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While I am not afflicted with mental illness, my mother-in-law has been certifiable for many years. I do not mean to make light of her situation, but sometimes humor is the only way to stay sane. Although she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for going on 20 years, I have had little interaction with her until the past six weeks. She moved in next door at my husband's request. Prior to her relocation, she lived approximately 80 miles away and we saw her sporadically for short visits. I now interact on a daily basis, although still for short periods. I am never sure what the interaction will entail...how she is feeling at any given moment, why she has blueberries and 10 pounds of bacon on her grocery list, when her next doctor's appointment is scheduled, what prescriptions she needs refilled at the pharmacy, etc. In many aspects, my husband and I have taken on another "child" in addition to the three that I actually birthed. The frustration and emotional toll is much the same in both scenarios! How do you convince her that the proper place to dispose of cat litter "presents" is not by throwing it in the backyard? Should you have to remind someone that they need to do laundry? How do you gently persuade a person that they don't need 3 gallons of cranberry juice because they had a urinary tract infection three months ago? While she is a wonderful person, she has a profound affect on my entire family. My children find her amusing at times and embarrassing at other times. They fear a visit to the school where they might have to explain an odd behavior! Although they understand that she has an illness, it does not make them more accepting. I find myself dreading the trip to the grocery store because of what she might say to the cashier. I can only accept the fact that she is who she is and has what she has! I think that is all anyone can do in this situation. There is no cure...only maintenance! The medication is the only thing that she seems to keep straight and fears any change in that department. She is on at least 12 prescription medications and several OTC varieties. She maintains her own pill dispenser and I have checked on occasion to verify that she has filled it accurately...and she has! So why is it that she can monitor and keep up with 12 medications with several daily doses, but can't remember how to work the remote control!

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