Sunday August 7, 2005
Update on I need advice post
Prayers are being answered in rapid succession. She opened up to her dh last night. He was very supportive. (very good…I was very worried about this and was not anticipating him being supportive). After that, she called her mom, then her grandma, and now she just got off the phone with her MIL. Her MIL (who was somebody she was particularly afraid to tell) immediately offered not only support, but told her she also went through PPD. She is buying her Brooke Shield’s new book. Her mom reminded her that she had a therapist (from when her mom and dad were going through their divorce) whom she really clicked with and suggested she go see him again. She is going to go see him and her MIL is going to watch the kids. She is hoping to be able to do this weekly, for quite a while.
I don’t know what I said to her, really. I was praying the entire time I was talking to ‘please give me the right words’ and wasn’t terribly aware of much I was saying, but it must have been spot on. She is getting help. She is building a support network. She is going to see her long-time doctor (that has previously helped her with anxiety meds) to see about going back on the medicine to get her through at least for a while. She knows this is a long term thing and is scared, but facing it head on.
I am literally crying for relief and happiness. It is an awesome beginning. It might be rough going along the way, but she said she was in a much better place now. (I made sure she was still planning on getting counseling…I didn’t want her to have the “I am better, so I don’t need help any more type thing going on…she is very much planning on getting counseling, so I was relieved)
This might make me a terrible person, but I am so thankful that there were others there to help carry the bulk of the load, because I did not feel like I was in a place mentally or physically to be somebody’s sole support for such huge issues right now. I can still be here, and be back-up, but it isn’t going to need to be all on my shoulders.
I just saw the post at MDC. WOW! I can totally sympathize with that mama, I know what it is like to feel so out of control and alone. I know you don’t think you did much, but just being there and opening up yourself/heart to listen to her was probably all she needed to have at the moment. It kicked her into gear. Maybe it was just knowing that you were understanding and sympathetic instead of harsh and angered when she told, is what made her feel comfortable telling her family. You are a good mama, and obviously and good neighbor also.
P.S. We will soon be living in Wichita. The countdown begins. October 3rd is our closing date on the house.