And God, I wish it weren’t so expensive. When I was inpatient, I saw so, so many people struggling economically and psychologically, which is a killer double whammy. I was lucky that when I was at my worst I had fantastic health insurance and savings to cover my butt, but now, barely able to keep myself in Zoloft in fish oil (much less therapy), I can more clearly see how inaccessible anything other than the standard allopathic med regimen is to the vast majority of peeps. Especially in Oregon. Sweet baby Jaysus, don’t get me started on mental health in Oregon.

Broodmother — I enumerate just how extensive the expense in part II. It’s humbling, to say the lease; an exercise in examining the privilege I have that I was able to afford it (or have others afford it for me, I should say), and even that I had access to those resources in the first place. I am unceasingly aware that not all are so lucky.

I’m trying to think of what I would have wanted to hear when I was in that phase. Although to be honest I thought I was there repeatedly before I actually was; I thought the meds were enough, then I thought the meds and therapy were enough, and… well, that’s another post.

I think what I needed to hear then was just that it was possible. Stability is real. And it is oh so worth all the work and the cost and the sacrifice. It really is.

Thank you for writing your story; I’m already taking comfort from it, and I’m sure many others will as well.

I want to understand.

Carolyn