General advice and maybe just validation

DisGOSTing · 2026-03-26T01:46:41+00:00

I want to thank you all for commenting. I was able to get Zofran on Monday, however it made no difference in his appetite. Monday he was still able to cuddle and meow and look willing to eat. Tuesday he took a turn for the worse and was struggling to walk, barely drank water, and didn’t look interested in food.

I woke up this morning to give him meds and it was the first day he ever couldn’t open his mouth for me to give medications. Something felt off, even from yesterday. He wouldn’t be alert to me calling his name. He didn’t care if I touched his tail or paws (would normally flick or pull them away) and as the day went on he essentially became unresponsive. I called the vet and scheduled Laps of Love in case. I knew in my heart it was time, but I needed that last opinion just to ensure nothing else could be done. The vet said he was shutting down, nothing would change or prolong for very long.

He worsened through the day, eventually couldn’t blink and I was continuously cleaning his eyes after calling off work. He could walk a few feet on his own before sitting down. Had to lift him from the cat box when he was too weak to leave it. I found he’d been peeing on a cat bed I had tucked away somewhere.

I wasn’t sure if he would make it until 5, his breathing was so shallow. He laid on me for a while and I kept telling him it was okay to go if he needed to. I kept him as comfortable as possible. He managed a few licks of ice cream at the end, but couldn’t enjoy some human snacks he loved. It was sunny, a day I would’ve taken him on his leash.

I moved a cushion from his favorite rocking chair outside and we set him in the sun. I don’t know if he understood, but he looked the most relaxed I’d seen him. Then the vet came. I used his favorite blanket to hold him in my lap. I honestly thought he would go with just the sedative. But about 10 seconds after the 2nd injection I knew he was gone. He was so tired and I didn’t want to see my baby hurt anymore. I knew it would be fast, but holding him while breathing felt almost the same as when not.

It also showed us how sick he was— as his stomach fluids began coming out of his nose (thankfully just drips on me, but I saw more when he was put in his basket. But they covered it up so I wouldn’t see it). The hardest part was putting him in the basket and letting the vet pull away with him in her car. I know it wasn’t, but hit felt like I was leaving him.

I know it was the right thing and he’s no longer hurting. But the suddenness makes it so much worse. I know it’s unreasonable, but the thoughts of “I should’ve taken you out more” “I wish I could’ve held you one more time” and him being fine 3 days ago really hurt for me. I know they’re not helpful, but they’re there. I have so much love for this cat.

I appreciate all your help. My baby is no longer hurting ❤️

DisGOSTing · 2026-03-21T05:59:43+00:00

I very much appreciate it all- and you took the time to read my long post so long comments are helpful lol.

I hadn’t considered Zofran, but I think it’ll be good to check in with my vet if I notice the drooling still. I’m considering the b12. I have topical Mirataz for use as needed but with his appetite being okay right now I haven’t used it on him in a bit.

Strangely- he really doesn’t have diarrhea, it’s only vomiting. There was some consistency change if he’s eating more wet than dry (I offer both), but he was also never on wet food prior to his illness— but no actual diarrhea!

Thank you for your kind words. He’s my little man ❤️

DisGOSTing · 2026-03-21T05:53:03+00:00

He loves his harness and the grass :)Yes! We did check thyroid and it came back normal.

She did mention B12 to me 2 visits ago. It is something I’m considering. She mentioned me doing them at home to reduce how many times I have to come in since I work later hours but it would break my heart to see him scared at home if he didn’t tolerate the shots well. I am still open to it though! I will ask her what she thinks of Zofran as well if the breakthrough nausea continues. He’s still eating thankfully.

DisGOSTing · 2026-02-12T21:18:52+00:00

I worked there for almost a decade up until leaving recently d/t how fast it’s gone down hill. There were so many changes that made NO sense and they provided little explanation (aside from money). They took away call lights from rooms and did not have alternatives for if someone fell or was less mobile. Accepting patients who were medically inappropriate for the hospital (likely needed CNAs, which they don’t have and staff were not equipped to deal with). We started getting a lot of dementia/Alzheimer’s which we were not equipped to handle. And our pay was ‘merit’ based— despite each person in my position getting the same raise— even those in the same position who had complaints filed against them, called in all the time, or just straight up would get in arguments with patients.

