Status Update
1. Today was my third ECT treatment. It was at noon and I didn’t get to sleep past nine, so I spent the morning being grumpy about not being allowed to eat (because of anesthesia). I was pretty tired afterward, a little more groggy than I was with the first two treatments, but still not bad. I also continue to have headaches, but they are not very severe, mostly just annoying.
Also today for the first time I noticed what might be some cognitive effects. I had a LOT of déjà vu this afternoon, and this evening had some trouble finding words. But maybe I was just tired.
2. My new roommate brought a home-made board game about the experience of being inpatient on this unit. It is HILARIOUS. The goal is to earn happiness points both for yourself and for the staff. When you get enough points in each category, you get discharged and win the game. Play centers around “chance”-like cards that you draw each turn, which have different scenarios. Occasionally you have a choice between two options on the card, but in general you don’t have much power over what happens to you— exactly like in real life. I think all the staff here should be required to play this game. (Not that most of them aren’t wonderful.)
3. I am probably getting discharged on Friday. I am worried about going home, but mostly just because I’m sure I’m going to mess up my meds and do something like take an anti-seizure med right before they try to make my brain seize during ECT, or neglect to take something when I don’t have ECT and be affected by withdrawal.
Now it is time to read Harry Potter and go to sleep.
