Talk.It.Out

Today was my first day at the new Mental Health Counselor that I have voluntarily decided to go see. His name is Dennis Anderson and he has been in the field for over 20 years now...with an education and degree straight out of EWU. He specializes in many different categories but the one that jumped out at me was Chronic Health Conditions...obviously I relate 100%. When I saw his name on the list and looked up online doing some research about him I was immediately convinced he was the one I was looking for. And after todays visit...I was right. He made me feel very comfortable as soon as I walked through the door...already having the forms out on the small coffee table full of magazines on a clipboard ready for me to start filling out as I was a new patient to him. He came out as soon as he realized I had walked through the door and shook my hand introducing himself to me. Told me the forms were there especially for me and asked if I would like a glass of water. Already I felt welcomed and wanted there. Not an obligation but somebody he was eager to meet. He was dressed casual yet professional at the same time...giving off an easy going vibe of some sort. Dress shirt not tucked in nice slacks dress socks and dress shoes. My guess is he is in his late 40s early 50s and was genuinely happy to be there...he loves his job it radiates through his attitude. His wardrobe reminded me alot of my uncle Kenny (moms brother) just comfortable with who he is and easy to talk too. Now first I want to go back to the beginning for a second...trying to find a place to park downtown spokane is ALWAYS a pain in the ass. Not to mention in this location especially. His office is located on Riverside and Lincoln in whats called The Great Western Building which is connected to the old Review building just to its right. Lets just say there are no parking garages or lots within a few blocks of this place so meter parking it is and trying to find one at 1:30pm on a weekday is literally impossible. Once I did find one however a block or two away I was willing to walk a ways by that point anyway...it was the closest I was gonna get haha. Once I found the right door to enter it was like walking into an old museum of some sort. Its one of the many buildings downtown that has yet to be remodeled into a new age look. Floors are either hardwood or tiled and have never been redone since it was first built. There was a circular stair case that went up to each level with metal railings all the way up and metal bars around each level in a unique pattern for decoration I assume. The elevator buttons were not push buttons they were light up ones that lit up at the touch of your finger and the car itself was probably the most recently built object in the building. Each door leading to one office or another was old wood that was shined with simple numbers on the outside telling you what suite was what...and the door handles were very old and heavy with decorative indentions on them. It looked like they locked with one of those old keys that were long and had the weird end to them. Once inside his office it became a bit more modern but not too much...the furniture went with the look of the building as was eligant yet comfortable!! I loved the pillows they were very soft and squishy!! haha. It looked as though the doctor had decorated accordingly with the unique antique-ish look the building held. I was intrigue by it all. I loved it. I felt like I was walking through another time and it was fun :) Anyway...Dr Anderson was great. I really opened up to him and let it all out. I dont think in that hours time span I was able to tell him EVERYTHING I wanted too but enough to give him an idea on what I am looking for as far as his assistance. He just so happens to be a Professor out at EWU as well...in the psychology department!! So guess who has him as a teacher for his stress and coping class this fall?? haha! That would be my brother :) And he is going to love him I am so excited for him because after one visit I really like this man. He is so comfortable to be around and I feel like I can really open up to him...I know Bret will really enjoy him as a teacher. And boy does he need all the help he can get!! haha so this should be a positive thing!! Upon leaving my visit today which only lasts an hour or so we set 3 goals for me for this week until I see him next Tuesday...A) go swimming at the gym at least once B) vent as many days as possible in my blog C) and get out of the house at least 5 times during the week. Those seem fairly simple and I am determined to complete them!! We set goals after every visit. The biggest thing I took away from the doctor today was when he said this to me..."acute illness such as the flu is easy to put life on hold for a few days to recover...chronic illness is not that easy. when you are chronically ill you cannot put life on hold and expect to get better you must simply continue living your life in incriments...only doing what you can tolerate but still doing it none the less." That makes a whole lot of sense to me...I am thrilled to start this new way of life :) Its amazing what a few words will do for you if you really let them in...♥