by Dan
This afternoon Jenna and I had the opportunity to sit on a discussion panel for Postpartum Depression survivors. Every so often Jenna gets to serve as spokeswomen for care and treatment of PPD. I was thrilled for the opportunity to go along with her and share our story together.
Hearing friends met through a PPD support group share their story again was like hearing it for the first time. We cried, laughed, winced and agreed at all of the right moments, because though their story was different it was still our story. The story of surviving one of the most hellish trials that life could ever bring a family. And those of us on the other side share a bond that few other occasions can make and find community that few ever experience.
Talking about the past almost five years of our life is getting easier. I found it amazing to hear myself telling strangers PPD’s toll on our marriage complete with our lack of communication and all but vanishing sex life. I shared about how the first few months of each of our children’s lives are a blur. I shared about an unwanted pregnancy that resulted in the most precious little girl that we needed at just the right time. These moments just came out as part of our story. I later realized that I don’t even think about the words anymore; they just come out.
I’m thankful that we’re nearing the end of PPD, finally. I’m thankful that for some reason we’ve chosen to tell our story and not let it control us forever. I am thankful that through sharing our pain, God is bringing healing to others. I know that it has nothing to do with us. It is God’s strength made perfect in our weakness. They are God’s words when ours fail to come out. It is God’s triumph over sickness. And God’s love that keeps us together after all these years.
John and I talked about how much we could relate to your story! Even though PPD struck us differently, the feelings are so similar…..The extra food lasted us throughout the whole weekend!!!
We sure know how to clean up!