Hey T...

Thanks for being a sensible buddy and affirming you really don't mind using your authority as a psychologist to help me if I get dismissed. I hope you liked the tea bags I gave you.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll get effective pain meds and a referral if appropriate. I also hope your suggestion for my other upcoming medical appointment works.

Being assertive feels so "wrong" given how I've been taught, but those who taught me that are heavily invested in me believing them, over reclaiming my self worth and autonomy.

So many years of needless pain due to inadequate medical and psychiatric care. I wish I had understood earlier just how wrong particular people in my life were, and that their words of "caring", "common sense", "familial love" and "friendship" really didn't match their actions.