Information and opinions on Bipolar from Winston Smith at BipolarConnect.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023 http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023 http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/90322/stroke-complicated Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:45:53 -0400 Winston Smith Hello to my fellow BiPo's! Six weeks ago, while recovering from the stroke she had last March 20th, my wife broke her wrist while taking out the garbage can. Actually, the doctor used the word "shattered". She went into surgery the next day to have two pins set in place. The next day she is in the pool with her cast secured inside a plastic bag. (She has been in the pool every day since being released from the hospital on April... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/90322/stroke-complicated http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/86223/bipolar-audience Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:16:54 -0400 Winston Smith I recently read about Jessica Stroup's character ("Silver" in this season's 90210") developing Bipolar Disorder, and how she plans to present this mentally-ill character to the viewing audience.This article is from the 09/10/09 online issue of the Huffington Post:    NEW YORK — Jessica Stroup says she appreciates the challenge of playing someone with a mental disorder. The 23-year-old actress plays the bipolar Silver on... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/86223/bipolar-audience http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/74100/problem-advice Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:32:18 -0400 Winston Smith My wife had a massive stroke on March 20, and spent the next 28 days in the hospital (7 days in NICU, nearly 3 weeks in Neurological Rehabilitation. She is doing ok, but still has a left leg and arm with little to no feeling, no left peripheral vision and some other brain issues. She is walking, but not well. She has left her job as a social worker with adults with DD, is on full disability, and can't currently drive.   I am her sole... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/74100/problem-advice http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/64275/wife-stroke Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:33:53 -0400 Winston Smith My wife suffered a major stroke last Thursday night, and the results will be life changing. She is 56 yo, 5'6", 110, a vegetarian for 30 years, takes vitamins and supplements, excercises every day for at least 1 hour and swims 5.5 miles each week. However, she has had high blood pressure for years. Even with medication her BP was 227/170 when she got to the hospital. She is my life, and I worry for her.   Winston http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/64275/wife-stroke http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/62014/kickin Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:18:05 -0500 Winston Smith Hi Y'all!   Sorry I haven't posted anything over the past few months (you probably didn't even notice). Well, right after christmas I had foot surgery, which laid me up for 6 weeks, and I'm still recovering. The first few days home were hell. I was taking Vicadin and, like a good boy, I followed the instructions exactly. Every 4 hours I would take one, and on, and on. I should have known better. A few months ago I was taking this for... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/62014/kickin http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/49649/hospital-administer Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:01:05 -0500 Winston Smith Forgive me if part of this posting is a bit redundant. A good friend's wife burned their house down in a failed suicide attempt. Their insurance company is going to cover the loss (thank God). His wife is in the local behavorial hospital, and was due to have ECT treatments in a day or two. However, since they don't have health insurance, the hospital is refusing this treatment, and they don't have the cash to cover it.   My question: Is... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/49649/hospital-administer http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/48687/home-possessions Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:55:08 -0500 Winston Smith This morning I received a frantic phone call from a good friend's (and member of my church) sister telling me that the friend's wife had drenched the inside of their house with gasoline and set it on fire, in an attempt to kill herself. She had been suffering from depression since losing her job last May.This is what happened: A few months ago, my friend's wife stopped by my church office and let me know she had been let go from a job of 12... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/48687/home-possessions http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/47705/adventures-median Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:22:58 -0500 Winston Smith Well, it finally happened; my board has decided not to ask me back to the church where I have been pastoring for the past 12 years. (4 part-time, 8 full-time) In the United Methodist system, the church is "governed" by various boards. The one I report to is the Pastor Parish Board. They are appointed each year, and can serve for a total of 3 years. They are responsible for making a recommendation as to whether or not to keep the pastor. Until... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/47705/adventures-median http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/45490/state-nami-meeting Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:56:01 -0400 Winston Smith Yesterday I attended the 2008 Indiana NAMI Conference in Indianapolis. This is my first state NAMI conference, but it most certainly won't be my last. Over the years I have spent what seems like endless hours at conferences, seminars and training events. Honestly, this is the first one that I didn't want to end. The plenary speakers were wonderful, one of which gave the best presentation I have ever heard. The breakout sessions were well... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/45490/state-nami-meeting http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/43448/write-mad Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:38:38 -0400 Winston Smith When I am manic I can write for hours at a time. I like to record my feelings, happenings, moods and things in the world that frustrate. For a while I thought that i could create a simple formula that would explain EVERYTHING in the world! I actually did develop a formula, which made perfect sense at the time. However, I read it now, and I have no idea what it means. I miss that.   Anyway, during my last manic episode, I wrote poetry, in... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/1023/43448/write-mad