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Tornado

I may be a dentist, boss, mom (who doesn’t have it all together but tries), passion for surgery and many things that involve the logic and analytical part of the brain. Many people know that I am also very creative as a musician, artist, and writer. Since I don’t have a ton of extra time these days, and the stress piling up, I can’t go bang on the piano keys for stress relief. I will again soon. Rather, I’ve turned to my writing. I can’t quite say pen and paper because I don’t always have it handy, but writing nonetheless.

I’ve always enjoyed writing. I write poems and songs, journals and tributes. Tonight, I’d like to share what’s on my mind and in my heart about the past couple of weeks. I even debated on which profile I should put this, personal or dental, because they overlap.

The emotions came running back as I pulled up to the hospital to see my Grandpa for what we figured would be the last time. I remember on the drive up, a portion of my drive was the same as when I had to drive like crazy to be with my Dad before he passed. PTSD. I got to the hospital, spent some time with family, and got to hear him say, “I love you” to me one more time. I remember looking at my Aunt Julie hopeful, like, “did I hear that right?” She almost knew what I was thinking, nodded and smiled. That was 2 weeks ago today. My beloved Grandpa passed away 3 days later while Travis and I were at a couple’s event that was basically our first (almost) date night since Milana was born. He is very missed.

Next was the visitation and funeral arrangements. I didn’t have much part in that, but I offered to play and sing a song at his funeral. His visitation was planned the following Friday, 3/6/26, 4 days ago. While we were there, we got word that there was nasty weather in our area. Our tornado alerts were all going off. Suddenly, the funeral home director got us all to their safe room, and they lost power. We were all kind of chuckling, like, “Really, Grandpa, don’t you want people to come to your visitation?” I had contact with Travis, who was working at our office at the time. All of a sudden, his texts got more concerning. He said, “Saw the tornado” followed by “Bad!!!” and “Well, the office is half destroyed.” I called him immediately, and he mentioned just walking over my mom’s office door. I got her on the phone quickly and she walked him through finding the insurance policy. When we were released, I somewhat lost it. I was calling anyone and everyone who could possibly help us, along with a couple friends for support. Everyone was safe, and that is the biggest thing.

The funeral was nice and more predictable, though we couldn’t bury him due to tornado damage at the cemetery. The days up until now have been somewhat a blur, though. The night of the visitation, it stormed after the tornado and we had family, friends, some employees and spouses, and Servpro come to get the office patched up. We had significant damage, destruction, and devastation including needing a new roof, windows, and siding along with water damage causing the need for some new walls, flooring, ceiling, and some equipment. Cars in the parking lot are either totaled or quite damaged with blown out windows. We’ve filed an insurance claim, walked through with the adjuster, and been meeting with various contractors. Equipment repair and IT met at the office and have been able to assess and remove the items from the office prior to demolition of the affected areas. Bills and payroll don’t stop, and patients still need to hear from us and possibly get some care. I’ve been updating on Facebook and got it on our website so far.

Fast forward to today. My mom stopped by to drop some stuff off and I told her, “Our brains are like computers. You know the error when you’re running out of space, that you can buy more, see options? That’s me, I’m at capacity.” The weather has been humid and odd all day, and I sat outside this afternoon and noticed how calm it was. The calm before the storm - we’re expected to get more severe weather, very large hail, and possible tornadoes again tonight. As I began writing this, I got the notification for a tornado watch in our area. Earlier today, I began prepping to sleep in the basement and possibly lose power for a few days. I carefully put new batteries in flashlights and travel clocks, did laundry, showered, filled water bottles, called insurance, grabbed vitamins, my purse and things for the evening. Thankfully, I wasn’t at the office at the time it got hit, but I’m still experiencing shock and possible PTSD from just the aftermath and seeing what is possible from the storm, and steps to go through afterward. I can’t imagine Travis and our team members and patients that were there at the time. Now I also have my family and kids to worry about as severe weather comes in again tonight. I’m praying we are safe, no more damage is done to the office, and none to our house.

As I was eating dinner, I just cried. Our city, our little community and the surrounding communities haven’t even had a chance to recover mentally or physically from the tornado and we’re in danger again. It’s so difficult. I will have Michigan Storm Chasers on tonight and pray we and all of our loved ones are unaffected. Please stay safe, everyone. Tough times don’t last, tough people do, and this too shall pass. God’s got this. ❤️

Can we please change the societal thoughts around dentists?

