Two Great Pediatricians, and two things I needed to hear
Evan had his well child check today. I know I haven't mentioned it, but I absolutely love his pediatrician. He is wonderful. I'm not a huge fan of the clinic (they can be disorganized and difficult to work with) but I'll continue to deal with it to see Dr. Anderson.
Dr. Anderson is a good and competent doctor. But what I love the most about him is how involved he is in his patients lives. We started seeing him just after we moved here and he learned right away that Justin was in residency. We haven't had to see him often except for check ups, but he has never forgotten the situation we are in and often asks how we are doing. Today we talked about the fact that residency is almost over, he asked where we were going, what I thought about the move, and if we would be near family (He remembers we have no family near us now). I talked for a while and he listened. We talked about how busy Justin would be in his new practice, and I told him that my expectations are that it will be just like residency (that way I figure I am mentally prepared if he is that busy, and if it ends up that he works less then it is just a blessing). Then I mentioned something about it getting better, and kind of laughed. He was really honest with me and said it would get better, and it wouldn't. There will be an ebb and flow. It was nice to hear someone be honest with me about life after residency. Everyone wants to sugar coat it and say don't worry you've made it through the tough part. But the reality is that it will continue to be tough after we leave here.
The best part about my interaction with Dr. Anderson though is not his honesty. EVERY visit he prays over and for my children. It is humbling and amazing. I absolutely love it, and am brought to tears almost every time. As we chatted today he had stopped and asked me if I was okay. He said you look.... I passed it off as being tired (truth be told it is a part of the equation) from Justin being gone last week and having to hold the fort down all by myself. He didn't really need to have a counseling session with me then... :) So during his prayer time he prayed that God would prepare a church and friends for us in Tennessee when we moved. I can't tell you how touched I am those words came to his heart. That Lord is what I need there, and what I am most sorrowful about leaving behind...
My second interaction came this afternoon...
I was listening to the Dave Ramsey Show (my financial guru) :) and he had Dr. Meg Meeker on talking about her new book for mothers. After the show ended they had a special online chat with Dr. Meeker where you could post questions and she would answer them. I asked a question, and she answered it. Here is the interaction:
Allison:
My husband is about to finish his residency and start in a practice. We will be moving several states away, and do not have any connections in our new location. Do you have any advice on preparing my kids (ages 7,4 &1), and myself for the move and the changes that it will bring?
Dr. Meg Meeker:
The most important thing when you make the move is to find a community with a good school system and a good church. You should be able to feel as connected in that community as you feel in the community you're in. What is it in your current life that's really important to you? Try to reproduce that in the new community. It's also important to give yourselves some grace and realize you may have some bumpy months ahead, and that's perfectly okay. You'll get through them.
I don't know if that response meant anything to you, but in reading it I feel SO blessed. I don't have to be the perfect mother through this difficult and bumpy transition. And we will all struggle some. And best of all, it's ok. We will make it through!
I knew all of that in my head, but having someone else say it out loud gives me some breathing room...
Okay... Here we go...
Dr. Anderson is a good and competent doctor. But what I love the most about him is how involved he is in his patients lives. We started seeing him just after we moved here and he learned right away that Justin was in residency. We haven't had to see him often except for check ups, but he has never forgotten the situation we are in and often asks how we are doing. Today we talked about the fact that residency is almost over, he asked where we were going, what I thought about the move, and if we would be near family (He remembers we have no family near us now). I talked for a while and he listened. We talked about how busy Justin would be in his new practice, and I told him that my expectations are that it will be just like residency (that way I figure I am mentally prepared if he is that busy, and if it ends up that he works less then it is just a blessing). Then I mentioned something about it getting better, and kind of laughed. He was really honest with me and said it would get better, and it wouldn't. There will be an ebb and flow. It was nice to hear someone be honest with me about life after residency. Everyone wants to sugar coat it and say don't worry you've made it through the tough part. But the reality is that it will continue to be tough after we leave here.
The best part about my interaction with Dr. Anderson though is not his honesty. EVERY visit he prays over and for my children. It is humbling and amazing. I absolutely love it, and am brought to tears almost every time. As we chatted today he had stopped and asked me if I was okay. He said you look.... I passed it off as being tired (truth be told it is a part of the equation) from Justin being gone last week and having to hold the fort down all by myself. He didn't really need to have a counseling session with me then... :) So during his prayer time he prayed that God would prepare a church and friends for us in Tennessee when we moved. I can't tell you how touched I am those words came to his heart. That Lord is what I need there, and what I am most sorrowful about leaving behind...
My second interaction came this afternoon...
I was listening to the Dave Ramsey Show (my financial guru) :) and he had Dr. Meg Meeker on talking about her new book for mothers. After the show ended they had a special online chat with Dr. Meeker where you could post questions and she would answer them. I asked a question, and she answered it. Here is the interaction:
Allison:
My husband is about to finish his residency and start in a practice. We will be moving several states away, and do not have any connections in our new location. Do you have any advice on preparing my kids (ages 7,4 &1), and myself for the move and the changes that it will bring?
Dr. Meg Meeker:
The most important thing when you make the move is to find a community with a good school system and a good church. You should be able to feel as connected in that community as you feel in the community you're in. What is it in your current life that's really important to you? Try to reproduce that in the new community. It's also important to give yourselves some grace and realize you may have some bumpy months ahead, and that's perfectly okay. You'll get through them.
I don't know if that response meant anything to you, but in reading it I feel SO blessed. I don't have to be the perfect mother through this difficult and bumpy transition. And we will all struggle some. And best of all, it's ok. We will make it through!
I knew all of that in my head, but having someone else say it out loud gives me some breathing room...
Okay... Here we go...
posted by Allison at
11:44 PM
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