Update from Noblemacaw

[noblemacaw]

For the next two weeks then for another two weeks in January I will not have consistent internet access. The computers at the VA are just too slow to do anything but go to their website to take care of business. Facebook will not load well and I have not tried parrot forms because they only give you so much time to use the computer.

I wanted to let everyone know that I am doing better. My recovery is a slow process but I am moving forward. I am thankful for the VA and for the programs they have for us vets. I honestly think if I didn't get help from the VA I would be dead by now. Today I drove home to take care of Valentino, get some internet time with access of decent speed and watch my favorite shows. Later tonight I will drive back to the VA lodging and continue to stay there until Friday. Next week I will be doing the same thing. Staying at the VA lodging during the week and coming home for Christmas and the weekend.

Please...if you so inclined....pray for my fellow Vets and I during our difficult time. These people do not deserve to suffer for what has happened to them and believe me, their steps to recovery is intense. Our government is finally acknowledging mental illness with our Vets and providing very good programs to help us recover and move forward.

 

[MikeyTN]

I'm glad your doing better! I hope you keep on improving and thank you for serving our country to begin with. Everything is going to be all right, just think positive!

 

[crimson]

HUGS to you Rebecca, will talk soon

 

[Captsteve]

From a fellow Vet, Thank You for your service and godspeed on your recovery.

All gave some, some gave all. No truer words were ever spoken...

 

[GaryBV]

Although we don't know each other, we are members of this community together, and I will keep you in my thoughts. I wish I was able to help with you birds while you are away from them so that at least would be something less for you to worry about.

 

[Terry57]

I will keep you and the other vets in my prayers, and I want to say thank you for your service. A thank you is not even close to being enough for the sacrifices you all have made.

 

[Gizmomania]

We're all rooting for you, Rebecca. Get better soon.

 

[Betrisher]

Rebecca, it's great to see you taking positive steps after the hard knocks you've had. I hope you have a great holiday and wish you every happiness for 2014 and beyond.

 

[strudel]

I hope you have a lovely rest and feel better for the care you'll get there.

 

[Blancaej]

Thank you for your service. You and all vets will be in my thoughts and prayers. You take care and feel better. We will all be here to chat when you return.

 

[mtdoramike]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and fellow vets during this time Noble, I hope you get to feeling better soon and rejoin the flock on a regular basis, we miss you.

 

[getwozzy]

Thank you and all the vets for your service and sacrifices you've made for our country! I'm glad to hear that you're doing better sending thoughts and prayers your way!

 

[noblemacaw]

I am back home for the weekend. Yea computer/internet access! I am two weeks in my day program at the VA and have one more week to go. Today a few of my fellow Vets have graduated from the program and have gone home. I will miss them and the ones I have become close too. Coming back on Monday is going to be a bit difficult without my friends. I am sure my adjustment will move forward as other vets begin the program. I realized how lonely I truly am and hid from life by being reclusive. I graduate from the day program on Dec 30th.

In a program this intense you cannot help but be able to relate to another of similar experiences and traumas. It was suggested that I stay in the VA lodging so I can have some distance between Lupe and I (she still lives with me) but to have some peace so I can concentrate on this program with as little distractions as possible. I came home this weekend to work some skills I have learned while there. If I don't do well I will pack up some needed clean cloths and return to lodging early on Sunday.

The support of many people on this form has meant a lot to me. It helps that there are other people out in this world, even though I have not met any of you face to face, that care about my welfare. My self esteem and self confidence really took a hit but in the end it was Lupe who made the decision and I cannot change what happened. They call this radical acceptance "It is what It is".

Since Friday is a half day I came home about 12:30pm and walked into the house. Valentino just stared at me as I was in the mud room taking off my boots and as I entered further in he began to say HI over and over. I discarded my coat and put down my things and walked up to the cage. We looked at each other so I slowly open the cage with caution. Sometimes when the bonded one has been away awhile the parrot might take the anger out on that person by giving them one nasty bite. I was trying to avoid this which is why I was moving slowly and trying to gauge how Valentino was going to react to me when I took him out of the cage.

He could not scramble out of the cage fast enough and get onto my person. He almost fell in his hurry to get to me and I could not help but smile. I never had to worry about the "I am going to take out my displeasure of you being gone" bite. Valentino was like always and accepted me back right away.

It kind of pains me that Lupe had to take care of him while I am away but I have to remember she does love him and they have their own relationship. While I was gone Valentino really didn't want much with Lupe and when she took him out he would fly around the house looking for me. I felt bad when I learned that.

Tonight while relaxing and watching TV I will spend "momma time" with Valentino like I normally do. I missed him very much while I was away.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Rebecca, it is SO good to hear from you. You ought to be so very proud of yourself for taking all the steps that are right for you, that are working for you. Is there any way you can stay in touch with those vets who finished the program?

You must be so happy to be with your beloved Valentino - and vice versa!!

Many, MANY hugs to you!!! XOXO

 

[crimson]

It's so good to hear from you, and I am so very pleased that things are finally taking a positive turn in your life.

how sweet is Valentino for missing his mommy!!, gosh he sounds adorable, a true bond is there for sure!

 

[strudel]

I'm so pleased that Valentino gave you the "full works" when you came home. There's nothing like pet love to make you feel better.

They call this radical acceptance "It is what It is".

When I was in France, I'd throw out "c'est la vie!" and my french friend would then say "et la vie est mal faite!". Not so "mal faite" when there are Valentinos in it. There are good things ahead for you and I'm so pleased that you've found the program useful in dealing with the adjustments you are faced with.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I'm not sure I really know what is going on recently but one of my close friends is an Army vet and a few years ago she did a VA PTSD program which she found helpful. She stays very involved with Combat Paper. I have gone to some Combat Paper exhibits with her and it is really interesting, met some of her friends, saw art they made from their uniforms, creating something from their memories. Anyhow I think she finds it really grounding to stay in contact with other vets who she feels can understand her, and to share some of it with others. Maybe you will find a few new contacts in this program, new friends who get what you feel.

Glad you sound like you are moving forward in your life in a positive way.

 

[Betrisher]

Hey Rebecca! It's lovely to hear from you and especially nice to know Valentino is in tune with you and your needs right now. Please remember there's a lot of us out here who've also faced difficult times in life and not known where to turn. You're NOT alone - you have friends here who feel for you and who understand to some small degree what you're going through. Best of all, we sure do know how it feels to be greeted by a little birdie who loves us. Meltmeltmelt!

I'm so proud of you and how far you've already come and I wish you every wonderful thing for 2014. Let's hope it brings peace and calm to all of us!