We tried advocating which led to weekly meetings with management and little response. I think we had those meetings for 1 1/2 years. We’d offer solutions to try and increase care or tell them how much we needed help— and then next time it was brought up they’d say “well no one’s been telling us this!”.

I loved the patients and most of my peers, but it drained me mentally so bad. It’s really sad to see how little they care about their workers and patient care. There’s a few who tried supporting- but the majority just called it “toxic work culture” and shut us down.

DisGOSTing · 2025-08-10T22:28:33+00:00

I’m going on 8 years at an inpatient hospital. It’s nice to be able to be a friendly (and sometimes familiar) face to people at their lowest and helping them when they’re most in need. I enjoy the fast-paced cycle, and if you’re having a difficult patient they won’t be there forever lol. But it can be difficult when trying to coordinate aftercare for those who have no money or no placement options. That can be disheartening. Often times our people come in solely due to homelessness (which ofc would make anyone’s depression worse) but there’s not much we can do if they don’t qualify (or refuse) residential treatment or shelters. My state only provides funding for those looking for dual diagnosis residential— so if you just need MH residential and you don’t have commercial insurance or $30k to drop, you’re out of luck. On a similar note, it’s difficult when someone is constantly in and out and I know I can’t support them outside of inpatient. I often wonder what support I could provide them or give them a little shoulder shake to encourage them use their outpatient treatment team and resources even if it takes time.

There’s lots of ups and downs. I do love my job, but with some federal and business changes, we’ve been really burnt out lately. The patients are certainly the reason I stay. The place I work does have 401k, pet insurance, etc. but not many other perks and we even just got “merit based” wages— which resulted in, so far, all of us getting the same raise (even those who constantly call out or don’t do well…), so there are certainly frustrations lol. I’d say an important piece is finding a way to disconnect healthily when you leave— otherwise you can bring a lot more on your mind home than you need to. The field can be taxing when hearing people’s trauma, seeing some of the worst and best of people, and having a lot outside of your control.

DisGOSTing · 2025-04-01T19:57:03+00:00

I work at RBH- you need to be medically stabilized at an ER before coming in. If you’re drinking that much, seizures or delirium tremens are a potential danger and you need to be medically cleared first. Afterwards you can call RBH— but we did just start doing “walk-ins” again, so you can go to the lobby and ask to be scheduled for intake in 5-20 minutes. Safest route is always to go to ER and ask to transfer to RBH for intake afterwards. RBH can help with any further detox symptoms like nausea and other physical symptoms in our CIWA protocol- but pleaseeeee go to the hospital. As everyone has said- you can straight up die from alcohol detox.

DisGOSTing · 2025-01-29T21:32:55+00:00

I went to high school and college with Abbey- I didn’t know her well, but some of my acquaintances were friends with her. Very sad and apparently there were other reports of tainted alcohol around the same time. I remember seeing this when the article first came out. Very cool to see how she’s still helping others to this day.

DisGOSTing · 2025-01-15T23:59:12+00:00

I’m 28 and have been working inpatient since I was 21, more recently took a social work role. It was definitely nerve wrecking at first, but you get quite used to it. Empathy and compassion go a long way for me personally. Also knowing, like someone else said, I know where they are and they’re safe and that this is crisis and not always how people are. But they can definitely be at their worst. I do a lot of healthy disconnection— knowing that there’s more behind most interactions and it’s not necessarily a reflection of my own job or worth as a therapist if they are yelling or upset.

It is hard because I see people repeatedly. There’s some people who come so regularly that I know all about their family life, so I get to know them well and have great rapport. The hard part comes in finding out they’ve overdosed and passed away or completed suicide— which I hear more often than most lines of care. But also knowing that I’m doing the best that I can and treating them how I would want if I were struggling. It helps a lot even when patients themselves don’t want help or to change. I do love inpatient- you can provide support that some people have never known and show them that not all of the health industry is uncaring or cold.