We had 4 years of undergraduate education, 4 years of graduate education and earned a doctorate degree just like medical doctors, then the choice of residency after school. Our specialty is in the mouth/head/neck.

We learned the entire anatomy of the human body. We learned physiology. We learned about bleeding disorders and autoimmune diseases. We learned about pharmacology and we are prescribers. Dental school teaches nutrition, and biochemistry. We are required to stay up to date with CPR training and CE credits.

We learned all of this because more often than not, a disease that someone may have or medication they may take can affect the oral health. Contrary to popular belief, the mouth is very much a part of the body. So much of Hollywood has jokes and jabs that dentists are not doctors. People have told me in person I wouldn’t know something. And sure, some things are out of our scope of practice but almost always we were either once taught it, or have been exposed to it. Education is gold. I am tired of being looked down on, but I have 9 years of education after high school.

Then, I continued my education and one of my many tasks was learning and understanding the extensive medications and medical history of each of our inpatients in the hospital, along with dentoalveolar surgery, biopsies, trauma cases, classes, observing and assisting in the OR and being on call.

Sorry that we do not study or treat problems with your feet; that specialty is podiatry. Nor do we have extensive knowledge about your eyes; that is optometry. Cardiologists study the heart. Neurologists study the brain. And then there are dental specialists, who had even further training after dental school. My passion is in oral surgery, though I chose to continue as a general practitioner. That requires undergrad, dental school, oral surgery residency, anesthesia, general surgery, and medical school in some residencies. And they are still often called the dentists of the hospital.

It may be inconvenient to go to a dental specialist sometimes. They are extremely intelligent and literally specialize in what they do. There are strong, grown men that can be brought to tears either the pain of a dental problem or procedure. Dentists are doctors. Let’s work to change the stigma and the thoughts. Do better. Be better.

Behind

Have you ever felt behind in life? I do, every day. I was the last of my close friends to get married, but yes my older brother is getting married this year, one year after us. I am 30 and don’t have children. Sometimes I think I’m young and we’ve already bought a dental practice - but ope, many of our classmates have already done that, too.

Honestly, I don’t see any advantage of being first - to finish a test, to be married, to have children, to own a practice, to start a career and start investing. If anything, we learn more from the many others that have gone through it first.

Yes, I realize I am a professional woman so it has taken longer since I had other priorities. However, there are so many people, and other professional women - most younger than me - that are currently pregnant for example. Many dental school classmates are pregnant or have already had children. Friends and family are pregnant. And ones that hit me hard are when I find out someone is pregnant without trying. It is incredibly hard because I am thrilled for these mothers to be, and yet I am sad that we are not yet there. I even get to be an aunt soon! But it does not feel like anybody understands because it is not talked about much at all. Men and women both view it as an embarrassment. As a side note, I am absolutely sick of people (patients or strangers) asking me if I have kids yet, or, how about this one - you *still* don’t have kids?

But I once read a children’s book about a tortoise and a hare. Remember that one? Also, I learn more from other people and situations. And finally, it’s all in God’s perfect timing. When I shared this with a friend who has been through tough times, he said that I’m not behind at all, I’m just working hard and doing things right. I know that comparison is the death of contentment. I’ve heard before that if we all write down our problems and put them in a bowl, we would choose our own problems. So to myself and anyone reading this, stop the comparing. Whether it’s the size of our paychecks, body, trips, problems, house, car, etc. Quit looking at yourself in the mirror with disgust. We are all perfectly imperfect and beautiful in our own way. Stop comparing your path of life with others. Everything happens for a reason and in God’s timing.

Big Step

April 14, 2022

As I sat on the sofa, tears slowly started to roll down my face after signing the documents electronically. There were so many mixed emotions running through my head. It took me back to the time I was accepted into dental school. I still remember the exact place, waking up to the doctor’s phone call, accepting me into the dental school class. I knew I was sad, but little did I know how my life would change. I sat on the sofa tonight with that same feeling of sadness and worry, disliking that I had to do this, but knowing in my heart that it was right.

My husband and I agree that we wouldn’t have taken this big step if we were alone and didn’t have someone by our side doing it with us. I think both us and my parents were expecting something in person to close on the practice, similar to closing on a house, but it was sent electronically instead. There was no peak of excitement or time leading up to it, like there would have been if we had to drive somewhere. I got home from church worship practice and signed the emails. It was convenient, fast, and done before we knew it, fitting with our society today.

