Comment by Cassi on 29 Mar 2010 at 9:00 pm

Dear Karen,

Student here. Was almost? I attempted suicide and am in serious condition. I took a bunch of pills and they used charcoal in me to try to clean me out I guess. Your book was here in the hospital library section and I’m almost finished reading it now, epilogue to go but saving it until after dinner. Talk about provoking feelings>>>> You know what? It helped me to read it. I was given permission to email you from my therapist. I guess I ask too many questions. What I want to say to you is thank you for shedding light on abuse. I can see my life ahead of me. I made a mistake and was ending my life because my boyfriend dumped me. I am eighteen. Anyway when I get out of here I am starting therapy once a week. I think it may go pretty rough but if you can survive what all you did I know I will survive to.

Cassi

Dear Cassi,

Thank you for sharing your story and for saying my book encouraged you. That is important to me. I am pleased to know Switching Time was in the hospital library. I was hospitalized twice but I don’t recall an in house library. I wish books and computers were available during my stays. Please thank your therapist for allowing you to read the book and contact me.

I’m sorry to hear that your break-up caused you to feel so low, but I’m glad to hear that my story helped you realize life is precious and it can’t be ended over a boyfriend break-up. The way I see such dark times is as a new chance to begin again. Please know that at eighteen you have so much to live for.  Please continue your healing when you leave the hospital. That’s important.  I am not a therapist and can’t give advice, but in my opinion when a relationship breaks up it never means your life is worthless. Your self-esteem can’t be harnessed to whether a boy loves you; it must come from you loving yourself. Please take care of yourself first. I’m sure for you the best is yet to come.

Have faith and your healing will follow.

Karen