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Dr. Balis:
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Hello, this is Doctor Balis.
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Ms. Tanner:
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Hi. This is Rachel, Rachel Tanner?
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Dr. Balis:
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Hello, Rachel. Are you feeling better?
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Ms. Tanner:
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In some ways, yes. I am not coughing, and my psoriasis is clearing up. But now I have a cold, so I need to cancel my appointment. I don't want to get you sick.
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Dr. Balis:
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Thank you, I was sick last week...
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Ms. Tanner:
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Oh, I'm sorry.
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Dr. Balis:
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I'm better now. So would you like to talk on the phone? I would like to catch up a bit, and I'm free for another hour or so.
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Ms. Tanner:
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Yes, but I don't think I need that much time.
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Dr. Balis:
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Okay, let's start.
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Ms. Tanner:
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Well, I have a major decision to make. Gram is moving back to Germany.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see.
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Ms. Tanner:
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My choices are to go with her, try to convince my brother to let me move in with him, or venture into the wild unknown on my own.
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Dr. Balis:
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The unknown would include what?
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Ms. Tanner:
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Answering an ad for roommates wanted, caretaking an old lady somewhere, renting a studio, living in a cardboard box...
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Dr. Balis:
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Which is your preference?
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Ms. Tanner:
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Moving in with my brother, of course. He knows what Gram's plans are. I'm just waiting for him to invite me. He hasn't yet. It would be quite an upheaval in his life, to say the least.
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Dr. Balis:
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I assume your grandmother is still willing to support you?
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Ms. Tanner:
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Yes, she is going to set up an account for my living expenses, but she wants me to find a job to take care of the rest. She thinks it would be good for me.
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Dr. Balis:
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What do you think?
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Ms. Tanner:
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It's probably time.
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Dr. Balis:
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How is the medication? Any noticeable changes?
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Ms. Tanner:
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I've been restless at night. I wake up at two or three in the morning and lay awake blinking and thinking. I seem to have more energy, but then I am feeling a little better, too. God, I'm tired of being sick!
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Dr. Balis:
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What is your grandmother's time line? How long do you have to make your decision?
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Ms. Tanner:
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She wants to go for Christmas. She suggested that I go with her for the holidays and visit the family I've never met and can't communicate with.
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Dr. Balis:
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Do you want to do that?
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Ms. Tanner:
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I think I'll go, but I don't want to live there.
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Dr. Balis:
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I can understand that. So, you're waiting for your brother to invite you to live with him. Why don't you ask?
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Ms. Tanner:
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I want to give him time to think about it. I'm sure he's considering it. I certainly don't look forward to living in a laundry room, though--that's where I stayed when I visited them last.
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Dr. Balis:
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Rachel, if you are having a hard time deciding, here's a suggestion that I think I've discussed with you before. Make a list of all the positives and negatives that go with each option. Weight the pros and cons. And think about your own needs, not just your grandmother's and brother's.
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Ms. Tanner:
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Okay. I'll try. Doctor Balis?
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Dr. Balis:
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Yes, Rachel.
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Ms. Tanner:
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I've had eight pull-free days.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm?
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Ms. Tanner:
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I haven't been pulling my hair out for eight full days.
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Dr. Balis:
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That's great. I'm pleased to hear that.
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Ms. Tanner:
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I'm taking it one day at a time. But once I got going on not pulling, it was easier to keep it up.
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Dr. Balis:
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What do you think lead to your success?
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Ms. Tanner:
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I'm thinking about Gram leaving and having to get my act together. I've also been feeling pretty puny about myself. All I need is a little success to get me going. Maybe the medication helped me refocus, I don't know.
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Dr. Balis:
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It's possible.
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Ms. Tanner:
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Well, I guess I should go now. Thanks for talking to me. I really hope I can make my next appointment--which would mean that I'm not sick anymore! When would that be?
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Dr. Balis:
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If you want to keep your sessions on Fridays, then next one would be on November twentieth. Does that work for you?
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Ms. Tanner:
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Yes, I'll see you then. Thanks.
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Dr. Balis:
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You're welcome. Goodbye, Rachel. Keep up the good work.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Telephone Call
Transcripts of Rachel Tanner's Communications