The zeros added up in my head, and the vivid memories from childhood returned of my parents worrying and discussing the practice. I told myself I did not want to be in the same position, but here I am, still so young and before I even hit 30. I asked myself in my fourth year of dental school and in my OMFS internship, “When did I get old enough to have someone’s life in my hands?” Now I’m thinking, “When did I get old enough to have so much money owed?” Ironically, we are in the middle of a Financial course as a couple, and now we’ve added so much more in loans on top of mortgage and private dental school student loans, with only a few clicks of the mouse.

It is a well fitting job for me. I get to share my knowledge and I still get to enjoy surgery, on my terms and cases that I choose. Travis and I have different strengths, interests, and knowledge, and can bounce questions and ideas off each other. Artistic skills are necessary, especially in the front of the mouth, but also everywhere in order to make sure the bite is right. I get to know my patients, and I care about their lives. We have the ability to change a person’s life in multiple ways - whether it be from a previous bad experience, getting someone out of pain, educating, or changing a smile.

This was the path down which I was led by God. I can not and will not take credit for this; it was not my idea to have this job. He is the one who gave me my personality, talents, and intelligence, but it is also through my parents. Sure, I did my part - prayed, studied hard, learned all I could, and applied in the first place. I’ve spent many years and countless hours of testing, listening to and attending lectures, reading books, stressing, looking up information, and furthering my education. We have so much more to grow and learn, though.

Like everything else in my life, I will take this and use it for good. I will make the most out of this opportunity. I will care for, appreciate, and listen to my team. I will help my patients and always take time to listen to them and educate them.

I pray for wisdom and guidance. We have multiple, amazing people in our lives guiding us, including my awesome parents and other business owners in town. I pray for trust from team members/employees and patients. I pray for peace and success. I pray for good health. I pray for kindness and goodness in humanity. We will live with intention, laugh on purpose, and love our jobs and people. With God’s help, a new chapter begins.

Edit from 5/25/22

Then my mother tells one of our reps, Amy, something similar to what I was feeling. Amy decided it was something that did deserve celebrating, and offered to bring champagne after work for a scheduled date (which was today).

The entire team stayed for a few extra minutes to help celebrate with my family and me - my dad stopped by as well since he was the seller, and everyone was there. We all celebrated and drank champagne, and Amy also brought some delicious cookies. Even one of the long time, well-loved hygienists was helping keep me occupied while I stood back from Amy opening the champagne due to PTSD from when I severed my nerve. And then jokingly, I drank a big gulp of my champagne, and she pretended to tip it up and made me laugh. Well, it went everywhere, and I’m fairly certain it went all over her. And once it started, I couldn’t hold it back. Needless to say, I was crying laughing at the whole incident. It was great having everyone with us. We spend so much time at work and with each other. They may be employees, but they are team members and (mostly not actually related, but a few related) family.

Thank you to my patient today who made me feel like I am enough, and I am worth it. Story time:

My third patient this morning was being seen for a limited exam due to having a problem about 4 weeks ago. He said while he was at his winter home, he got pain on the upper left, but was wondering if it were from his sinus problems. He reported the dentist he had originally gone to evaluated it, reported there was a root fracture, used a “pick thing” and said, “See? Right here!” She told him the only option was an extraction, which the patient scheduled for but had to come home due to a friend’s medical emergency and did not have it extracted yet. He came to us to complete the recommended treatment.

My assistant and I got busy working and completing an evaluation. After taking a radiograph, I wasn’t seeing anything wrong or any signs of the symptoms he was having. All teeth had crowns in that area, and all but one had root canal treatments completed and no sign of infection was noted. I used said “pick thing” and got relatively healthy numbers in that area, indicating healthy gums. If there were a root fracture, this is an indicator because all of a sudden the probe drops down and we get a large number. What was I supposed to do now? There was no reason for the pain that I could find, even though I believe him that this happened. Also, I agree with the other dentist in that if there is a root fracture, the tooth is not able to be saved and the only option is to be extracted. But I don’t know what tooth to extract.

I explained my findings to the patient, and recommended that we don’t do anything as of right now since I do not see a reason to have pain. I will not jump into a tooth removal which is permanent, based on a diagnosis that was not my own and not finding a reason for it myself. This is unethical and I refuse to take out a tooth for no reason, especially when I don’t know which tooth to extract and it could be the wrong one. We talked about how we know dental problems do not get solved without treatment, and if or when it comes back and shows it’s ugly head again, we would be happy to take another look and deal with it at that time. The patient smiled and reported that this is why he wanted to come get it checked out again and hear our opinion because it all seemed rushed and there was no explanation at the other office.