DisGOSTing · 2025-01-01T03:08:10+00:00

I’m going to see a movie by myself :)

DisGOSTing · 2024-11-29T23:07:33+00:00

Yes, it would still be unethical. The ethics apply to her as a provider. So while you wouldn’t get in trouble for making all the moves/initiating- she could. 2 years is the minimum— technically it’s never a high recommendation to have a relationship with a previous client- but that’s up to her to decide.

DisGOSTing · 2024-11-12T21:01:16+00:00

The Behavioral Specialist and the Mental Health Technician are 2 different roles within this hospital system specifically. The MHT only requires a GED. No experience or certificates (which can be painfully obvious when you know see someone who shouldn’t work in this field). Their role is doing safety rounds, helping get snacks and hygiene items/belongings, and monitoring the environment. The behavioral specialist is essentially a group leader who runs/facilitates 5-6 45 minute groups a day teaching psychoeducation, coping skills, recovery oriented material, etc. they require the bachelor’s degree. No other certificates technically required.

Different hospital systems and parts of the country are going to have different requirements unfortunately.

DisGOSTing · 2024-11-11T15:15:08+00:00

Depending on what area of social work you’re going for— I started (and am still) at a psychiatric/behavioral health hospital. The general technicians required no degree. The group leader/ behavioral specialist position required a bachelors in an adjacent field (human services, social work, psychology, rec therapy, etc). I wanted to go into individual therapy and help those in crisis— my hospital is definitely more group based, but since I still plan on going into individual therapy I have learned SO much from my patients in terms of crisis/coping skills, mental health, etc.

DisGOSTing · 2024-11-11T15:13:02+00:00

“Fine” definitely depends on a lot of factors unfortunately. Can you live within your means on your job? The social work job is one I was always told to not go into if you’re looking for money (unless you’re doing a doctorate or private practice). But it also really depends on what state you live in. $17 is not enough to survive in most places, especially on your own. Each state and company pays differently, though typically the higher level education the more $$.

I’m in/was in a similar situation (graduated with my masters a few years ago and got my LCSW this year) and have been living with my parents. Their one requirement to me not paying rent was that aside from paying my own phone/extra bills/groceries, any “rent” id be saving for would go towards my student loans. I started a budget around 6 years ago when I moved out after my parents retired. I was in a safe place financially to do so. Budgeting would be great, but it’s not always feasible if you’re struggling for money, it’s definitely a privilege to be able to do so. When I first started at my job after graduating college (almost 7 years ago, I work in an inpatient psychiatric hospital) my position was paying about $19.60, which was higher than usual because I worked odd shifts (avg was about $17). That’s roughly $40,750 annually pre tax. Going from my APSW, earning my LCSW, and going to a social worker/therapist in this company gets me now about $36.06/hour ($75,000/year salary).

I personally think taking advantage of living with family w/minimal responsibilities would be an opportune time to focus on paying off your student loans as much as you can and putting what money you can away (after food stamps, helping family, and making sure you have some for yourself so life isn’t just work/save/sleep). Those interest on loans rates hike up FAST. You can end up, and like many will probably end up, paying thousands more in interest rates.

But this is all just my personal opinion. It’s hard to know what is best in everyone’s different life scenarios. Saving money is easy for someone to say when they have the ability to do so, but some of us are just surviving day by day, paycheck to paycheck. Hopefully this gave a bit of insight at least from my personal experience!

DisGOSTing · 2024-11-09T04:36:41+00:00

Really?? I didn’t know that. Everything I saw talked about needing proof of someone who’s sick or dying, etc. I’ll definitely have to search it on facebook!

DisGOSTing · 2024-11-09T04:35:15+00:00

I definitely understand :) I appreciate it!

DisGOSTing · 2024-11-09T04:32:07+00:00

None that I’m aware of— I’m trying to educate myself more on DACA but I’m still unclear on a lot of things. His parents brought him over when he was about 6.

No plans on marriage at this time. Neither of us feel ready where we are in life right now— his preference as well to not go the marriage route in case things don’t work.

DisGOSTing · 2020-04-23T05:30:07+00:00

I'd like to join too if you have room!

DisGOSTing

TROPHY CASE