August 3, 2023
I saw the psychiatrist yesterday morning. He’s the one who heads up the Olympia TMS clinic. I’m on my fourth round of TMS in four years. I keep doing it because it works, until it stops working.
“So, you have some interesting scores this time. I’m not sure what to make of it,” he began. “Is there something going on that’s different this round?”
“Just the usual. My mother. I'm her caregiver. She’s 85, deaf, and she has dementia. It’s a constant struggle. Unrelenting. Up until two months ago, I was getting away two days a week, I was dating a fellow in Portland. But that ended. And so now it’s 24/7 and I’m not managing well.”
He was typing throughout, I assumed taking visit notes. Then I heard the printer. He swept up the printout and handed it across the desk to me.
“$47 a night Airbnb in Olympia,” he said. “I can write you a prescription for respite if you need it. Although I doubt your insurance will pay.”
That made me laugh pretty hard, and for quite some time. We laughed together. The guy has a fantastic sense of humor, and he really cares about my well-being. I am one lucky woman to have found Olympia TMS.
I Persevere. And life goes on.