Andrea Gunning

But nothing was helping me.

Saskia's sister, Marisa, was especially worried.

This process of tweaking meds was a familiar one.

One she'd been helping their dad navigate for years.

As time went on, Saskia grew more and more desperate for answers.

Anything that would bring her back to herself.

I thought I was hanging on by a thread, like my sanity.

And using prescription drugs and alcohol and whatever else to try to hold on long enough that I could get better.

It got to the point that Saskia checked herself into the hospital twice.

They just adjusted my medications and I felt more hopeful.

I felt healthier.

My sleep got a little bit better.

Everyone saw Saskia's improvement, including Mike.

He wrote her a card in the hospital, encouraging her to keep going.

It felt like just what I needed.

After a few days in the hospital, she would feel better.

It was as if a fog had lifted.

I would start to do better and get out and have some hope.

And I would quickly like decompensate again.

As they watched Saskia's ups and downs, Marisa and Mike were at a loss.