It was amazing to wake up to a beautiful morning, with the temperature cooler than the night before, the colorful sunrise poking through the apartments and a cargo ship sitting on the bay.
We are staying in Kalamaria, about a 10 minute drive to the clinic or a 30 minute walk. It is a beautiful neighborhood with apartments stacked to the sky, lots of parks, and a short walk to the ocean. It feels safe and it is lovely to sit up on the balcony and people watch. The city seems to wake up around 8:30 and then rest during mid day, but around sunset is when people come outside to play at the park, go on walks at the beach, or go to the grocery store.
We have made a couple trips to the grocery store, somehow it is pretty obvious we are not Greek. As hard as we try to speak the language as soon as we pause at a question they immediately switch to English – which I appreciate but how do they know?
Today was also the first day we went to the IVF Clinic – Newlife IVF Greece. I was nervous about this. After everything that has gone wrong so far, would this be another one?
We took a taxi to the clinic, a shorter office building off of a busier street. The enterance is along the side. We walked in the main doors and took the elevator up to the second floor. The building is clean and very modern. When we entered Newlife’s offices it was a very warm atomosphere. We checked in at the front desk and sat down in the waiting area.
The office has warm-hued furniture and unique art pieces that help to pass the time. A ship made of tree bark. A small golden statue of a mother swinging her child in the air. A painting of African women. The art, and the army of plants they have serve to make it a very welcoming environment.
After sitting for about 5 minutes I looked up and saw Jenny – our International Coordinator. She recognized me from a distance and waved, then ran up to greet us with a big hug and a welcome.
It was amazing. After feeling like an inconvenience to the American Clinics I went to, this was a completely different reaction. I was welcomed and cared for. I could have cried right there, I was so relieved.
Jenny took me to get my blood drawn – this is required in Greece to test for STI’s and blood type. The whole time she was asking me about our trip and Kai and explaining to me what was going on. She was like my designated advocate and friend – and I am so thankful for Jenny.
Walking away – I feel so much better. Everything about this place is completely different from every nightmare experience I had in the States. This is the place I want to partner with during this extremely intimate process of preserving eggs and eventual IVF.
Now, we will wait to go back until the first day of my cycle. Until then we will do some sight seeing and hopefully learn some more Greek words. The nice thing is I can do all of this with the peace of mind knowing I am in the right spot. I am working with the right clinic. This will be okay. Thank God for Jenny.