Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW Help for parenting, family life, relationships and individual issues: www.yoursocialworker.com, He/Him All services are provided using ZOOM.

Working from my home in Keswick, Ontario, I provide a range of counseling and conflict resolution (peacemaking) services to support people and their relationships.

Arlene and I are on a hot date at one of our favorite eateries. No expense spared.Don't judge!
03/30/2026

Arlene and I are on a hot date at one of our favorite eateries.

No expense spared.

Don't judge!

03/30/2026

I am a good patient. I follow my doctor's guidance.

This is important.

If one dabbled or doesn't follow the guidance or prescription as directed, it is difficult to impossible to figure out what next if there is no progress.

Some folks lie about their following the guidance or taking medicine as prescribed. This can lead to improper treatment recommendations as the new directives will be built on the lie.

The only way to know if a treatment or mediation is working as intended is if it is being administered and used as intended.

Of course not all treatments actually do as intended and as such adjustment or change is required.

Adjustment or change is based upon the information and response of the person treated. This requires honest communication by the person treated.

Our health, particularly when ill, requires a collaboration between the person treated and their treating clinicians.

Outcomes tend to improve when treatment is collaborative and coordinated.

At the ecentre of that is the patient whose responsibility for their healthcare is as important as those acting on their behalf.

Be honest.
Take medication as prescribed.
Follow your treatment regime.

Your health, your responsibility.

03/30/2026

In the early fall a regular blood test showed kidney disease. It was slightly into the range to be deemed positive, but it was there.

A followup blood test a month later was the same. At the same time, I had elevated blood pressure.

To go more easily I tried a medication that facilitates urinating as well as lowers blood pressure, but typically slightly.

My blood pressure dropped and continued to drop daily with each dose. It was then too low. I discontinued that medication after five days.

Given the blood tests I next had a kidney and bladder ultrasound. The results were negative, meaning no disease was found although I have the kidneys of a 70 year old man.

Given my family history which included my dad having atherosclerosis requiring the arteries in his legs to be reamed and given my prior bypass surgery, I was sent to have my carotid and femoral arteries scanned by ultrasound. Happily negative, although and again, the arteries of a 70 year old man.

Finally and because of a family history of kidney and bladder cancer I was sent for a cystoscopy. Happily, that too was negative. Yep, that 70 year old thing.

Last night (yes, Sunday night, at 10:00 pm) I received an email from my doctor with the results of another followup blood test from last week.

My measure for kidney function is now in the normal range (as is my blood pressure).

The last six months has been a roller coaster ride of health concerns and investigations.

I got away lucky... this time. Remember, I did have a quadruple bypass 3.5 years ago.

We are mere machines. Human biological machines. Parts wear out. Eventually the machine can no longer function. No one is exempt.

Consider routine inspection and maintenance.

No machine lasts forever, however we can extend the life and function of the machine with proper care.

Our healthcare system is under siege in Ontario and where we have other conservative governments. It has definitely impacted access to service.

As a recent heavy user and frequent flyer of the healthcare system, I couldn't imagine having to pay or having no access whatsoever.

We need a healthy and educated population.

Take care of yourself and let's see that others can still be taken care of too.

Did I mention I was 70? Each step of the way I was reminded. I was being told the parts are working, but aging... one day they will quit.

I seek to prolong the time....

03/30/2026

My world.

In my world you can be LGBTQ2+.

In my world inclusion is the norm.

In my world people are safe.

In my world we don't use faith to legitimize hate.

In my world we don't vote for political parties that include policies that discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender.

In my world we understand that race has played a role in terms of access to resources and where we see to make right our historic wrongs.

In my world we seek to support and help those who are disadvantaged such that they can live with dignity.

In my world people have access to education delivered appropriate to their learning needs.

In my world people have access to timely healthcare with no additional costs beyond what is gathered through taxation.

In my world we seek to level the playing field and facilitate inclusion and do so recognizing which groups have been privileged and which have been systemically disadvantaged.

My world.

A parent, now grandparent, sent me a message saying she came across an article that had been of value to her.She has kep...
03/29/2026

A parent, now grandparent, sent me a message saying she came across an article that had been of value to her.

She has kept it for years.

She read it through and incoming to the end, realized that I had written it.

She sent me these pictures of the article. If you click on the picture and zoom in, it is readable.

Seems it's still relevant...

This little boy enjoyed a run at the dog park with his friends earlier.Now it's his joy to just snuggle up and have a sn...
03/29/2026

This little boy enjoyed a run at the dog park with his friends earlier.

Now it's his joy to just snuggle up and have a snooze.

Sidney is all about the love. Sweet boy.

03/29/2026

Being depressed and/or anxious is like treading water in the deep end of the pool. Surviving can be exhausting.

Then, if someone does a cannonball into the pool, you fret about being engulfed and drowning.

Medication is like pulling the plug from the bottom of the pool, draining at least some of the water.

If enough water drains, you no longer have to spend energy treading water.

If then someone else does a cannonball, the incoming wave won't engulfed you. There is less or no fear as a result. You can manage.

That is the benefit to many of medication. It's like lowering that water level so you can save energy from drowning and no longer feel overwhelmed or at least feel less overwhelmed with new challenges.

It doesn't work for everyone. It does work for most.

If there are side effects, they typically subside in two to three weeks.

Medication must be taken daily as prescribed. It takes this kind of medication a good four to six weeks before you truly feel like the water in that pool has been reduced. It's not immediate so hang in.

There is much negativity directed towards medication for various reasons. Statistically, those issues pale in comparison to the people who experience relief, for some, life saving relief.

Speak with your doctor. See if medication can be of value to you. It's about no longer feeling like you are drowning and being able to manage the waves that may come your way.

(Please note that negative comments and stories will be deleted as well as comments that spread misinformation, aren't fact based or promote alternative remedies.)

03/29/2026

You can beat yourself up for falling for the narcissist, or you can feel good about yourself for escaping their grip.

Stick with the latter.

You don't need to carry on their behavior against yourself.

03/29/2026

When those about you lose their way, be their light.

When those about you lose their calm, be their calm.

When those about you lose their spirit, be their hope.

When those about you cannot cope, be their strength.

When those about you doubt their worth, be their love.

Be there.

03/29/2026

If you are a newer follower, say from at least the past year or so, you likely haven't met my mother.

She and I posted many videos we made together. She was wise and active until passed away in December 2024, at 100 years of age.

In this video at age 97, she discusses ageism and advises to never underestimate a senior. She was one bright woman whom I loved and admired dearly.

Sometimes you just need a dose of my mother, so I reshare one of her many amazing videos...

Some days are extra special.This afternoon we attended a surprise 70th birthday party for a lifelong friend and this eve...
03/29/2026

Some days are extra special.

This afternoon we attended a surprise 70th birthday party for a lifelong friend and this evening we are at a 60th birthday party for more recent friends.

In both parties we are surrounded by old time friends. It is such a pleasure to get together for positive events.

Happy Birthday Patti!
Happy Birthday Dave!

FYI, I am the designated driver tonight. Still, dancing to the groove....

Check out tonight's cake!

Address

Keswick, ON

Telephone

+19056284847

Website

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Hi folks. I work from my home in Keswick, Ontario. People can see me in person or through video conferencing worldwide. I provide a range of counseling and conflict resolution (peacemaking) services to support people, families, relationships and children. Need help? Please see my services and fees on my website: www.yoursocialworker.com