I felt bad charging the patient for an exam when I did not find anything going on with these teeth, so I put it in as a consult which is free of charge and the radiograph which is not very much. When I told the patient this, he asked, “Aren’t you and your assistant here working, and you aren’t going to charge me? I mean I’m glad to not pay, but that isn’t right.” I told him that I felt bad since we couldn’t find anything, and this was just out of the kindness of my heart. He insisted on paying for our time, expertise, diagnosis (or lack thereof today), and second opinion.

We got talking about finances a bit, and how he used to work in the Admissions Department at a local college and thinks our country’s system with student loans are sad and lacking in knowledge for students. I shared with him that I have more than what many people can fathom in loans, especially since I attended a Private Dental School, and we also recently bought our house and the business. He asked me if I knew what I was getting into and thought about long term effects when I went to dental school. I honestly answered that I did somewhat but I did what I needed to in order to live while also going to school, so in a way I didn’t have much control over it.

He was so kind. He was so honest. And he did not have the same deserving attitude and mentality as many other people have these days, when in reality nobody deserves anything. Whether he realized it or not, he had a big impact on me. I am sitting here tonight still reflecting on the day and his genuinity. We, as an office, get torn down so often - basically every day - by patients who are quick to yell and slow to listen or understand the situation. And money is many times the root cause, expectedly. I suppose I shamefully fell into the trap of thinking many patients will react the same, angry that I could not tell them what they expected or wanted to hear, and not wanting to pay.

My job is to help people with oral health for their systemic health, prevention and dental problems, and to be professional while doing so. He came to me right when I was feeling like there have been so many problems, and that I was just not good enough, smart enough, or worth it for many people. He spoke life into me, reminding me that my job is important, I do a good job, and that I am worth it. He knows that we have overhead, staff to pay, materials that cost, and the cost of the education of everyone behind it all. Please know that words that you speak to your health care providers do make a difference, both the bad and the good. Be kind, be patient, be eager to understand.

Good Friday 2022

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11

April 15, 2022. Around noon today, I met my worship pastor and friend, Dustin, at our church so we could practice a few songs together for the worship team. We were close to finishing, when our associate pastor, Jamey, opened the door. This man was the pastor who married my husband and me, and is an inspiration to everyone who knows him. Surprised and happy to see him, we all talked for a few minutes. I invited him to sing the last song with us, which was Gone by Elevation Worship. As we all sang at the top of our lungs, (thanks, Dustin), I took in the moment. There was only one guitar and the three of us, friends I am proud to know, praising God together. Then, we talked some more, Jamey shared some knowledge and great wisdom, and he pulled at my heart strings. I also got a text during this time from my mom that funds have been transferred and we are now official owners of the dental practice. This is exciting and terrifying at the same time, and also happy and sad for my parents. I am not sure if I am an empath, but I have always been one to feel what others feel, feel deeply, and empathize with others. Both Dustin and Jamey were a blessing for me today, and I was headed on my way.

As I was leaving the church, I went downstairs and walked through the American Red Cross Blood Drive to leave. What better day to give blood, than on the day that our Savior had his blood shed and died for us? I asked at registration how it worked and if I could give blood. We went through the registration steps, and a lady named Paula took me to a corner and continued the questions and workup. Due to life circumstances, I was kindly declined at this time, but I am so glad I tried to give blood and I will certainly do it in the future.

Next, I went and got lunch, and then picked up a few groceries at the store. I had one more stop on my way home - the dental office to get a few things we forgot to bring home yesterday. It was eerie pulling up, the only car in the parking lot, and knowing this is the beginning of a new chapter. I went inside, grabbed my items, and left. Driving away, I saw a plastic bag wrapped over a branch of a bush near the front door. I stopped to grab it, and noticed it was a thorny bush. I carefully removed the bag from the branch and the thorns, and all the while I thought how appropriate this was, considering the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus’ head in a taunting manner on Good Friday.

On my drive home, I kept singing in the car and praising God. Finally, I am home, and I am simply exhausted. It was quite an afternoon, 3 hours and 45 minutes to be exact. It was a fun and a good afternoon, but one full of emotions.

Here’s to small business owners, the beginning of new chapters with mixed feelings, and remembering the meaning behind what today represents.

