After a month of hospitalization, Diana thought she felt better, what that really meant she didn't remember. She just knew that the voices now only occasionally whispered to her. Although she didn't like the current president, she no longer believed she was being persecuted by the former president and the National Guard were after her. Through the time of finding the right medication dosage, she had now been on one for a week that had quieted the voices and reduced their frequency. Since Diana had not received tenure and her inability to work had been noticed by her colleagues, they had asked her to resign. She had graciously accepted, since it was hard to get out of bed most mornings. Veronica and Anne spent a lot of time researching for a self help type of book for caregivers/ family of those with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. With the age of deinstitutionalization upon them many families had no clue how to best help or even interact with their severely mentally ill relatives. With it hitting so close to home,it being their academic area of specialty, it seemed the right thing to do.
It had been most challenging for William who was defending with his older law partner, a young teenager with a borderline IQ who had supposedly helped his uncle murder a young woman. It had gained national attention and after a long day in court, he was exhausted, thankful that Veronica and Anne were helping as much as they were.
The day Diana was released from the hospital Anne and Veronica had a lot of information to share with William and Diana about how to best help them. Thankful there was one recent book on helping families deal with life after hospitalization written that they could give with the manual they had written.
William didn't know if he'd have time to learn all he needed to do and be a lawyer. Helping people in court seemed so much easier than at home. He had a feeling Veronica would be of more help,but he prayed that he could remain calm cool and collected throughout their married life together.
"William, it is so important that you and Diana learn how to best deal with everything. I know I'm the best friend, the next door neighbor, but you are there for her in more ways than I can be. She needs the love and support of the man she first fell in love with" Veronica stated,the evening Diana had come home from the hospital. She had gone to bed and Veronica, William and Anne were conversing over drinks.
"I understand,I'm so afraid she won't be helped enough by me or won't let me help her, then I'll feel useless, like I can't do any good."
"We will cross that bridge when and if we come to it. But please don't ever feel that you are not needed. Veronica is right. After talking with the head of my order and much prayer, I have decided to take a position with a Franciscan college in LA, so I can be closer,when you need me. But you are the most important person and closest to Diana. I think you should be as active in her care as possible" Said Anne.
"Thank you so much ladies. I think I shall go see my beautiful wife now."
That night William began to feel like he could be of help and it made him very determined to do and learn all he could for Diana.