Who Am I?
Hi! My name is Michelle, but I have been called Bella for most of my life by my mother. I currently live in Phoenix, Arizona within the United States. The name of my blog is: www.bellasbabbles.com
I am a stepmom to two amazing children, a partner to a man who is the frosting to my cupcake and I am employed as an Executive Assistant by day and a super hero by night. Not really, but a girl can dream. I am in school pursuing my bachelor’s Degree and on the side, in my free time, I like to make custom cakes and cupcakes (I like to eat them as well!)
I have lived a life with mental illness including anxiety, depression, anorexia, and bulimia. While most recently being diagnosed as Bipolar One with mixed episodes and suffering with PTSD.
What in the World Happened?
I suffer from severe endometriosis and have had several surgeries to remove the adhesions. In 2015 following the removal of the beginning stages of uterine cancer, I had a hysterectomy. I was 29. The following year, life was decent. The fibromyalgia had left like a thief in the night post-surgery and I was feeling amazing. Until I was not doing so well by summer and by winter I was losing my mind. A combination of a mixed episode and the onset of menopause I suffered a major mental breakdown. In February of 2016 I was diagnosed as Bipolar One with mixed episodes and volleyed between mania and depression before settling in the bowels of the worst depression of my life for five months.
How do I get through it?
In July of 2016, we finally found the right balance of medication and hormones and the depression lifted as I started an IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) that lasted two months. Every day, regardless of how I felt, I would push myself to get out of bed and stick to a routine that included three meals and a shower. There were days when this was incredibly difficult, but I never gave up. I would tell myself that I needed to continue to press on and focus on the goals that I have. I also reminded myself many times during the day that this too shall pass. After 7-8 months my own personal sunshine came out and it was glorious.
Present Day
A strength of mine is perseverance. It has helped me get through so many mental and physical issues. I have a drive in me that has helped me conquer so many obstacles.
Today, I am in a fantastic place. I attribute my place of stability to the new regime of medication that I have been on for a few months. As much as there are undesirable side effects, the good out weigh the bad and I am grateful for the stability and peace in my life.
I attempt to share the positive outlook that I have in my life with those that read my blog. Although all my blogs are not about mental illness, they do encompass my wit and positive vibes. I have worked to not be ashamed of my illness, but to embrace it as it has made me who I am and brought me to where I am today and for that I am incredibly grateful.
Here is a link to Michelle’s blog Bella’s Babbles.
Heather
Thank you for sharing your story.
You are an amazing person and a strong survivor.
You deserve much praise and honor.
Your story is your glory.
We celebrate you.
If you want to share your story on my blog and join us on our campaign “There’s Glory in Sharing Your Story,” please check out the post titled, Please Help Me With My New Campaign – “There’s Glory in Sharing Your Story” to learn the mission behind our campaign.
For suggestions and ideas about how to write your story and for directions on how to share your story on my blog, please visit the post titled A Revised Guide – How to Write and Share Your Story For “There’s Glory in Sharing Your Story.“
Thank you in advance for participating and helping our cause of increasing awareness and educating about mental health and mental illness, reducing suicide and ending the stigma of mental illness.
We are on a mission to save lives.
We are on a mission
to improve the quality of people’s lives
who live with mental illness.
Thank you for being you.
Much love and hugs, Sue
“There’s no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
~Maya Angelou
Copyright © 2018 Susan Walz | myloudbipolarwhispers.com | All Rights reserved
My Loud Whispers of Hope 
Reblogged this on Mental Health @ Home.
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Thanks for sharing. ❤😊😘
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Perimenopause hit me hard with worsening depression. I went to an IOP years ago that was DBT based. The structure of it was good for me. I felt obligated to go, as if I would be letting the other members down if I didn’t show up. The DBT skills I learned were very helpful. thank you for sharing your story. I will be checking out your blog.
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