Sunday, April 27, 2014

Changing Sponsors.

Over the many years I've been in Al-Anon, I have rarely changed sponsors, and apart from one other time, the changes have been a result of my having moved to a new city. This time, I decided to get a new sponsor when I went to see my sponsor and told her that the cancer had returned. I was in tears and very upset. She first told me that it was God's will, and then to "look on the bright side."

To say I was astounded, wouldn't be stretching the truth. I was gobsmacked. I don't happen to believe that our Higher Power is the agent of our sufferings - I believe our HP is there as comfort and support and encouragement during those times, but I don't think certain people get singled out for cancer, or any other disease. I think that it's genetics, and the randomness of nature. And, look on the bright side? What exactly is the bright side of cancer having returned?

I was not happy with her response, but apart from ducking a few of her phone calls, I hadn't quite decided what to do about it. Then at the last meeting of our home group, which my sponsor chaired, after we'd all gone around on the topic, she asked us to go around once more and talk about "what we could do to cheer ourselves up for the rest of the week." When it came to me, I passed.

She wouldn't accept my passing, and began asking me "What about such-and-such? Wouldn't that cheer you up? What about this? What about that?" I was stunned, because never in 29 years of Al-Anon meetings have I seen a chairperson refuse to allow a member to pass, or begin hounding them like that for an answer.

I managed to say again that I had nothing to say, thank you, and she finally went on to the next person, but I was livid.

I shot out of the room the moment the meeting was finished, and to my great gratitude, Robert was early, waiting there in the car to pick me up, lovely wonderful man that he is. I talked to him about it, and then yesterday, I talked to someone else who is a long-timer in program, without breaking my sponsor's anonymity, but explaining what had happened, and how I'd felt.

Through speaking with her, it dawned on me, that all along, since the first cancer diagnosis, I'd been feeling like my sponsor wasn't validating or acknowledging my feelings of pain, anger and sorrow. I don't know if she can't handle my feelings about it, or perhaps her own, but whatever the reason, her behavior has become less acceptable to me as time has passed, and I've been trying to deal with it.

Talking to my friend yesterday, I understood that with major surgery coming up in only 12 days, I do not need the hassle and stress of a sponsor who will not accept or validate my feelings. I need support,  love and encouragement. So I told my old sponsor last night that I was going to look for a new sponsor, then called a woman I respect and enjoy and asked if she would sponsor me. She was warm and receptive and agreed happily. We meet next Wednesday for coffee, and I'm looking forward to it.

I'm not angry with my old sponsor, I think she was doing the best she could. As with so many of us, if we know better, we can do better.

In a while, I will be walking down to the finish line of the 10k run/walk in which Robert is entered with some friends for the walk. I want to be there to cheer him on when he comes across the finish line. He has been cheering me on the whole way of my struggle with cancer, and I feel blessed and  grateful for him.

I want to thank all of you who have been supporting and encouraging me with your comments and emails. It means so much.

9 comments:

  1. My prayers go out to you along with big hugs. I sincerely hope you will be OK. I am in Ireland.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, I really feel for you, having an Al-Anon member, much less a sponsor, not respect your desire to pass. I feel like one of the blessings of the Al-Anon program is that we have a safe place to feel our feelings, and we can take what we like and leave the rest. I'm glad you were able to let it go, and realize this sponsor is doing the best she can, but she's probably not what you need right now. You've written a good reminder that we can't help anyone by trying to force them to agree with us.

    Hope the 10K went well, and you were a great cheerleader today. I appreciate your honesty in the struggles, and hope the new sponsor is a breath of fresh air.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's tough when someone you have shared with turns out to not have what you need or the shortcomings become too much. I realize that my new sponsor is not as available to me as my first one. And I also realize that I have grown in my recovery in program so I don't need as much from a sponsor as I once did. I'm glad that you have found someone who will be there for you and support you at this difficult time. Knowing that a person has your back is an incredible thing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been reading but haven't commented....although I thought I did, which is alarming! LOL
    I am so sorry about the pathology report. Really, so very sorry. I am glad that you are strong enough in yourself to take such good care of your own emotional needs by finding a new sponsor. If there was ever a time to take good gentle care of yourself, now is it. You are in my prayers and thoughts. <3

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are very much in our thoughts and prayers here in South Carolina. Thank you for your words that help me so much...

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hope you are doing well. Thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for posting about this. I find it really inspiring that in the midst of what must be an emotionally difficult time you have the presence of mind to realise your current sponsor is not what you need right now. I think I would have trusted myself less and started doubting myself and thinking, but maybe I should look on the bright side of things, and maybe it's me who is wrong, but your belief in yourself and knowledge of what you require around you right now to support you, and your ability to go out and create the best nurturing environment for yourself is a really good example to me. And I hope it leads to good things for you. Thank you for writing so honestly about what you are going through, and continuing to provide a shining example of the power of al-anon and the ability for people to change. I am thinking of you and wishing you continued strength and pockets of happiness where you find them in your tough times. Much love.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We are not perfect and it seems your sponsor is just doing her best - but it is not what you need so maybe a sign to change. I have made several untactful remarks at meetings as I was not thinking and was relieved when those on the end of them forgave me. I learnt a lot from it. I hope you are okay and getting the help you need. I have had a medical setback recently and I need all the programme I can get at the moment so my heart and prayers go out to you. I am so impressed you can continue to write your wonderful blog.

    ReplyDelete