This past Monday was quite a day. I should have known it would be a fitting beginning to another step forward in the healing process. I woke up to the windows rattling, and rain pelting against the glass. It was the kind of day best served not opening your eyes at all, but rather a day where you pull the covers up over your head and sleep in.
I returned from driving David to the bus stop. Soaking wet… umbrellas aren’t very handy when 50 MPH winds are mocking you. After the garage door was closed, the wind whistled between the open gaps and made an eerie sound. I fully expected the house to lift into the air and be whisked to The Emerald City. Then, a brief roll of thunder- weird and unexpected on a January day in NJ. As I drove to meet Anne, (not her real name) my therapist, it was raining buckets.
Lovely.
It was a mostly one-sided conversation… her getting to know me. When she did speak, it was kind, and deliberate. After she got the big picture as to why I ended up in her office, she stopped and said… “I want you to know I do understand your feelings. I myself experienced primary infertility, and after 7 years of heartache I stopped treatment and I adopted my little girl a few years ago.”
Pin drop.
and then, a big sigh of relief swelled up in my body.
This is someone who understands, who “gets it” AND can help me.
I didn’t even wince writing out a check at the end of the session. Although it does feel a little weird to be PAYING to talk to someone, and even weirder trying to sum up my failures in 45 minutes.
Curiously, when she gave me my receipt on the way out I noticed it had a field for my insurance company (NOTE to self- figure out if I can get this covered) which had a hand-written note:
Diagnosis: Adjustment Disorder
For five years, I have been “unexplained” in the realm of infertility. Talk about an open-ended diagnosis. It mocks you. It provides no explanation other than the unexplained. I am my own mystery. We will sooner find truth to the existence of aliens in space before we ever find out what happened to me.
Forcing that part to the side and looking at that new text left me with a thought…
If I am having trouble adjusting to my new life, then that certainly means that there will be a time when I can make peace with it and not carry the label to my grave.
This part of my healing is temporary and doesn’t define me.
At the end of the day, I am okay with that.
BagMomma 
Sounds great! Seeking help in coping takes a lot of strength. My hat is off to you.(A funny/related note: our marriage counselor also specializes in adoption counseling. I thought "oh great, she'll understand infertility!" Um, nope. The other day I was talking about not being able to use my own eggs to get pregnant. "Why?" she asked. "Did you run out of them?")
I hate that diagnosis. That is also what I had- at elast at first. But after trying for so mnany year, my unexplained infertility turned into advanced maternal age. Now my first diagnosis is so "yesterday." No doctor would want to risk their great pregnancy stats with my old butt.
what a relief that you found someone that basically had you at hello. **hugs tight**
So glad you're talking to someone. I think it will help you loads. Hard to find a good therapist; I hope this one turns out to be just what you need.
Wow, sounds like a great match. As always, I am impressed and amazed by your strength, your attitude.
Love it. My therapist too "gets it"–she had 2ndary infertility, with 8 years between her first and second child. And I do like her diagnosis of your current situation–I believe mine was "life crisis" when I first went. Sounds about right as well. You're making some great strides in the "right" direction, momma…
Woot woot! Hooray for good therapists who listen more than they lecture, "get" what you're going through, and help you find the label for your diagnosis. Hugs!
Now that's fortuitous: a therapist who actually gets IT! Very cool. I think this will give you some valuable feedback because it's immediate. I hope that makes sense.
You should certainly be able to get at least part of the sessions covered and what a blessing to get a therapist that understands your situation!
Good for you. A very smart choice. I bet you will get a lot out of talking to her.–MM
I think this is a great step for you.. only good can come out of it, right?As for the weather, I kept B home. I wasn't going out there.. it was CRAZY. We made pancakes instead.
wow – it is so great you found someone who sounds just right for you! and i like that diagnosis – adjustment disorder. sounds just about right. wishing you peace.
Wow – I have been fantasizing about going to a therapist of some kind, I'm just so bitter and annoyed all the time. How did you find this one? And how lucky can you get – obviously this is meant to be. I hope she can help you, wish I was closer to NJ!Take care –
I'm SO happy that you've found someone you can talk to, AND gets it!Not just "gets" it, but lived it.((HUGS))