Throughout chemotherapy, I saw in action, the tremendous heart of my neighborhood, who supported me by providing meals and treats 2-3 times per week. Neighbors whom I previously would only acknowledge in passing, became best of friends and we still regularly talk, walk and support each other. I also appreciated the tremendous variety of food delivered that I've learned new recipes and meal ideas to jazz up our mundane recurrent dinner plans. In addition to fabulous neighbors, I received a considerable number of prayers, thoughts, cards and gifts from patients, friends, colleagues and relatives. I cannot say enough about how much it brightened my day to hear and see the support of the fantastic people in my life.
Many people have asked if my insight as a patient has made me a better, more empathetic doctor. Well, I'd like to think that I was always an empathetic physician. However, the insight that this journey has provided is more that death is less daunting. Chemotherapy is hard. I know that through my blogs, I sometimes downplayed the toll that it takes on one's body, but chemo leaches energy, jumbles thoughts and diminishes people's spirit. While I feel that the Lord protected me, by surrounding me with wonderful people daily, not everyone has that fabulous support system. If I was 20-30 years older, I don't know that I would have gone through all of this. So, I respect people more, who choose not to endure chemotherapy. In addition, I hope to provide support to my friends, family, neighbors and patients when/if they have to go through anything similar.
Most importantly, my heart is filled with tremendous gratitude--not just today, but every day. While I've always counted my blessings and reflect regularly about all that God has provided in my life (while running), I feel the depth of His love even further after this journey. I don't sweat the small stuff (as much). Being cut off by another driver, the scheduling snafus at work, the slowdowns of the computer, or delays at an appointment are just little opportunities to reflect on how bountiful my life truly is. My heart is filled with gratitude that I'm given another day to share my happiness with others and that rather than getting hit by that car, he just cut me off; rather than leaving that appointment on time and getting caught in an accident or traffic, it allowed me time to figure out a confusing situation; rather than rushing to finish my charts, I'm able to leave a supportive comment on a friend's Facebook post; and that break that was left open because of a scheduling snafu allowed me to see a sick child brought into the clinic instead.
Life isn't predictable, but it is perfectly orchestrated. God provides us with ample opportunities to shine our light on others and for this I am thankful. May God bless you all, on this Thanksgiving day, and bring you a heart full of gratitude.
Each day I am thankful for: Nights that turned into mornings, Friends that turned into family, Dreams that turned into reality, and Likes that turned into love.
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~ William Arthur Ward
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| Some of the many gifts showered upon me, by friends, patients and coworkers. I am truly blessed and thankful for each and every one of them. |
