Yesterday was one of those crazy days. It was one of those days where I sit back and reflect and wonder, “Is this my life? Is this REALLY my job?” I saw a patient who flew literally half way around the world to seek care here and then I met the most beautiful and vibrant young girl who at the age of 5 is embarking biggest battle of her life. As I introduced team member after team member to the family of this young girl, I just kept thinking, “Wow, look at this team. Look what we can accomplish together.” (Side note: All team members that day were women!)
I’m pretty sure I decided I wanted to be a doctor when I was around 12 years old. I actually told my brother that I wanted to be a psychologist and he told me that if I wanted to do that, I should just go ahead and go to medical school and become a psychiatrist. I can remember standing by the buffet in my childhood home and saying, “I don’t think I’m smart enough to be a doctor” to which he promptly replied, “of course you are.” You see, my family is nothing short of amazing and my older siblings are pretty high achieving. Like a lot of younger siblings I looked up to my older brothers and sister and wanted their approval in most things in life. The fact that my brother (who is 7 years old than me) BELIEVED that I could be a doctor, quite honestly changed my life. I think we often underestimate the power that we have to influence those in our lives. I looked at that beautiful young girl yesterday and I showed her my hearing aids and my “fancy” stethoscope that allows me to do my job despite a very minor disability and she looked at me in wonder. I let her listen to my heart and then to her heart and her eyes lit up with amazement and I just wanted to freeze that moment in time and hold onto it for a second longer. I don’t know how her story will be written, but I know she has so much life to live. I hope that she sees that I believe in her the way my brother believed in me.
In this New Year, let us lift each other up and encourage and support each other. Let us be the good in the world that I know is out there.
#morethanfour #ChildhoodCancer365
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