Lord, thank you for all of the blessings you’ve given us. I grieve that the pain, torture, and sorrow You endured on the cross were necessary to save humanity. You didn’t want us enslaved to fear, anxiety, or sin—so You sacrificed Yourself so that Love could win. “It is finished” was a cry of victory, because You defeated everything that held us in captivity. Show me how to share Your love and use me to reach the world You died to redeem.

Genuine Thoughts

Another year passes by with no wonderful news or announcement from Holly about matching into OMFS. Match day this year just passed, and the occasional question of if I am still pursuing OMFS is asked. It is a question that requires only a simple yes or no answer, but to me, this is a loaded question. Let me explain.

Back up to when I was in dental school. I went to dental school for the whole purpose of doing oral and maxillofacial surgery. I tried to keep it a secret, because deep down I wondered if I could even make it happen. If I didn’t, I would feel like a failure. Eventually though, it inevitably came out that I was going for OMFS. My whole dental school class knew, and I grew okay with that. I owned up to it because, yes, that was my goal. When I didn’t match, I happily accepted an internship at University of Florida. I was sad that I didn’t match, but I knew being an intern only meant hope and opportunity for me.

Then came my internship. So many emotions previously and still flow through me when I think of this year - happiness, excitement, depression, anxiety, frustration, exhaustion. I had happiness because my co-residents and attendings treated me well, and I’m forever grateful. I was overjoyed that my curiosity and hard work made me a published author. Excitement was from the possibility of my future in this field, and simply seeing, assisting, learning, and doing aspects of my dream career. Depression and anxiety were from once again not matching, my health concerns, and wondering about the future. Frustration was from not learning what I wanted to learn and should’ve been learning that year, as well as not matching ONCE AGAIN. However, it wasn’t until the end when it was realized that I wasn’t being taught what I should’ve been taught - and it was too late. And exhaustion, somewhat self-explanatory if you know anything about being a resident - working nonstop (65+ hr work weeks not including the nights you work being on call), sleepless nights and passing out basically anytime I got the opportunity, just making it through.

Note: Ironically, every surgical resident last year had to attend a sleep health lecture, which they made us lose an extra hour of sleep for, and pagers were constantly going off in the lecture - it was pretty entertaining.

Man, did I need a Psych resident, or to talk to a therapist. But I didn’t have time.

When I completed the internship, my goal was to work as a general dentist part time, study and take the test once more, apply and go through the cycle again - this time knowing I would match. My best friend told me that insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results but ending up with the same, but this was not insanity yet to apply again - it was persistence.

I took a part time job with a specialist as the general dentist helping out at that office. I learned at that job, oh, did I learn. The cases were difficult for a beginner, the patients hated me and did not trust me, and my self-confidence had never been lower. After six weeks, I decided it wasn’t the best fit for me and we went different ways. My loans were starting and my bank account was suffering. Eventually, I found two wonderful part time jobs which I work at now.

When I started each one of my jobs, I found that I did not have enough time or energy to study like I should have been if I were going to seriously retake the test that I needed to take.

I also looked at everything that has happened with my health. I went from being healthy and occasionally having a checkup with a PCP to having 7 specialists (still with no more answers). I’m doing as well as possible, but a part of me knows that the incredible amount of stress, lack of nutrition and exercise, and the lack of sleep last year all may have contributed to my situation.

I also started doing the math in my head for the number of years it would take, and my age because, I am a female and dream of having children. But I am only getting older. Unfortunately, we females have a ticking time clock that males do not have to worry about the same way. Now, maybe some women can have children during a residency (OMFS residency at that) and provide a wonderful life for the kids, but I am not in a situation feeling confident that I could do my best in a residency and still give my all to children.

And lastly (but certainly not least!), I considered my family. My father has been working by himself for far too long, has a busy practice, and cannot find an associate for help. He cannot continue that for too long. He needs help, for his own health.

Am I continuing my pursuit for OMFS? Simply put, no. But does that mean I am a failure? Absolutely not. I am making a choice. I had to choose between my dream career and my own health; my dream career and a family; my dream career and my family’s health.

So I’ve made a choice. It breaks my heart to not choose my dream career. But I asked myself what I love about OMFS, and most of my passion can be done in the clinical setting while taking CE courses and doing it as a general dentist. I also am grateful that I have experienced and learned the extra experiences and knowledge that I did not get in dental school, so that I may help my patients.

So I choose me, I choose my health and my happiness. I choose to have a family. In my heart, I can feel that I am supposed to be a mom and raise children. I choose my own parents and their well-being. I choose the quality of life that I want. This does not make me a failure because I know I would match and become an oral surgeon if I kept trying, but I choose me, and that is far more satisfying.

