I was very confused about the terrible sickness and hurting I was going through. I couldn't eat and got sick at the smell of food, which is very bad for a waitress. Then, I was late and figured out why I was sick. I went looking through the phone book for a clinic nearby but quickly found out that I had to either have insurance to be seen by a doctor or go to the college to go to a clinic. I only had to go about thirty miles away to find a clinic though. The ladies there were really nice, too nice at times it seemed. I was hoping to be able to take the pill instead of the surgery but the ladies said I was too far along which I thought was weird. The lady that told me that made me cry but another lady came in and explained it better and reassured me that the procedure wouldn't hurt that bad and I could take pain killers and all that.

The next week I requested the weekend off so I could go through it and have time to recover. The day I went in was very crazy and hectic. All the girls working there were very understanding and helpful though. I opted for the shot to numb all the pain, which helped greatly because I'm terrified of doctors and anything even called a 'procedure'. I remember a sign being in the room that said: "77% of anti-abortion leaders are men. 100% of them will never become pregnant." Made me a bit upset that so many guys want to stop women from having children so badly. Anyways. The lady that was in the room to hold my hand and help me breathe through the whole thing was fabulous. Even though I think I might have been scared enough to say no a couple times, I got through it. After it was over I went to the little waiting room with a couple other girls. I got a bit sick because of the shot earlier but otherwise felt no pain and didn't even bleed or anything. I was quite amazed at this one girl that got done after me but was up and ready to walk home on her own, it was like she was physically unfazed by it. The after care girls were great as well, very professional. When I got home, I slept and was just glad it was over with because I know there is no way I could ever handle having a child.

When I went for my checkup a couple weeks later, I noticed pamphlets for NARAL. I grabbed a few and went home and signed up on their website. I try to do whatever I can to help fight for our right to choose. I was upset that I wasn't able to make it to the march in DC but I watched it on TV and felt proud to just be a woman with all the supporters that were there. A few months ago a friend told me about her unwanted pregnancy and I mentioned the place I went to. I told her that the shot was very helpful in numbing pain and all the women there were really nice and helpful. She thanked me when she did it because otherwise, she wouldn't have known where to go. I'm thankful that so far, women can still get safe abortions and I hope that continues for a very long time.