In my mother’s 82nd year, Dr. David Metzler diagnosed her with bipolar disorder. She had spent close to 61 years battling this very difficult disease. She hallucinated sounds and thought people were trying to hurt her. She had bouts of deep depression, in which she could think about nothing but death. Her life, and therefore ours, was all about getting to sleep at night, something that left her with many lonely hours on our front porch in her youth, and in front of the television set watching infomercials in her old age. She saw many doctors, none of whom could help.

In 2000, she became manic. We did not know what was happening to her. Dr. Metzler stepped into our lives. He treated my mother for three long weeks in which she never slept. During the fourth week, he had the symptoms controlled, for the first time in her 80-plus years. I asked my mother what the best part of this symptom-free life was. She said for the first time, I can sleep when I want to sleep.
My mother passed away in January but lived with bipolar controlled for seven years, thanks to our friend Dr. Metzler.

I write this as a tribute to a man who spent day and night, working to help my mother. I also write this for the many who suffer with this disease needlessly. Medication is not perfect and there are side effects to deal with. Thank you Dr. Metzler, and may God stay with you and your family.

 

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