In the end, we all have our own paths. We all land where we are meant, and this is my landing. And I will rock at being a general dentist.

psych2go

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6 Signs You May Be Too Hard on Yourself

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Careers do not define your identity

Your work does not define you. You could be a neurosurgeon, teacher, president, astronaut, engineer, janitor, car salesman, dentist, physician, nurse - this is not who you are. You could have even had the same job for 30 years, but it is still not your identity, it just may have a stronger hold on your identity. Maybe some qualities of you might lead someone to believe it makes sense, or doesn’t make sense, but this is not your identity. You are you. The definition of you is in your personality, your beliefs.

Our values and truths are the only things that should define us. I read that having a good job is not the only success. At first I thought, “well what else?” There’s quite a bit more - overall it’s the outward expression of our inner self. It’s your values, how you treat others, how you treat yourself, your dreams, what you love and what makes you happy.

It has taken me a long time - too long - to come to this realization. My wonderful, supportive, dear parents have always told me that I can do whatever I want if I put my mind to it, throughout my childhood and to this day. This is true, to a point. I truly believe that I can do whatever I want if I put my mind to it and it is in God’s plan for me. I wanted to make a great career for myself, have a family, and be able to help my family with said career. I excelled in school, went to college, studied hard, am now a doctor of dentistry and I have made a title for myself. I am a dentist. However, *I* am me. It’s so easy for us to meet someone and one of the first things we ask is what they do for a living - especially when asking males, but also when speaking to females. It may give us an idea of who they are, but it does not define them. People won’t typically remember us by the job we have, but by the way we make them feel.

Careers are only something we do, not something we are. Sure I am a dentist, musician, and artist. But I am kind, intelligent, empathetic, creative and passionate. I am a hopeful glimpse of light and an imperfect daughter of God.

Our careers are something that makes others quick to judge. Whether for the better or worse, it’s easy to jump on and judge others due to their careers. But we don’t know their backstory, or if it is temporary or permanent. We don’t realize what they have maybe had to give up or overcome in order to get to where they are. And those that do not have jobs or careers, typically have a reason and it is not permanent. And shout out to stay-at-home moms or dads - those are careers themselves, and hard and rewarding ones at that. My mom stayed home to raise my brother and me while my dad was trying to provide for the family. I know that was not easy, and I am forever grateful.

Whether you or someone you know or love needs a reminder, just know that our careers do not define us. We should not let them define us and not strive for success *only* from our career. Treat others kindly and with respect, be nice to yourself, and know that there are many other factors that make you who you are.

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.

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Not often do oral surgeons see the same patients on multiple occasions without something “wrong” - and especially not oral surgery interns. However, I recently had the opportunity to see 2 patients whose cases I have been involved in throughout their time.

General dentists are typically the ones in the dental field who will have a patient family throughout a majority of their lives. I will admit that it was nice to be consistent in their treatment. I have been the one “constant” for them when there have been multiple moving parts to each of their journeys for various reasons. For both of the patients, I was the one who saw them initially. I was the surgeon for one of them, and was the person on call after the surgeries which means I almost immediately saw them both afterwards. I then saw them in clinic at the multiple follow up appointments to see how they were progressing.

It was recently potentially the last time I saw them both, unless either of them have issues and need to come back for an evaluation. A portion of me was sad to see them go, but another portion simply felt fulfilled. I did my part. I helped both of them, whether I was the one to do the surgery, or not. Even just being there for them throughout the journey is crucially important. As the patient, it is important to see a friendly face that they recognize. It brings a sense of calming to them, especially in unknown situations. That’s what I provided.

At the appointments today, both families were very grateful. We were shaking hands and there were “thank you”s all around. The gratitude made me look toward the future, when hopefully I will provide this to my own patients. Although this afternoon was chaotic, I had a sense of peace knowing we helped these patients tremendously, and I had a vital part in that.

completeculture-blog-blog

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2018: a year of self-understanding and self-acceptance; a year of learning; a year of suffering, doubts and fears; a year of hope, joys and victories; a year of studies and planning; a year of direction; having no idea what the next year, month or minute holds but trusting God, his plans and promises. everything is going to be okay.

2019: you may come you will reap the rewards of 2018 and I can not wait to live it.

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michellepsychologist

😁

cwote

Life has a funny way of working itself out. You will be okay.

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