Amy, I totally agree with you. I am a long standing campaigner against vivisection and other cruelty to animals. Apart from cruel, animal experiments are also extremely unreliable. Humans and animals (except maybe apes) are built different and their organs, especially their blood is very different. Therefore, many drugs that have been successfully tested on animals fail to work on humans. I cannot understand why, with all the technology we have today, scientists have not worked out something more humane and reliable for medical research. Sorry, Dave, if this comment is out of context.

The article about Ms. Cone brought up a subject near to my heart. It said all she wanted was love. I find it easy to say, “All I want is to love and be loved.” That’s all ANYBODY wants, when you get to the bottom of it. But – it also said she was taken advantage of with her kindness to others. I have been taken advantage of – right under my nose. I am too easily trusting of other people.

I had never been around “druggies” before in my life. And here I was, in my apartment house, surrounded by them. The woman upstairs had three children by three different men; however, she did a lot of good things for me. Then – she forged a $850 check. She begged me not to charge her – “I have children!” so I didn’t. She was/is a crack addict, as well as a sex addict.

The woman downstairs lived for two years on probation for being a mediary in drug transactions. As soon as she was off probation – she went back to smoking crack. And who do you think these two women came to for money for their habits? ME. They would say they needed gas money, or something for the kids at school – I soon came to realize they only wanted it to support their addictions, and I was an enabler. It took me a good four YEARS to realize my part in this charade.

It IS too easy to think ALL about others during the Holiday season and not take care of yourself. I have a trip planned for next week to fly to TX for my biological Mother’s 82nd birthday and early Christmas celebration with my brother and his family. So far, so good. Then – the cabin I had reserved, my sister-in-law was frightened of my being so isolated by myself in a remote area, so I had to book reservations in a $200/night resort, practically overnight. And, neither my brother or his wife could meet me at the airport! I have to take a van from Austin airport to their home in Lakeway! And then my brother called me tonight and told me that our Aunt had died last night, and he would have to fly to Chicago over the weekend for the funeral!

On top of this, I am nearly suffering from pneumonia! I don’t think I can travel the way I’m feeling NOW, but maybe by Monday I’ll be better. I saw the DR on Tuesday, and he gave me an inhalant and antibiotics to clear up my lungs!

Talk about stressors at the Holidays! I wrote last night about how I can “weather” crises while they are happening – and then fall apart AFTERWARD. I have warned my boyfriend that a possible hypomania may follow, so he’s prepared. I’m going to make the best of my time with my Mother, and have my “escape valve” at the resort – spending all day AND all night with my relatives is NOT such a good idea!!

BIG HUGS to all those with bipolar disorder, and the ones who love them. My prayers are with you this Holiday Season – stay sane!!