (and maybe related but that’ll make me real mad), I was rear-ended about 8 weeks ago and we are finally getting the car fixed. There was extra damage the estimator from my car insurance company didn’t see and we are now on day 3 of awaiting a response from them about whether or not they will agree to pay the additional charges. In the meantime, I’m driving a friend’s van. I hate this van but I can’t tell the friend because the only reason she could lend it to me is because she can’t work because she has cancer. Fuck.
Can you tell I’m in a shit mood?
Holy shit, that’s awful medical care. Nice way to make a depressed and lonely person feel even more like nobody gives a rat’s ass about their problems. Did you mention that to your doctor? That nurse needs some serious retraining.
You were brave to reach out like that, I’m super sorry you got slapped back down. You deserve someone who will take your depression seriously and help you deal with it. Please keep reaching out until you find that person. It really is possible.
slalexan, I’m sorry. You’re right, you can’t complain to your friend because her life is some serious bad shit right now, but vent to us all you want.
Not exactly a rant, but good anyway, in the category of Strange Conversations Overheard In The Hospital Corridors:
Man in scrubs advising young woman who apparently was arriving for an MRI scan: “Do you have any metal implants?”
Young woman: “No - but I guess I’ll remove my nose ring.”
Thank you for your very kind comments. Today I got an automated email that said my records for that doctor had been updated. So I went to the patient portal and saw that the nurse had added “major depression” to my record.
The thing is, this is a cancer treatment center, and there are plenty of patients there who are very, very sick and have big reasons to be depressed, anxious, even hopeless. I got away a year and a half ago with a tiny lumpectomy and three weeks of radiation. I felt embarrassed (and even a little ashamed) to mention that I was depressed. In that setting anyway.
So thank you again for validating my choice to put the truth on that form.
Did you know that being nice to someone on the internet is almost as easy as being a raging asshole???
There will always be people who have worse diseases than you do, who are objectively worse off in every way that you can think of. While it is valuable to keep that sense of perspective and gratitude… it doesn’t actually cure your disease. Take care of yourself, and remember that you are worth caring for.
Recieved a drive-by “OINK OINK” today for the temerity of jogging without a shirt. Fucking redneck cowards riding in their pickup.
I got an “oink oink” years ago by the freaking neighbor who lived in the apartment below mine several years ago, with whom I had never had more than three conversations in the entire time I lived there.
Quoted for truth. You are very worth caring about and for. During the dark depression times, remember that. If all you can manage to force yourself to remember is that internet strangers find something of value in you, perhaps there really is something of value to you.
Thanks, y’all.
My cell PHONE died. It was a cell PHONE. I used it as a PHONE, to get and receive PHONE calls. I tried to get it replaced.
I guess the cell PHONE is a thing of the past. I now have a hand held device that does everything but clean the kitchen sink.
I’ll use it as a PHONE.
Yes, and? Do you mean your previous PHONE didn’t have a camera attached, and your previous PHONE didn’t have texting capability, and your previous PHONE didn’t have internet access?
One of my friends passed away abruptly this summer. 
Yesterday, his widow tweeted that she had just received a bill from his accountant - for the phone call she made to inform them of his death and that she would be the point of contact henceforth. Is it just me, or is that pretty tone-deaf?
I’d be looking for a new accountant.