Comment from Angel Debbie

Exceptional

Yes that was some nightmare and one I don't want to live through again. That actually happened to my husband after his neck surgery. He was seeing witches flying past the window and snakes slithering on the floors and other things too. I don't blame you for not wanting the drugs The second time round. Scarry. Great title for it that is for sure!

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2025

Hi Debbie, sounds like you have gone through the same thing. Would you care to share? We can be there for each other. I know back 25 years ago there was nobody fighting this dirty practice between doctors and big pharma. When the legislature cracked down there was a multi-billionaire settlement and I could have received compensation for the suffering. But I said no. I just wanted to try to forget it.

As they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My faith was lower when I was on them because I was letting the pills rule my happiness, not Jesus.

I do live with a lot of pain, but I write and use mind over matter and I pray about it now instead of waiting for my next fix. It feels good to see the other side so it's not so easy to judge.

Thanks for the very kind words, dear friend. Lotsa love, Debi

reply by Angel Debbie on 21-Feb-2025

This just happened this past September when they over medicated my husband after his neck surgery. They had him so doped up at the hospital he didn't even know how he got home or who it was that brought him home. It was me. They released him with this narcotic pain killer and muscle relaxer. The two mixed was my nightmare. He started seeing weird stuff doing weird stuff I called his Dr after two days of dealing with stopping my husband. From all these weird behaviors to find out these medicines were not supposed to be used together and I had to ween him off of them it took about 4 days before he was being normal again. He still deals with the pain and takes ibuprofen and a pain reliever roll on to help. Like you I've taken him to so many Drs since the neck surgery it's crazy. 220 thousand dollar crazy. I have pain to with my knees being bone on bone and I work through it with my writing and jewelry making. Keeping my mind busy to. I know one thing I sure am glad God planted ✍️ in me before I got old. He knew all that I was going to go through in my future. Blessings to you Debi

reply by the author on 21-Feb-2025

Thank you for sharing that. Drs can be so uncaring as long as they get their payback

Comment from Michael Ludwinder

Excellent

Wow, your story hit me hard. The way you described your journey through addiction and withdrawal was so powerful. Your honesty about the struggle and the way it took over your life made your story feel incredibly real. That nightmare you had was absolutely terrifying. I could feel the weight of everything you went through. But the strength you showed in overcoming it and refusing painkillers even after knee replacements is beyond inspiring. Your last line gave me chills - what an incredible testament to your willpower.

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2025

Thank you so much, Michael. Back 25 years ago there was nobody fighting this dirty practice between doctors and big pharma. When the legislature cracked down there was a multi-billionaire settlement and I could have received compensation for the suffering. But I said no. I just wanted to try to forget it.

As they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My faith was lower when I was on them because I was letting the pills rule my happiness, not Jesus.

I do live with a lot of pain, but I write and use mind over matter and I pray about it now instead of waiting for my next fix. It feels good to see the other side so it's not so easy to judge.

Thanks for the very kind words, dear friend.

Comment from davisr (Rhonda)

Excellent

Oh Debi,
What a living and dreaming nightmare. I'm sorry for what you went through, but so glad you shared it with us here. As you know, I'm raising the child of an addict. What you shared helps me to understand mom more. Mind you, if she continues the drugs, I'll protect our child, but now I understand a bit more about what makes her to what she does.

I love the closing line!!!! What a brave soul!!!

Much love,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2025

Hi Rhonda, yes, it is almost the same thing. Only mine was legal. That is about it. But here's the thing that is the same between Kylie's mom and me, I still get excited over the thought of them. I have the strength to say no, but that is because my family is the only choice for me. Is that the same for Kylie's mom?

Back 25 years ago there was nobody fighting this dirty practice between doctors and big pharma. When the legislature cracked down there was a multi-billionaire settlement and I could have received compensation for the suffering. But I said no. I just wanted to try to forget it.

As they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My faith was lower when I was on them because I was letting the pills rule my happiness, not Jesus.

I do live with a lot of pain, but I write and use mind over matter and I pray about it now instead of waiting for my next fix. It feels good to see the other side so it's not so easy to judge others like Wayne's daughter. But do I think she should ever have Kylie? I would never trust her, knowing what I know.

Thanks for the very kind words, dear friend. Love ya, Debi

reply by davisr (Rhonda) on 21-Feb-2025

You know, Debi, what you've said here helps me even more with the Emily/Kylie situation. You did choose family over medication, but Emily has shown consistently that she doesn't. Right now, she's in jail where she can't get drugs, so it's easy for her to say she will do things differently. Outside, we'll see what happens. Thank you for your advice, because it's a world I don't really understand. My father was an alcoholic, so that's pretty close. He didn't choose family, either.

Love you bunches,
Rhonda

Comment from Sally Law

Exceptional

Debi dear, Wow and Wow! This is a powerful testimony of getting off the drugs, my friend. You're so very brave and I love that about you! The part about the devil manifesting himself in a dream is real, because I know. He knows when he has us and he seeks to grab more in order to kill, steal and destroy us.

Praise the Lord for your deliverance. I find that deliverance begins with saying no to the temptations; for God has given us free will and the power to choose.

Wonderfully offered, aptly illustrated and presented, finished in a hopeful light!

Sending you my best today as always, and love and blessings abundant.
Sal XOs

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2025

Hi there Sally, as they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My faith was lower when I was on them because I was letting the pills rule my happiness, not Jesus.

I do live with a lot of pain, but I write and use mind over matter and I pray about it now instead of waiting for my next fix. It feels good to see the other side so it's not so easy to judge.

