Contentment washes over me at present as I watch my daughter play, a sense I wouldn’t have acknowledged only a few years in the past. Again then, I used to be in a relentless storm of challenges. I struggled with infertility and the grueling technique of IVF remedies. An ectopic being pregnant resulted in emergency surgical procedure, and for almost 5 years, I carried the load of being separated from my mother because of work, journey bans, visa functions, and the calls for of IVF. 
It was throughout the pandemic that my mother fell in poor health with a relapsing mind tumor. The guilt and helplessness I felt being oceans away was insufferable. As my sister shouldered all the things alone again house, I used to be right here within the U.S., miles away, attempting my greatest to help my mother throughout chemo classes as her situation deteriorated.
Months dragged by with no chance of getting a visa appointment. Then, in November 2021, in what appeared like a blessing from above, I secured a visa appointment to journey to India. Little did I do know this may turn into probably the most heart-wrenching time of my life. A number of days earlier than my flight, I found I used to be pregnant — my coronary heart hovering with the considered sharing this treasured information with my mother in particular person! However the emotional storm was removed from over.
As soon as I landed in India, I confronted a life-threatening scenario because of an ectopic being pregnant and was rushed into surgical procedure to take away my fallopian tube. Whereas recovering from my being pregnant loss and going through the diminished possibilities of conceiving once more, I noticed my mother. Although her once-sharp thoughts had light into shadows, I discovered a bittersweet consolation in merely holding her hand, speaking to her softly, desperately hoping my phrases might nonetheless attain her. As I ready to return house, destiny dealt its cruelest card — she was rushed to the ICU and handed away on the very day I used to be meant to depart. I’m not one to imagine in superstition, however in my coronary heart, I couldn’t assist feeling that the universe had in some way stored her holding on simply lengthy sufficient for that last goodbye.
This was a really darkish and overwhelming interval in my life. I used to be grappling with immense grief whereas additionally having to rehome my beloved cat of six years. It actually felt like I used to be shedding everybody near me. This was all an excessive amount of to course of directly.
However by way of all of it, there was one vivid mild: the superb help I acquired from Cisco. My supervisor at the moment was nothing wanting a guardian angel. She went above and past, accommodating my chaotic schedule as I juggled work calls from parking tons between fertility appointments. She labored with HR, making certain I might take the time I desperately wanted to be with my mother. Within the midst of such darkish occasions, her unwavering help felt virtually surreal — a uncommon mild of kindness that allowed me to prioritize what actually mattered: my bodily and psychological wellbeing and people treasured last moments with my mother.
Even after experiencing unimaginable loss, Cisco’s compassionate tradition continued to uplift me. Once I miraculously grew to become pregnant naturally in 2022 and transitioned to a brand new function, my new crew, together with cross-functional colleagues, rallied round me with distinctive help and adaptability throughout my being pregnant. They have been extremely compassionate as I discovered new processes, gained information about provide enablement, and created new life inside me. My present crew is the #DreamTeam. All of us have one another’s backs, it doesn’t matter what. I fortunately went on maternity go away and transitioned again to work.
The versatile working hours at Cisco are a game-changer in my new motherhood journey. I can steadiness high quality time with my toddler whereas sustaining my profession development, and my supportive crew even welcomes my child’s occasional appearances in digital conferences. This flexibility permits me to tackle thrilling new tasks confidently, figuring out I can construction my work round my household’s wants with out compromising productiveness.
I’m so grateful for the power Cisco’s help system gave me to outlive these darkest of occasions, and I’m proud to be a part of this glorious group. However most significantly, at present I have a look at my daughter’s smile, and it jogs my memory how far I’ve come. Overcoming private challenges generally is a transformative expertise. It’s throughout these intervals of adversity that we uncover hidden reserves of power and resilience. The storm could have been relentless, however on the opposite aspect, I discovered an unbelievable mild — the sunshine of motherhood and the unwavering help that helped me get right here.
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