well again it has been a while; if you believe it this time our monitor crashed and we only got a new one today...
the phone call from MCRS didn't start off very well... basically the psyche report says that Alex does not have ptsd at all and therefore is not affected by it! The good news however is that MCRS has decided to throw that report out the window! The case manager told us it isn't even the report they requested the psyche to write up and it only contained two paragraphs! She told us that they would be paying us the redemptiom of incapacity payments and we received that today... we are now debt free, our bills are up to date and our rent is paid up to the end of our lease! and we have enough squared away for a small ($20000) deposit for a house. Alex and I are so much more relaxed now it is unbelievable! and our solicitor knows a get psyche if we need one and he tells us he thinks the compensation side of things should be sorted out and finalised in about three or four months. YAY!!! This is the best Christmas ever fro Alex and I. And it wasn't until after the money went in this morning that Alex and I remembered that our new years resolution at the start of this year was to be debt free; and now we are.
I hope everyone had a day like mine today; busy and relaxed all at the same time.
Tammy

Wonderful Tammy, what fantastic news for you both! I agree, it is the best Christmas present you could have received! It's curious, many tend to say money isn't important, however when it comes right down to it, money problems are one of the worst stressors on the family. In any event, I am most happy for you, congratulations!

Wow Tam.... congratulations. Sorry, I know I still have to ring you both, and do plan on it. My brain is just occupied at present. I will ring you both though, as I do want to speak with you both.

Awesome news Tammy. What a good feeling it must be to be debt free - one less stress. Happy for you both.

Enjoy the feeling Tammy! I'm glad you got some good news.

Thanks guys, both Alex and I are so relieved at the moment!

Anthony, don't worry about not ringing; I know you are having a rough time at present and I don't expect you to put us before your own 'issues'. We still love you...

Anyway, I feel as though I am going to collapse so I will sign off for tonight.

A much happier and more relaxed
Tammy

Tammy. Nice to "meet" you. I am also in Australia and also have a hubby with PTSD. I have just read thru all of the posts in this thread. It was like reading a story book with suspense, lows and highs! And I am so glad to see it is now at a high! Very happy for you. Hope the money thing all works out.

My husband and I are in a similar sitiuation in terms of financial stress. I synmpathise with you trying to get Alex back into the workforce. Only thankfully my husband has not really stopped working for more than a few weeks, right after his trauma and a then a week at a time twice since.

Don't ever forget what a blow to a man's self esteem it can be to not be able to provide for his family. That combined with the other dramas you have had with MCRS cannot have made Alex's road to healing any easier. I suspect he resists honestly addressing your queires about returning to work because he feels a sense of shame about a lack of desire for it, or it just all seems too much, and so he gets angry with himself and that anger is thrown at you. Perhaps.

When I also read that you are not working and that Centrelink are on your back about it, it made me wonder if perhaps there may be some sort of simple venture you could enter into where you can work together. I also realise this could a bad idea, given your need for a break now and then, but perhaps if Alex is so dependend on you and the stress of both being separated from you and restarting work at the same time is so great, this may be a good way of easing hm back into the saddle? Especially if you have young children, perhaps something you can do together from home? Delivering catalogues in local letterboxes for example... If nothing else but to renew Alex's self esteem in terms of having a job may be a big step, regardless of the status or quality of the job.

I can also identify with you in regards to Alex's treatment. I believe it is the same treatment that my husband has had one proper session with, but I will have to look it up to check.

Best of luck to you.

Thank you Bella,
Alex has started collecting what he calls 'antiques' (and I call merely junk cluttering up my home- though I never say that to him). He has come up with an idea to buy these things and then sell them on ebay; and as he has no computer knowledge he needs my help to do that (I only know the basics though). He is ery interested in starting that up, an now we have the money to do it, he is looking forward to it even more.
I am actually enrolling in a councilling course through the local tafe to become a qualified social worker for people with substance abuse problems! I just have to wait until our lease expires and we find another house before I can enrol to the closest tafe. Work Directions says that they won't view my studying as working or osmething along those lines, but I figure I don't need their assistance anymore now that we have the money I can pay for the course myself.
Alex is confused right now as to what he wants to do! He is thinking of going back to being a labourer as soon as his psyche gives him the green light.
I do hope your financial troubles are soon resolved...
Tammy

Hey Tammy, it sounds as though Alex has had a real morale boost and is getting motivated with his antiques and about working in general. Maybe the antiques will all work out really well. But I hear you about the "junk" I have very similar problems. I think we have a lot in common in our situations...

What is it with men & ebay

Hubby's thing is for computers & for a while there I couldn't find our lounge room for stuff. Mind you it does keep him busy so I'm all for it. So antiques hey Tammy, maybe our guys should get together on line & rule the world & keep us in a manner we can become accustomed to