Thanks for the very kind words and the lovely six stars, my dear friend.
Love you so much! Debi

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

I am sorry that you had to go through that and it sounds as though it was a very nightmare event in your life, but I am so glad that you are free of the narcotics now. When I was young, I got drunk three times and each time I had a problem and I said to myself, Patricia, you do not need to drink to be healthy. You need to just quit drinking. So I decided at that point that I would never take another drink. Patricia.

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Well Patricia, I wasn't that smart. When I was 17, I went to my first party cause I was staying with a friend in town. I got drunk, a boy offered to give me a ride to my friend's house and he raped me. In school on Monday morning it was rumored all throughout that I willingly slept with the guy.

But I'm not sure if the betrayal of the drugs wasn't worse than the rape. I have carried that shame for a long time too, but drug addiction is more powerful than I would have ever imagined.

I am just glad nothing bad happened to you when you got drunk. If I drink now it is just one small glass of wine. Amazing how when we grow up, we don't look forward to the party from the drink. Just the drink. LOL

Thanks for the awesome review, my dear friend. Love, Debi

reply by patcelaw on 19-Feb-2025

That's something did happen the last time that I got drunk I was also raped and I had a pregnancy as a result of that rape. I wound up giving my child up for adoption rather than to have an abortion or my family wanted me to do. But I have never been Regretting having given the son up for adoption and I found him when he was 35 years of age and he's a very nice man, and he was raised by a good mother and father.

reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Wow, thank you for sharing that with me, Pat. You know, I had a feeling there might be a little more to your story than just getting drunk. I don't know why. I normally don't tell of my rape like that.
I think that God wanted me to tell you about mine so you would tell me about yours.
After all, God knows that's what friends are for.
PS. Good for you for giving him up instead of abortion.
Ultimately abortion killed my friend because after she did it, she could not live with herself and the guilt would make her sick and it killed her.

Comment from Julie Helms

Excellent

Debi,
You have shared a deeply personal and painful experience. It is a journey that many don't survive. Even with how resistant you were to starting the narcotics in the beginning, the pain won out--for a time. Yet you prevailed in the end!
Your literal nightmare is a terrifying one. I don't know if it was coming from your brain or Satan himself (I believe it could be either), but it seemed to give you that extra oomph to get clean and stay clean.

I have a few punctuation suggestions if you are interested:

***I was looking at the world through rose colored glasses and I liked what I saw.
(hyphen and comma: ...rose-colored glasses, and...)

My new-found happiness
(newfound)

My new doctor's plan was to ween off slowly,
(wean)

Thank you for sharing such a powerful story.
Julie

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Thanks a million, Julie. I appreciate the help with my typos. I also appreciate your wonderful review and kind comments. It was so good to see you again, my friend. Love, Debi

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Excellent

Well, I feel as if I have read this before, but perhaps it was in a poetic form.
I also was thinking just last night as I refill my twice-daily weekly medicinal boxes I sure do take a lot of pills, and though none are addictive I muse how do each know where and when to let go of their powers???

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2025

Hi Tom, as they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My faith was lower when I was on them because I was letting the pills rule my happiness, not Jesus.

I do live with a lot of pain, but I write and use mind over matter and I pray about it now instead of waiting for my next fix. It feels good to see the other side so it's not so easy to judge.

Thanks for the very kind words, dear friend. Love you so much! Debi

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

This is very timely because I've just been reviewing Jim Wile's amazing story with addiction at its root! Your well constructed story, Debi, fills me with horror, albeit I know from my past life in Probation how addiction can destroy lives. One of the most salient parts of your write is your reference to drug addiction not being the exclusive domain of the street junkie. As you rightly point out, it's not fussy about whom it claims as its victim. After all, we're all on a spectrum of some kind, craving pleasure, relief from pain and general gratification. It's just that Big Pharma can capitalise on our needs by not regulating properly.
Your nightmare image is so vivid and horrendous too, Debi, and must have acted as a spur in your general determination to withdraw to a safe dosage. I'm so relieved and pleased for you that, in the end, things worked out. Without family love and support and strong resolve, it's a recipe for disaster and death. This is a great entry for the club. Well done! Love Debbie xx

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2025

Hi Debbie, as they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My faith was lower when I was on them because I was letting the pills rule my happiness, not Jesus.

I do live with a lot of pain, but I write and use mind over matter and I pray about it now instead of waiting for my next fix. It feels good to see the other side so it's not so easy to judge.

Thanks for the very kind words, dear friend. Love you so much! Debi

Comment from Begin Again

Excellent

Oh, Debi, how horrific for you to go through such a terrible addiction and then have to face so much more pain when you stopped. You are a very brave woman. I pray our Lord gives you the strength to banish that nightmare and the agony.
Hugs, Carol

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 21-Feb-2025

Hi Carol, as they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My faith was lower when I was on them because I was letting the pills rule my happiness, not Jesus.

I do live with a lot of pain, but I write and use mind over matter and I pray about it now instead of waiting for my next fix. It feels good to see the other side so it's not so easy to judge.

Thanks for the very kind words, dear friend. Love you so much! Debi

Comment from Sanku

Excellent

What you have achieved s nothing short of miracle . To free yourself from the clutches of painkillers is no mean feat. Are you still in pain? Do you practise any alternate therapy?
God bless you,Debi.

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 21-Feb-2025

You are so sweet, Santha. As they say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My faith was lower when I was on them because I was letting the pills rule my happiness, not Jesus.

I do live with a lot of pain, but I write and use mind over matter and I pray about it now instead of waiting for my next fix. It feels good to see the other side so it's not so easy to judge.

Thanks for the very kind words, dear friend. Love you so much! Debi