A substitute for Ralph

Yesterday afternoon, Thursday, I went to have my acupuncture done. Mr. Ralph was on holidays, so there was someone else to do the treatment. A woman, named Breda, from Dublin.

Last week, when Ralph told me he would be away this week, he seemed a little cautious. It was as if he thought I wouldn't be able to deal with someone else doing the treatment. He said that she wouldn't have to discuss anything and that she would just do the basics and that I needn't worry.. Okay, fine. Not that the thoughts of someone else sticking needles into me, was worrying me anyhow.

Thankfully, she was so nice. We had a chat before she started the treatment. She asked about my energy levels and how I was sleeping. She was cautious as to how far she could go with the questions, as she didn't really know that much about my background. We were talking about how I was coping eating what I had to and it was inevitable for me not to tell her more about the condition. She didn't really know that much about it as she had never treated anyone with an eating disorder before.

It was so strange, because it was probably the first time I'd spoken to a complete stranger about it and feel so fine about it. She gave me compliments, telling me how well I was doing and even asked me if I feel on top of it all.. It was weird to answer and not feel guilty. But I told her, that I do feel on top of it and that I am dealing with it.

She told me that she has a friend who is obese and needs help badly. She asked about Diann and the therapy. Even though she had never treated anybody with an eating disorder before, she did know that obesity and anorexia can be triggered by the same underlying issues. She was so impressed with how I'm doing and the positive effects the therapy is having on me, that she's going to try get in touch with Diann's colleague in order get her friend the therapy she needs.

There was also an article I was reading in the waiting room, a week ago, and the magazine was still there. The article was written by Diann's boss and it was on eating disorders. It was such an inspirational article that I wanted to rip it out of the magazine and take it home with me. But I thought that might be a bit cheeky. So I left it behind. Yesterday I showed Ms. Acupuncturist the article which had all the encouragement she needed to help her friend find the therapy she needs to get better.

I felt so good, afterwards. I don't know why.. Maybe it was because I was able to talk so openly about where I am right now, or maybe because I felt so good that I'm getting better or maybe because I'm proof that therapy can sometimes be the only solution to an illness and that it does pay off. Or maybe it was because, last week, I didn't take the article home with me, but I left it there and it was doing the work it was meant to do and influencing the people who needed it more than I do..
A combination of all these reasons shows how far I've come..Today I'm allowed to admit it, so I will.. I'm not sure if I'll be allowed tomorrow.. But for now, it's fine.

I'd just like to add, Breda wasn't only impressed with me, but also with my Mam for helping me so much and knowing what the best thing was for me, when I started this journey in my muddled state of mind.. xxxxx for you mam..because she's right..