Kate: I hate that this is the day we learned. But I love who we’re becoming. Thank you for not giving up on us.
Mike: Proud of you. Also, reminder: I scheduled the refresher EpiPen training for next week. You’re welcome.
I laughed softly at Mike’s last line and felt tears prick my eyes.
I didn’t respond right away. I just let the messages exist without needing to fix them.
Later, I met my therapist. When she asked how I was doing, I surprised myself by saying, “Better.”
“Better how?” she asked.
“I don’t feel crazy anymore,” I said. “I don’t second-guess my body. And I don’t apologize for my boundaries.”
She nodded. “That’s enormous.”
After therapy, I went to the allergist for a check-in. My inflammation markers had improved. My body, given a break from constant exposure, was finally recovering. The doctor cautioned me that my triggers weren’t going away, and that caution would always be necessary. But she also said something that felt like a gift.
“You’re managing this well,” she said. “You’re doing everything right.”
I walked out of the clinic and realized the compliment didn’t feel like external validation. It felt like confirmation of what I already knew.