"depression" is not a dirty word

I have not been blogging that much or really doing much of anything. Last month I tried to get my house organized and clean for the start of our school year but could not seem to make head way. I would bust through a room, tear everything out, clean things up and then be unable to put it all back. I found myself with piles of stuff every where that I had started to work on but never finished. Tears were always hovering in my eyes. Nights were long and restless. Food lost its taste. I was completely overwhelmed.

But I denied it all.

I hid it the best I could and played the part of a busy home schooling mom. I over compensated and filled my children's schedule to the point of not being home to HOME school. I was tired and snapping at everyone.

But I made excuses and shifted the focus off what was really going on.

Somewhere in my mind I thought "depression" was a naughty word and you just don't talk about it. That "depression" was an excuse to blame something besides yourself for not doing well. In my mind the only "real depression" was for those that "had really serious issues like the loss of a loved one". And that most people suffering from it just needed to suck it up and deal with it. I also thought having it meant one's faith was weak. I saw my pastor to find out how to fix things spiritually. He gave me great advice but he also asked if I thought I could be depressed. I assured him I was NOT.

After losing our friend last month I really fell apart. I became afraid to drive the road he died on. Afraid to let my children out of my sight. Afraid that as I watched Hubby drive away to work that he might not come home. The tears came and would not stop. Sleep was hard to come by even with sleep aids. I was now screaming and griping at family all the time over stupid stuff.

But I still refused to admit there was a problem.
After all I didn't want to kill myself or hurt anyone else and that is what depression *is*. Right?

Then Hubby and I had a talk. I told him how I am feeling and said "it must be hormonal or because of my ex-EDD coming up" and put the blame on myself for not praying hard enough. I did agree to see a DR just to fix the "hormones".

I went this last week to a new Family Practice DR that was recommended. She spent 5 hrs with me talking and running a ton of blood work. She agreed that I am having "hormonal issues" and possibly thyroid troubles but she told me that my symptoms were also part of depression. I cried and she said it would be OK. She gave me a prescription for Celexa and scheduled a recheck in 6 wks along with a visit to an Endocrinologist for my hormone and thyroid issues.There is hope.

I started my meds yesterday. Today is the first day in a LONG time that I haven't cried. The tears that have sat on the edge of my eyes threatening to fall are not there. I slept better last night. I know this is not a quick fix. I plan to call my marriage therapist and start seeing him again.  Hubby and I are making plans to help remove some of the chaos and burden I have been carrying. After volleyball ends next month I am not going to over schedule our family. Because I am overwhelmed by all the stuff in my house I am joining in a garage sale at the end of the month. We will keep having Friday Shabbat meals and encouraging one another with the progress we are making. One step at a time.

I do worry about my ex-EDD coming on Sept 30 and I am not sure how I will handle that.  My friends are all due then too and it is going to be hard to not be envious of their happy babymoons. I have lost 4 babies before this one and none hurt like this. I am not sure why this has hit me so hard and has caused this depression like it has.

I do covet your prayers.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK, GRAVY, and BISCUIT RECIPE

Printed from COOKS.COM

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TO PREPARE THE STEAK:

Use 2 pound round steak, 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Ask butcher to tenderize or pound it thoroughly on both sides with meat-tenderizing mallet. Trim off fat. Cut into pieces 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Flour each piece thoroughly and shake off excess. Dip in Chicken Fried Steak Batter (see below for recipe), drain, then flour it again. Use deep fry pan half-filled with a good brand of vegetable oil. Preheat oil to 325 degrees. Cook meat 7 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

 

 

TO PREPARE CHICKEN FRIED STEAK BATTER:

2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 c. milk

Mix the first four ingredients with half the milk and stir until smooth. Add remainder of milk and mix well.

 

 

TO PREPARE THE GRAVY:

In pan where you fried the steak, gradually add one cup of flour and approximately 1/2 stick of butter. Slowly add up to 8 cups milk, stirring constantly until desired thickness is obtained. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and biscuits.

 

 

BISCUIT RECIPE:

2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking powder
5 tbsp. butter
3/4 c. milk

Sift all dry ingredients into a bowl. Cut in butter until mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add milk and mix well. Knead dough, roll and cut. Bake at 425 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

 

 

 

I made this with cube steaks. The batter is the first one I have had success with staying on during the frying process.  I also made the biscuits as "drop" instead of "roll and cut". DELISH!